Nanny White nodded.
“If he was here, why did he leave before eight?”
Chloe was lost. “Nanny White, why is he doing this to me? I wasn't late, was I?”
The housekeeper’s face returned to its usual wooden mask. “Perhaps Miss Bishop should ask herself—where did you go before coming here?”
In an instant, Chloe understood everything.
Xavier knew she had gone to the Martin estate. This was her punishment.
A wave of delayed terror washed over her. She had been too impulsive; if Xavier had truly changed his mind and called off the deal, she would have had no way to save her family. Standing in the sun was a merciful sentence compared to what he could have done.
“I understand,” Chloe said, her voice soft with gratitude. “Thank you for the reminder, Nanny White.”
Seeing that she had finally c
