The morning sun streamed into the Ellington drawing room, but the atmosphere inside was anything but bright. Baroness Augusta sat stiffly in her chair, a cup of tea untouched before her, her expression grim. Mr. Prescott stood beside her waiting for his orders.
"Make sure you look everywhere, Prescott," Augusta commanded, her voice a low, dangerous growl. "Find where that old man is hiding. I don't care what it costs."
Prescott bowed his head. "Yes, Baroness." He nodded.
Just as they finished talking, Anne came down the stairs for breakfast. She was dressed elegantly, as always, but there was a foul, stormy mood about her that was impossible to miss. Augusta sighted her and sighed.
"Why are you in such a bad mood this morning?" she asked, her own patience already worn thin.
"Why would I be in a good mood, Mama?" Anne retorted, not even looking at her as she swept past and headed towards the dining room.
