she couldn't find the words. Her mind raced through shame, panic, and d

, and he clarified, "One of the stewards said there was some

ly, trying to hide her fluster. He doesn't remember, not the ki

d to disappointment. W

to keep her tone light. "Um... that w

all make mistakes, but if anyone bothe

rse," she re

rge left, he still felt like their interaction w

weeks la

sed by routinely with work, the usual jokes and jabs from the m

ne's eyes on her, tracking her movement. What's going on? She t

ns, she heard snippets from

aving the west wing. Near his

e thinks her mother's spotle

e quickening. What? Did s

she hadn't heard them, but the hum of rumor had quickened to a buzz. She quickly finished her

ss her face. "Cathy? You look like

ything from Isla. Sitting down, she whispered, "I need to tell you somethin

yes never leaving Catherine's. "I

rself for days. "Remember that day I acted weird at the break

you weren't fee

s room. But before I could leave, he..." Catherine paused for a moment, trying to steady hersel

her mouth. "Omg! Doe

le. "But someone may have seen me leavin

re vultures. They don't already like you, so they would say anythin

ut she couldn't shake off the fear.

ed, solem

e sat across from his mother. Queen Charlotte had heard the rumor

ady gaze she reserved for th

hings about you and one of the maids. You know that

"Rumors, Mother. T

tched, always judged. If you give them a reason to talk, it will become an accusat

"Mom, there's no truth to those ru

ll visible. "Be more than careful. There

uffocating normalcy. Catherine tried her best to

ements and the daily assignment rotation. Mrs. Harrow, th

ed. "Everyone here is trusted to keep the

place at improper hours. I don't want to know if this is true or not, but there will be no favoritism, no taking ad

urn toward her. She pressed her hands to her apron

keep your head down," she whispered, "It'll blow ove

nce. But she caught Daniel, one of the kitchen boys, watch

he got to her quarters, she found her mother folding some laundry. Elizabeth smile

, exhaustion seeping in. "L

ask if you're not comfortable telling me just yet, but I need you to be very carefu

meone knocked on the front door.

the person said, pressing

friend in the market, and this wasn't her handwriting. E

ad made her

k, was a single line: "I