Clara's mind raced with confusion—hadn't James made it clear he wanted to keep her pregnancy hidden from his family?
"Did Mr. Lancaster send you?" she verified again.
The butler gave a polite nod. "Yes, miss. I'll wait outside whenever you're ready."
Pushing aside her doubts, Clara quickly washed up, threw on yesterday's clean clothes, and hurried to the waiting car.
An hour later, they entered City S's wealthiest district, pulling up to an imposing white mansion. The butler opened her door just as the villa's grand entrance swung wide.
A silver-haired woman in simple gardening clothes strode out, peeling off muddy gloves before grasping Clara's hands with a bright smile.
"You must be Clara!"
Though the woman looked to be in her seventies, her eyes sparkled with vitality.
"Grandmot
