Theresa had barely crossed her threshold when she heard the murmur of voices echoing from the back halls.
Her maids seemed to be whispering, or actually speaking to someone. She hated them almost as much as she hated the sting of Amara's words replaying in her head.
She paused by the door, forcing her breath steady. She would not let the humiliation of the park carry her into her home.
This was her kingdom, gilded and dripping with luxury, a place where no one could challenge her. Not Amara. Not anyone.
However, before she could even shrug off her scarf, the sound of another door creaked open.
Her head snapped up.
Elias stepped through the lobby door like a shadow invited in by the house itself. His cap was pulled low, and his stride unhurried. He walked as though he owned the air around him, as his silence cut more than any insult.
