I dove into sorting

eed, stacking them into neat piles until my fingers ache

u really handing

the ink-stained pages,

these don't belo

t as I stood outside the study, surrounded by crate

urning over the estate's manag

n from the veranda, her voice syrupy sweet. "Helena, what's goin

gh Grant's, her tone turning coy. "Grant, if

t her, then n

ilah took full control

sed her new authority to make my life hell. First, she slashed my cour

orcelain she sent my way. Eventually, me

es blazed

's doing this

tash of silver and handed i

omped h

onna let her wa

dow at the swirling

ng. Soon, I'

h wasn't do

later, she

estate didn't even have enough coin

my courtyard, his vo

e all these years? There's not

handed him the ledgers I'

lus of three thousand ounces of silver. If the money'

e pages, his frown dee

a few trinkets. How could I have spent it all? Helena said the accounts were tight when she handed them over. I'

ssion softened

on me, his

left Delilah to clean up your me

st, but before I could speak

ven with a fever, made sure everyone was fed during shortages while she went cold herself,

s gaze shifting

oment, clutched her forehead a

into his arms, t

king back the estate duties." He paused, then a

ed her off, not sparin

laugh es

he mess of ledger

moonflower to D

ing through the icy air. I'd barely thrown on a cloak when he grabb

ank it and