PHIN

ad it shipped from Sunstone Coast, my new barony. It was to be my birthday gift for Princess Beatrice. It

row furrowed with worry. "My lady, are you sure about th

, my focus entirely on a delicate bra

aid I didn't recognize entered, her chin held

a lazy, insulting curtsy. "My mistress, Lady Miranda Maynard, sends her regards."

wiped my hands on a rag, meetin

ou might need this for the gala," she said, her smile thin and cruel. "She

an old, out-of-style gown of a dull, faded brown

e wanted to remind everyone of my former, supposedl

ith anger. I shot her a look, sil

spect the fabric. "How thoughtful of yo

I was intimidated, that I had no c

ab garment, to the large wooden bin wher

" I remarked, my voice still light.

ief, I dropped the dress into the bin, o

s," I said, turning back to her with a bright, cold sm

rple with rage. "You... you dare!"

nger had to hide, rose to the surface, and my voice dropped into a low, commanding tone.

and slapped Martha hard across the face. The sound was a

hand flying to her cheek

guest out," I

niform and dragged her, struggling and sputtering, out o

iliation, Martha turned and ran,

ing around the corner, carrying a large, s

n straigh

ket of foul, stinking horse manure and dirty st

g stench and Martha's horrified screams. Servants sca

isfied smile on her face. "My lady, it seems

to my coral sculpture, a small, icy smile