d entrance of the estate. The driver opened Chloe's door, and she step

ws of the arched port

d perfectly, her posture ramrod straight. Her gaze, sharp and assessing, swept over C

e part she knew Eleanor expected: the humble houseke

th. She glided forward and took Chloe's hand. Her grip was firm, her skin co

rt gave a p

yes searching Chloe's for a reaction. "Such a dreadful thing. But

c preg

eir child. That would imply a flaw in his marriage, a crack in the perfect façade of his life. An ectopic pregnancy was a tr

s the per

fill with a carefully constructed sadness. She g

need to rest and recover. The staff will take your things to your room." She t

ic signal to the entire household staff of Chloe's demotion. She was no l

ast Wing was more isolated, farther from the fam

thick with the scent of lemon polish and old money. "C

n't a

scones. The strong, fragrant steam of the bergamot hit Chloe's nose, and her st

dug the nails of her other hand into her thigh, using

e of yourself," she began, her voice taking on a lecturing tone. "A woman's primary duty is to prov

letto. She was being blamed. Her body, her bac

er her, enduring the slow, methodical dismantling of her dignity. She was cataloging the room's layou

ly veiled criticisms, Eleanor finally st

a dis

out of the room with as much grace as she could muster, her back stra

nd her, she ran for the bathroom. She dropped to her knees before

er mouth and stared at her reflection.

r thought cut th

kin, had inadvertently given her the greatest gift imaginable: a m

g to hide behind it until she was strong en