"Y-Yes! Right away, Madame—I mean, of course!"
Caught between lingering shock and sudden relief, Emma and Madison exchanged a breathless look before nodding in hurried, reverent agreement.
"We'll set the table and bring out the dishes right now!" Madison chimed in, practically tripping over her own heels as she scrambled to follow Emma.
The two retreated into the dining hall in a flurry of hushed, panicked murmurs, eager to throw themselves into kitchen work just to escape the staggering pressure lingering in the foyer.
As the swing doors to the kitchen clicked shut, the living room fell into a comfortable, intimate quiet.
Victoria let out a soft, amused breath through her nose, turning back toward Alex. Stepping directly into his personal space, her manicured fingers reached up to loosen the silk knot of his tie before sliding smoothly under the lapels of his dark suit jacket.
With practiced, effortless grace, she eased the heavy tailored coat off his shoulders.
