“Oh, thank goodness,” a voice said, and I turned to see the girl who’d caught me leaving.

“Sorry I put such a secret on you,” I said. “I won’t again.”

Etan watched the quick interaction, looking as if he’d put the final stroke on a painting. “Let’s go, Hollis.”

He turned to go up the stairs, but only made it one step before wheeling back around to the room. “And by the way,” he added, wagging that same finger in the air, “as of this morning, when Lady Hollis holds up her cup, it is filled. If she rings a bell, it gets answered. For better or worse, she’s . . . part of the family, and she’ll be treated as such.”

His gaze swept across the room, meeting every pair of eyes with absolute seriousness.

In that moment, I knew he meant to keep his word. Even if he hated me, he wouldn’t tear me down again.

“Don’t worry, sir,” Enid said, waddling across the room, her arms full of some unrecognizable fruit. “We’d all come to that conclusion yesterday.” She looked at me. “I think you were right to make them celebrate the master’s birthday. He’s a good man.”

“He is,” I agreed. “One of the best.”

“Ah, Enid, my love!” Etan said, blowing a kiss at her. “I knew you’d never let me down.”

“Out you go!” she ordered with a laugh, and we scurried up the thin back stairs, trying not to make them creak, but not knowing how to avoid it.

When we came out on the second floor, we had to round a few corners before coming to the wing that housed our rooms. It seemed we’d gone undetected.

“I know it’s a challenge even when you’re rested, but go and put yourself together,” Etan said sarcastically. “It’s going to be a long day.”

I crossed my arms. “Very funny. For goodness’ sake, don’t you shave?”

I went around him and into my room, amazed that we’d actually done it. We’d gotten back home, and no one knew, and we could just keep moving forward. I tore up the letter I’d written the night before and threw the scraps into the fireplace for kindling. Maybe I’d tell them of my moment of weakness one day when it was far behind us and we’d won our battle. For now, I needed to splash some water on my face and change into a clean dress. It was going to be an exhausting day.

Nine

I WENT DOWN TO BREAKFAST with bleary eyes, fully expecting to have an opportunity to practice my newly made bargain with Etan. Only, he wasn’t there.

“Are you all right?” Mother wondered, looking me over.

“Yes. Why? What’s wrong?” I asked a little too quickly.

“No reason. You just seem tired.”

“Didn’t sleep well,” I admitted.

“Well, we’ll take it easy today,” Aunt Jovana insisted. “I have several letters to write, and I desperately need your and Scarlet’s help. If Etan’s right, we have some dear friends to inform of . . . recent events.” She did her best to actually avoid the words. I followed her lead.