Alice's POV:

"Mrs. Scarlett, I feel a bit overheated. Can I take a short break?"

Selena's voice carried a hint of coquetry as she looked at Mrs. Scarlett, "It's been so long since I have had such delicious fruit wine. I may have been a bit indiscreet today."

"You, child," Mrs. Scarlett's face was full of love, "have a maid accompany you to rest in Robert's room upstairs."

"Oh no," she pouted, tugging at the hem of her dress, "after all, Robert and I haven't announced our engagement yet. Living together now might lead to gossip."

Her voice was soft, but her gaze was fixed on me.

At the dining...