The mansion was like a shaky stage following the gala. The rumours of Sophia being humiliated remained in the air and were spread by the servants and guests who had witnessed the humiliation of Ethan. Sophia went out of her room but only once, and then her smile was colder, more like that of ice.
Christiana on the other hand was walking on eggshells. The eyes of Sophia upon her, in every passage, could have been the silent threat that something was about to happen.
And it was even sooner than supposed.
One day, the family was in a mess in the morning. Mrs. Her luxury jewellery, a fortune in diamond bracelet by Williams, had disappeared out of her jewellery box. Slaves were set abreast, asked separately.
Sophia went down the stairs in a graceful feign of concern. Mother, would it be that one of the new girls...? Her face looked some way at Christiana.
Christiana froze. "What? No! I would never.."
Calm down, Sophia said, and her voice was dripping with faked innocence. Nobody is accusing you, but... you were standing by the room of Mother yesterday.
Gasps filled the hall. Christiana's heart pounded. I was taking clothes to the maids and not jewellery!
Mrs. Williams looked glum, evidently agitated. My family has had this bracelet since time immemorial. We must find it immediately."
Sophia stepped forward. We should go and see what is going on in her room? Just to be sure."
The eyes of Christiana were open-jawed. "You can't be serious!"
The servants were already heading in the direction of her apartments. Minutes later they came out carrying a velvet pouch. The lost bracelet was shining in the sunshine inside.
A collective gasp.
Christiana's face went pale. "That's not mine! I didn't put it there!"
Sophia leaned her head, her lips in an expression of contented smile. Strange... how come it was under your pillow at all?
Tears were filling the eyes of Christiana and murmur had passed throughout the hall. She gazed frantically about and all appeared suspicious--all, that is, but one.
Ethan.
He rose and cut through the din with his voice. "She didn't do this."
Mr. Williams was going to say, Ethan...but Ethan looked bright with conviction.
"I know Christiana. She would never steal. This is someone else's doing." His eyes settled down on Sophia. "And I believe we all know who would come off best framed by her.
Sophia smiled slightly, but her smile died in the shortest possible moment, and she gave a laugh. You believe I should be so low? Ethan, really."
But Ethan didn't back down. He went over by the side of Christiana, and took her hand in front of all present. "If she goes, I go. That's the truth."
The hall plunged into silent stupor.
Nails would penetrate her palm, and Sophia kept them underneath the creases of her dress. Her trap had not worked, and she was not through. Not by far.