Celeste’s voice carried through the half-closed salon door.
“A soldier can return to his army. A maid without references has nowhere to go.”
Evelyn stopped before the corner.
A moment later, the door opened. Nora stepped into the corridor with her hands locked at her waist and her face emptied of expression. Lorrain followed far enough to watch her leave.
Then the door closed again.
Nora saw Evelyn.
Fear crossed her face before obedience covered it.
Evelyn did not move toward her.
“Nora.”
“My lady general.”
The title sounded rehearsed.
Two guards wearing Celeste’s household colors stood near the stairwell. Nora’s gaze touched them and dropped at once.
Evelyn shifted until her own body blocked their direct view.
“I am not going to ask what happened in the service room.”
Nora’s
