By the time the day's endless cycle of meals, polite smiles, and forced generosity came to a close, Lady Rose finally made her way back to her private chambers.
As soon as the heavy door shut behind her, she exhaled deeply, unfastening the decorative brooch at her collar.
Her shoulders sagged, the mask of composure slipping away into something closer to exhaustion.
"Well, that went better than expected.
She muttered, half to herself and half to the man who entered behind her.
Lady Rose glanced toward her butler and added briskly.
"We'll continue this for a few more days—just until our… guests… are gone. Maintain the meals, the quality, everything. No mistakes."
The butler stiffened, his face tightening ever so slightly.
"My lady… we cannot continue at this pace."
Her eyes snapped toward him, sharp and incredulous.
"What do you mean 'cannot'? We must. I will not have our house appear miserly before outsiders."
