Dinner did not remain still for long.It shifted—subtly, but enough.
A man entered quietly, his steps measured, his presence careful in a way that suggested he knew exactly where he stood in this house. He leaned slightly toward Lucien, bending just enough to murmur something into his ear.
Mallory didn't catch the words.
But she caught the change.
Lucien's expression didn't falter but something behind it sharpened, like a thought had been confirmed rather than introduced.
He stood, not abruptly but with finality.
"Continue," he said lightly, though his tone carried something firmer beneath it. His gaze flicked briefly to his sisters. "And behave."It wasn't a request.
Miranda's lips curved faintly, unimpressed. Eve sat up straighter immediately.
Then Lucien looked at Mallory.Just once.Not long enough to read. Not short enough to ignore and then he left.
The room shifted the moment the door closed behind him.Silence lingered for a breath.
"Well," Miranda said.
Mallory didn't look up immediately, her focus remaining on the table as if nothing had changed.But everything had.
Miranda leaned back slightly, studying her openly now. "Since my brother seems uninterested in explanations… I suppose I'll have to ask myself."
Mallory glanced at her, calm. "Ask."
A pause…"Where are you from?" Miranda asked. "And your full name."There it was, not curiosity, assessment.Mallory held her gaze for a moment.Then quietly, evenly—"Mallory Elswyn."It was subtle but it was enough.
Miranda stilled.Her eyes narrowed slightly, her attention sharpening in a way it hadn't before.
"Elswyn," she repeated.Then a soft, almost amused breath left her."Well," she said, tilting her head faintly, "isn't that interesting."
Mallory said nothing.
Miranda's gaze didn't leave her. "I was wondering what kind of person my brother would bring into this house."
Her smile thinned."I didn't expect it to be the famous criminal."
Eve blinked,and Mallory didn't move,didn't react but something in the air tightened.
Miranda leaned forward just slightly. "Tell me," she continued, voice smooth, edged with something sharper now, "what exactly were you thinking?"
Mallory met her gaze,"surviving," she said simply.
For a moment,just a moment—Miranda had nothing to say to that.
Eve, however, was staring now not with judgment but curiosity.
"…Did you really escape?" she asked quietly.
Miranda shot her a look. "Eve—"Mallory answered anyway. "Yes."
Eve's eyes widened slightly—not in fear. In fascination.
The rest of the meal passed in a tension that didn't break—but settled.
No one said more than necessary.And when it ended…They parted without ceremony.
⸻
Sleep did not come easily.Mallory turned once, then again.
The sheets were clean. The room was quiet. Everything was as it should be and yet her mind refused to rest.
Elswyn.The way Miranda had said it the recognition, the weight behind it.Mallory stared at the ceiling, her thoughts moving faster than she could stop them.A criminal, that was what they saw, what they knew.Her fingers curled slightly against the sheets.Then fine, let them.
It didn't change what she needed to do.She couldn't stay here not like this.
Another town still lingered in her mind but leaving without anything to stand on would only bring her back to the same place.
No. This time, she would leave prepared Mallory exhaled slowly, turning onto her side.
"I just need a start," she murmured.
Eventually,sleep came.
⸻
Dawn followed quietly.Soft light filtered through the window, pale and steady, pulling her from sleep without force.Mallory sat up slowly, the remnants of exhaustion still clinging—but lighter now.Manageable.
She moved to wash, the cool water clearing what sleep hadn't.
By the time she finished, she had dressed simply.
The clothes she had been given—clean, modest,fit well enough. Her dark hair was pulled back, tied in a simple style that kept it away from her face, though a few loose strands softened the look.
She sat at the edge of the bed for a moment.
Thinking.What could she do?Serving, maybe. Cleaning. Sewing if she found the right place. Anything honest. Anything that paid.It didn't have to be perfect.It just had to be enough.
Mallory stood.Decision made.
⸻
The manor was quieter in the early morning.
Not empty—never empty—but calmer.
She stepped into the hallway, her gaze scanning briefly before landing on a passing maid.
"You," Mallory called lightly.
The maid stopped immediately. "Yes?"
"Is Lucien here?" Mallory asked.
The maid nodded " yes would you like me to take you to him?"Mallory nodded once. "Yes."
⸻
The walk was shorter this time.They stopped before a door—solid, dark wood, polished to a quiet shine.
The maid knocked.A brief pause.Then—"Enter."
The maid opened the door slightly. "Master Lucien the lady wishes to see you"
"Send her in."
The maid stepped aside, allowing Mallory to pass before quietly closing the door behind her.
⸻
The study was… composed.Everything in its place. Shelves lined with books, a desk positioned near the window, papers arranged with precision that spoke of control rather than habit.And behind it Lucien was seated, calm.His dark hair was neatly combed back, not overly styled, but deliberate. He wore a lighter outfit than before—no formal coat, just a well-fitted shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled, the fabric clean and understated.At ease.
His gaze lifted to her the moment she stepped in."You were looking for me."Mallory stepped forward slightly. "Yes."
His eyes studied her taking in the early hour, the composed appearance, the intent behind it."And why," he asked calmly, "would you do that?"Mallory didn't hesitate."I need help. That, at least, seemed to interest him."Do you?" he murmured.Her gaze held his. "I need work."A slight tilt of his head."Work," he repeated."Yes," she said, steady. "Something I can do. To earn money."Silence followed,Mallory stood her ground."I won't stay here without purpose," she added. "And I won't leave without something to stand on."
Lucien watched her for a moment longer.Then very faintly something shifted in his expression."You're already negotiating your place here," he said.
Mallory didn't look away. "I'm making sure I have one."
Lucien leaned back slightly."Careful," he said quietly. "You're starting to sound like you intend to stay."The words settled between them.Mallory didn't answer immediately because the truth was she didn't know.Not yet.