“Bring in the women.”
The doors opened.
Tessa entered first.
She wore a plain brown dress without jewelry or household colors. Lena walked several steps behind her, accompanied by the female clerk she had requested.
Joanna came last.
She did not look toward Celeste.
Not yet.
The noble benches shifted as the women crossed the hall. Several men leaned together, whispering before a single word had been spoken.
Evelyn remained beside the evidence table.
Her shoulder throbbed beneath the uniform.
She welcomed the pain.
It kept her still.
Tessa took the witness chair and placed both hands in her lap.
The clerk asked her name, former position, and connection to House Morland.
“I served at their southern estate.”
“Why did you leave?”
Tessa looked at Silas.
He sat beside his family
