d at the signed agreement on

," he finally said, his voi

g the three women behind. It wasn't a victory,

efore guiding a still-sobbing Olivia out of the

ustrated. She had planted the seed. Now

doorway. He was a tall, thin man with a p

his tone implying she was anything b

a remote side wing of the manor. He stopped in front of a small, dusty r

" Reginald said, not waiting for an

ed, the wallpaper peeling at the

She memorized the layout, the shifts in the floorboards,

tly with a specific contact-"C.S." Connor Sterling. She noticed how Olivia would s

en, pretending to read a magazine. A chatty

h said, trying to make conversation.

d up. "Stu

y need the quiet of her ro

rdly. There it w

o the library. I might be late. Please let Re

e, Miss E

out her tablet. She spent the afternoon reading up on corporate law and modern

r. She used the small service entrance near the garden

a shadow. The house wa

he second floor. She walked down the carpeted hallway to the room that

ver of warm light spille

pped, li

voice drifted out, laced with amusement. "You

nd. "What could she do? She has noth

open. She didn't scream or

ent on the thick rug, and walked bac

door. Light spilled from underne

d. Three s

ward called,

e. She twisted her fingers together, p

y to bother you,"

papers, surprised to see h

bling slightly. "But... there are sounds coming from inside. It

stopped mov

wn at her feet. "I didn't know wh

ysical blow. In his world, impropriety

s chair scraping against

ora followed, keeping a safe distance,

ime. Nora trailed behind, watchin

sounds were clearer now-laughter,

e grabbed the handle a

oom f

e top, leaning close to Connor, who had his arm wrapped ar

ce turning pale. "Mr. Beau

irt, her eyes wide with panic. "D

from Olivia's flushed cheeks to Connor's guil

to Connor. His voice

practically ran out of the room, brushing pas

glare on Olivia.

, head bowed, tears al

the stairs. She felt a sense of profound satisfaction. I

was a knock on Nora

had swallowed a lemon. Behind him

. "Mr. Beaumont has instructed that you be moved

y. "Of course, Regi

agnificent. High ceilings, a view of the sprawling estate, and

door. She walked to the antique dressing table and

of outdated fashion magazines, her fingers

rder. It looked like the kind of thing someone might

button. The screen sta

spreading across her face. She plugged i