s the brochure had promised: understated elegance, with soft

ector, a polished woman named Mrs. Evans. She projected an aura of European grace an

folded in their laps. They were the very picture of well-behaved, intelligent chil

s said, her smile genuine. "And your own background is fascinatin

s was standing up to give them a tour of

"Director Evans, darling, I just popped by to d

went rigid. Her breath

She would know it i

ically, she tu

utfit that screamed new money. Her perfectly styled blonde hair fram

d by a mask of pure, uncomprehending shock. Her expensive handbag

cheeks, leaving her ski

er voice a strangled gasp.

ent she had dreaded and prepared for was here. She smoothed a non-existent crease i

olite, slightly

as silk, with the faint, clipped accent she had p

ilah's bizarre outburst, cleared her throat. "This is M

uriosity. "Ms. Reed. Have we met? You seem quite distressed. And I must admit, I'm conf

a concerned, slightly offended bystander, c

eyes, but everything else was wrong. The accent, the expensive, so

professional demeanor strained. "

I'm sorry," she stammered, her eyes darting between Isabela and the

"Did you? How unfortunate for your acquaint

mark. A flush of angry r

r eyes, the stubborn set of their jaws. She saw Fremont Slater looking back

oice sharp with suspicion. "They

me of childish innocence. "Our father is a very famous artist.

erful father. It's so important for children to have a strong, present parent, don't you think?

ndbag and diamond earrings, but her expression w

ur accent is quite distinctive. It has a certain... Appalachian lilt. It's fascinating. I'm research

Southern belle from old money, felt her carefully constructed facade shatter into a million pieces. She ha

had just excavated it all

e went whit

, and turned back to the director. "Mrs. Evans, shall we continue our tour

cape the tense atmosphere. She ushered

old sweat breaking out on her skin