Chapter 5
Hazel’s wrist was sprained.
Nothing broken.
That mattered.
So did how it happened.
I asked if she wanted to speak.
Not ordered.
Asked.
She agreed the next morning.
We met in the small breakfast room.
Mother present because Hazel requested her.
No Estelle.
No Marcus.
Hazel sat where I had pulled out a chair for her the night before.
Interesting.
She looked uncomfortable.
“Tell me what happened at the car.”
Hazel folded her hands.
Mrs. Blackwood had left the ballroom after Estelle told her I wanted to see her privately at South Lodge.
Hazel carried her wrap.
At the front drive, Mother realized my car was not waiting.
Only Collins.
She asked why.
He said I had already gone ahead.
Mother entered.
Hazel noticed Estelle watching from the portico.
Then something felt wrong.
She approached the car.
Asked Collins to wait while she confirmed with me.
He refused.
Mother tried to reopen the door.
Hazel grabbed the frame.
Collins shut it.
Her wrist caught.
Not intentionally crushed.
Still careless.
Still wrong.
Then Estelle walked down the steps.
Hazel looked at her.
“What did she say?”
Hazel hesitated.
Mother answered.
“Tell him.”
Hazel whispered:
“She said, ‘Know your place.’”
My jaw tightened.
Of course.
“What did you say?”
Hazel looked embarrassed.
“I said my place was wherever Mrs. Blackwood needed me.”
Mother smiled.
I almost did too.
Then Estelle told Collins to drive.
That was the command.
Not misunderstanding.
Not confusion.
Command.
I asked Hazel why she did not come directly to me afterward.
She looked down.
“You were seated with Miss Pierce.”
That answer was not enough.
I waited.
Finally:
“Last month I tried to tell you she was dismissing staff.”
I remembered.
Hazel approached me in the corridor.
Estelle appeared.
I told Hazel to speak with estate management.
I never heard the rest.
There.
Another failure.
Not malice.
Hierarchy.
I had trained people below me to believe information moved through channels.
Estelle had started controlling the channels.
I looked at Hazel.
“I should have listened.”
May you like
She seemed almost frightened by the apology.
That told me something about this house too.
