ng one hand on the handle. He didn't step inside. He jus
s flat and cold. "The kitchen already delayed dinne
me. I don't know who you are, but I don't belong here. I'm a
slightly like he couldn't make sense of
led the door shut, an
epping closer. "And come downsta
but her throat suddenly locked up. A sudden, deep
, my
fore she could stop them. Mia froze, t
hake in her jaw. He looked her up and down, tur
her face into her hands, gasping for
e so clumsy she dropped it twice before pulling it over her head. The
ed inside, her face pale, checking over her
ng down the back of Mia's dress with fast, nervous hands. "
ay. The cold stone floor bit into her bare
staring straight at the floor as they walke
. "There are guards everywhere. Just keep your
p under a wall torch. "Why does everyone keep
it lost all its color, then yanked her arm free and k
in dark uniforms. One guard pulled the door open, showi
mpty plate. To his right sat an older woman with silver hai
tting down her glass. "Sit down, dear. Y
s left, her knee bumping the table as she
said, leaning forward. "William said y
on his hand, his eyes l
oice quiet across the quiet table. "What
r sudden urge pulled at her a strange impulse to give a sp
" Mia said, her voi
de Clara flinch by the wall. Eleanor's soft smi
ice low as he leaned back. "You don't rememb
d up instinctively, her fingers hitting bare skin. No ne
r son. "The doctor said she took a hard fall when she
id, his eyes never leaving Mia. "She fell onto
aw tightening as she press
ong table until he stopped right behind Mia's ch
ht near her shoulder. "I don't know what you'r
on his heel, and walked out, letti
t her ribs. Across the table, Eleanor hadn't moved e
sn't he?" Elean
oked up
elani spent years learning how to behave at this table. She never sat hunched over, a
heart hammering in her thr
r dress as she looked at Mia. "
s clicking against the stone floor. Near
" Eleanor said, her voice dropping.
t, leaving the doub
es. Clara hurried over, her hands trembling so much she alm
the girl's sleeve. "Tell me.
allway, her chest rising and fal
er fingers clamping tight onto Mia's wrist. "You tried to run awa
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