t wasn't peaceful, but tense. Clara moved through it with practiced steps, col

usually. But tonight, after the

oths down to the laundry room when she dec

or a m

r first, then t

n she hear

footsteps. Genevieve's clicking heels, Lucien... he barely made a sound, always soft, steady. Cassian's step

wa

like he didn't want to disturb anyone, b

e what she

hoved into his coat pockets. When he saw Clara, he p

earli

Should she? The rules said don't spea

wan continued, easing the turmoil i

ally said, "You didn't have

re never spoken for.

doesn't linger, but something changes. A

. "I appreciate it. And

e he didn't know what to do wit

? The look, or the act

ith pity, not with guilt - jus

question. Maybe she did

between them. Not

inens," Clara said, not wantin

she rounded the corner, she heard

worth... I thin

n back. She only said, "G

rning came

rounds. A gray light filtered through the windows, casti

l. Rowan took his coffee to go and left in a hurry - to work, h

t

was

. No goodby

tly folded apron, sitting on the

e she went, Martha only

plana

war

n the house felt

a. Especi

e she

refully, like a man studyin

worker was now under the rad

was experienced, precise - nothing like Marie, who had shattered a plate ju

dn't

on that morning, whethe

ften working in the garden beside Martha - kept his head lower than usual. Genevieve always claimed M

ves on. But

's off - and worse,

aid, someone

est question was

one els