n when Maya noticed the

bout, the faint sound of music from the kitchen radio, even the rustling of the garden staff-gone.

heard the first echo of heels. Sharp, measure

erate and unhurried. Maya peeked over the

was

tor

ned every tile of the floor. She wore a tailored cream coat over a black sheath dress, her long auburn hair cascading down

h, to melt into the wallpaper. She had heard the rumors-seen the worry in the butler's eyes when her name was

, but Maya noticed the tension in her jaw-calculated power.

al vases in the gallery, Maya found herself f

" Victoria said, her voice

r, not making eye co

is standards." Her tone was cr

she didn't react. She had learned

ting Maya the way one might examine furniture. "You're... pretty. In a plain sort

he words stung. She fought

advice, dear. Don't confuse opportunity for belonging. You're temporary. Repla

n her heel and walked off, her p

less for a long t

the study only to discover he had left for a late dinner meeting. There

, needing air. The estate loomed behind her like a for

s presence could shatter it. The kindness Alexander had shown her, thei

ge of white roses and l

near the gues

of the fading light-but then she saw i

Most of the guest rooms hadn't been used in months. Only Victori

the corner

id-twenties, tall and sharp-featured, her hair pulled back into

stinctively, and the

e said, as if she

mach dropp

l. Victori

nt a chill

ere was no warmth in

achel said, walking closer. "Yo

nd, looking for a

chel said. "But you should know

anything," May

d her head.

ot anger. Not jealousy. Something more delib

continued. "This house has a history of

aya, disappearing into the d

uncertainty. Victoria's return, Rachel's eerie presence-it all

ver. She stared at the small framed photo on her nightstand-her mother, smiling, her eyes

ground was slipping f

er like she mattered. But what did it mean in the face of history? In the face of women like Vict

ht, a folded note

or several seconds

g was elegant

ast wing balcony.

art sk

xan

before-not like this. And the east wing had been

aper, torn between

it

it some