They had lunch in the main dining room, and Lord Cole joined them that day. He sat at the head of the table, while Lady Danbury sat across from him. Her girls stood behind her awkwardly, and Adaria was curious as she took her seat between Liana and Regina.
As the maids began to serve the food, Adaria turned towards the girls and asked, “Will you not be joining us?”
“We will eat once our lady is done with her meal,” the one called Lucinda said.
“It’s a show of respect,” Lord Cole added. “They don’t sit at the same table with her, for they are not equals.”
“But we are sitting with her, aren’t we?” Adaria pressed on.
“But your Grace, you are not my equal,” Lady Danbury said. “I cannot hope to even compare myself to you, for you are, and always will be, my superior.”
She inclined her h
