CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FOUR – A GAME OG SUBTERFUGE

One morning, as Charlotte cleaned the drawing-room fireplace, a pair of polished shoes stopped in front of her. Lady Griffith, her face a mask of icy disdain, peered down at her. "Emerson," she began, her voice clipped. "There seems to be a discrepancy in your schedule. Mrs. Higgins claims you were sent on an errand an hour ago, yet here you are." Charlotte's heart hammered against her ribs. "Apologies, my lady," she stammered. "I… I must have lost track of time." Lady Griffith's gaze narrowed. "Perhaps you are more interested in… other pursuits." She paused, her eyes lingering on Charlotte pointedly. "Is that right, Emerson?" Charlotte felt sweat prickle on her skin. "No, my lady! Absolutely not." It was a lie, a desperate attempt to maintain the flimsy facade. "Then perhaps you should refocus your energies on your duties," Lady Griffith said coolly. "Unless, of course, you wish to find yourself… relieved of them." The veiled threat hung heavy in the air. Charlotte met Lady Grif