Chapter 7Amélie followed the woman she’d encountered in the study until they reached a well-appointed kitchen.
“Why don’t you sit down?” The woman’s voice was pleasant, but also made it clear that wasn’t really a request.
She settled into a chair as she was told, watching as her apparent hostess put a kettle on, then walked to a cupboard and picked out a pair of teacups.
“So,” the woman said as she put teabags into each cup, “what is your name, dear?”
“Amélie,” she answered. She did her best to keep her voice level. “Amélie Orne.”
The woman put her hand on the countertop and looked over thoughtfully. “I’ve heard that name before.”
Amélie bowed her head. “You are not the first to say so tonight.”
“Mm.” The electric kettle began to whistle, and the woman busied herself pouring hot wat
