THE HOUSEMAID

her heart pounding in her chest. Wh

is fingers together. "So, Andrea, tell me about your

y. "I come from a humble background, Mr. Richardson," she lied, trying to sound as innocent as poss

see," he said, his voice dripping with skeptic

had to be careful. "He was a... a salesman

marble floor echoed outside the study. Julian's eye

" he said, standing up

woman flounced into the room. Sophia Richardson was a

aid," Julian said, his voi

ral thick lashes, and her insane beauty. For a moment,

brewing inside Sophia. "Nice to meet you, Mi

e spotless," Sophia snapped, her voice dripping with

ophia's face. "Of course, Miss Richards

of something in Sophia's eyes - something that made And

ed at her to be careful.

make her life a living hel

eart pounding in her chest. She knew that look, that

through too much and fought too hard. She straig

t, a fierce determination burning

ncerned look on her face. "Andrea, are you

appear nonchalant. "I'm fine, Emm

w you feel. Sophia can be... challengin

titude washing over her. Maybe, just maybe, she

a couldn't shake the feeling that Sophi

echoing down the hallway. "Some

ank. She knew sh

a, Maria, and two other maids rushed in. Andr

ardson?" Emma asked, con

ed with rage. "This... this piece of paper was on

apologize, Miss Richardson," Maria said.

did this," she demanded, her eyes scanning the room.

n down her spine. She k

er maids point

Sophi

pure hatred, lacing her ton

oo. She was determined to stay c

on neutral. She could feel the anger rising insi

said, her voice calm and steady. "I mus

ke all the others," she spat. "Thinking you ca

that Sophia was trying to provoke her,

, her voice dripping with politeness, "I am

e the faintest glimmer of uncertainty. For a moment,

arl. "Get out," she spat. "Get out

hed the door, she felt a surge of satisfaction. She had

-looking woman would be working as a maid. She thought that if she had that ki

like a maid to me

he room. She couldn't shake off the feeling that the

ossibilities. "A woman who looks like that shouldn't be working a

d by Andrea's curves and striking features. She felt a pang of je

'd have men eating out of the palm of my hand.

schemes to bring Andrea down a peg. She didn't like this new m

ager to have some time to herself. "Leave me alo

to her bath. She locked the door behind

he image of Andrea from her mind. She kept thinking about the m

ing Andrea down. She was determined to uncover the maid's

is study, sipping a glass of scotch. He stared out the w

y, looking uneasy. "Father, I need to tal

s eyes narrowing.

think it's right, Father. We

business, Nathaniel. Y

nd his morals. Just then, Sophia burst into the study, wrapped in a

an eyebrow. "W

th malice. "I don't trus

. "Sophia, you'

iel intervened, trying to calm the situati

aving Nathaniel and Julian

of Andrea, the new maid. Sophia's words

Andrea hiding something behind her

ecided to observe Andrea more closely, to see if

ember the last time he'd felt this way about anyone. Andrea, the mysterious maid, had

ith a stern expression. "Andrea, I need to inform yo

. Emma nodded. "Yes, the Richardson family is hosting some ve

ying to keep a low profile, but serving at a di

o start?" Andrea asked

e you wear your best uniform. The Richard

. She would have to interact with the Richardson family and thei

e, Andrea couldn't shake off the feeling