The maid fell onto her knees pathetically. “B-But Madame Brighthall, Miss McKinsey’s going to marry Mr. Brighthall! She’s going to be our mistress very soon, and we… We can’t possibly say no to someone like that! What if Miss McKinsey holds grudges against us—”

“You’re telling me… You cower before her so-called authority while I’m still alive!?”

“Madame Brighthall?”

A soft, quiet voice flitted through the room from upstairs. The older woman turned around.

Deirdre was standing at the stairs,