---- "And what if I did try to pin it on that idiot mistress of yours? What are you going to do about it, you nosy old hag?" "T''ll tell the Duchess! You''ll be thrown out for a thief!" "Not if I can help it!" The housekeeper lunged at her in an instant.


    Freya never imagined she would rip off her mask so openlyor that she would physically attack her.


    She stepped back to dodge, lifting the ledger to m it over her headbut someone else acted first.


    "AHI" A short, sharp cry escaped her lips.


    Her face contorted in agony, and she copsed forward, desperately grasping at the furniture before consciousness abandoned her.


    Her limp body slumped onto the carpet, her outstretched hands just inches from the book.


    Behind her head, blood matted her gray hair into a sticky mess, trickling down to stain her crisp, white cor.


    Her skull was split open by the porcin figurine in Franciss hand.


    "You...


    you killed her?" "Who cares, Mother? We need to get out of here!" Francis snapped, shoving her toward the wardrobe.


    "Grab only whats valuablehurry up!" ---- "Wait help me hide the body in the bathroom!" "For what, damn it?!" Francis raked his hands through his hair in frustration.


    "They''ll know it was us anyway! We dont have time for this." "You''re right...


    you''re right think straight.


    "Eorget itjust grab the valuables from the Mrs.


    Prescott muttered, trying to dresser.


    Im going to find Lavinia.


    We cant leave without that spoiled brat!" She hadnt forgotten her bargaining chip.


    Taking a few deep breaths, she stepped out of the room calmlyas if she hadnt just left a dead body inside.


    "Tell all the servants to move to the north service wing," she ordered one of the maids as she passed through the sitting room.


    Even the kitchen staff? But the dinner"" The kitchen staff too.


    They may take the rest of the day off.


    Everyone." Did something happen?" the girl asked, puzzled.


    "Nothing that concerns you.


    Ducal business.


    Withdraw and dont return to the main quarters until tomorrow." The maid nodded and went off to ry the orders.


    In truth, they were all happy for the unexpected break.


    Mrs.


    Prescott climbed the stairs and walked down the corridor.


    she stopped in front of a door and knocked.


    ---- "Come in," Lavinias small voice answered from inside.


    At this hour, she should have been doing her lessonsand sure enough, the housekeeper found her seated at her desk.


    "Wheres Nanny Freya?" the child asked, ncing behind her, looking for the old woman she had grown to trust and love "She told me to take you to where shes meeting with your mother, the Duchess," the housekeeper replied, knowing exactly how to bait the girl who suffered from maternal neglect.


    "My mother is back?!" Lavinias face lit up with excitement.


    "Yes,e along, mydy.


    I''ll take you to them." And just like that, Mrs.


    Prescott had the innocent Lavinia in her grasppletely unaware she had just be a hostage.