“From now on, Jo—” Addison stopped, her lips pressing together in a white slash as she rethought her words. “From now on, my wife eats in the dining room. No more trays are to be delivered to her room unless I’m not home.”

“But, miss—”

“What’s your name?”

Iris swallowed hard. “I-I-I-Iris.”

“Have you worked here long?”

“Almost three years, miss.”

“Well, if you want to make it four, you’ll do as I say. If I am in this house, my wife takes her meals down here. Do you understand?”

Unable to look the woman in the eye, Iris focused on the floor. “Yes, Mrs. Kane,” she said in a whisper. “I understand.”

***

Later that night, Addison returned home with a little more pep in her step. Strolling into the house, she handed off her attaché to George, removed her coat, tossing it to him just as Evelyn came out of the kitchen. Her mood being better than it had been in weeks, it showed on her face, but in a flash, Addison’s expression turned menacing. Coming down the stairs was the blonde-floppy-haired maid she had spoken to earlier that morning…and she was carrying a dinner tray.

“You have just made the worst cock-up of your life,” Addison bellowed, storming toward the stairs. “Consider yourself sacked!”

“Addison, wait,” Evelyn said, and rushing over, she placed her hand on Addison’s arm. “Let me explain.”

Refusing to look away from Iris, Addison yanked her arm away from Evelyn. “There’s nothing to explain!” Addison screamed as she pointed at Iris. “She is a stupid cow, and she’s unemployed. End of subject!”

“No, she’s not,” Evelyn said as she grabbed Addison’s arm again and forced her to turn around. “She’s doing what I asked her to do.”

Slowly, Addison faced Evelyn, and lowering her chin, she looked down her nose at the woman. “What did you say?”

Evelyn knew Addison was on the verge of Armageddon. Her face had turned scarlet, and every vein in her neck appeared ready to burst, so when she heard the contents of the tray in Iris’ hands rattling, Evelyn decided she’d best clear the room. Daring a quick glance in the maid’s direction, she said, “Iris, take that to the kitchen, please.”

Iris, fearing her wobbly knees would fail, crept down the rest of the stairs, but once she reached the foyer, she scurried to the kitchen, leaving the other women locked in a staring contest.

Hearing the kitchen door swing closed, Evelyn took a breath. “Now, if you let me—”

“I specifically told her—”

“I know what you told her!” Evelyn said, raising her voice. “And we were all prepared to follow your bloody rules—”

“Then why didn’t you?

“Because we had a slight mishap today…involving Joanna.”

Chapter Twenty-Six