He's a paying customer. Margaret, I am aware of your concerns, Victoria, Margaret said, and her voice had gone to that particular flat register. That meant the conversation was close to over. I appreciate you bringing them to my attention. I'll certainly take them under consideration.
Victoria looked at her for a long moment, then she looked at Amelia. You're a smart enough girl, she said. And there was something almost like pity in her voice, which was somehow worse than the contempt. Smart enough to know how this ends. He'll get tired of the novelty.
Men like Nathaniel always do. And when he goes back to where he belongs, you'll still be here. Except it'll be harder because people will remember and they won't be kind about it. Amelia held her gaze. Thank you for the warning, ma'am.
I mean it genuinely. I believe you, Amelia said. And she did. That was the worst part. Victoria Harrington was not lying.
What she'd said was probably true, and she'd said it with the calm certainty of a woman who had watched exactly sequence of events play out before and expected to watch it again. Victoria left. Margaret sat with her coffee for a long moment after the front door closed. "She's not entirely wrong," Margaret said finally. I know, Amelia said.
Are you being careful? I'm always careful. Are you being careful specifically? Margaret said, looking at her directly for perhaps the first time in 6 years about your heart. Amelia looked at the kitchen table.
I'm trying, she said. Margaret nodded. Then try harder, she said not unkindly. And go start on the upstairs rooms. The Kellermans are checking out this afternoon.
Amelia went and started on the upstairs rooms. She was on the second landing, gathering linens when she heard the front door open and the familiar sound of boots crossing the entry. She stopped, listened, heard Margaret's voice low and direct. Heard the response, which was Nathaniel's. She could not make out words.
She didn't try. She finished gathering the linens and went to the window at the end of the hall and she stood there looking out at the street while the conversation concluded below her. She heard the door open again. Then his voice from below the window. Miss Whitaker.