The Heiress Strikes Back novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: The Nursery

Peter carried my bag up the Brightwells' front steps on Monday morning.

It was one duffel, and half of it was his mother's old towels.

The house stood at the end of a quiet Westport street, white and wide, with a porch swing and a wreath of dried hydrangeas on the door.

It was the first house I had ever walked up to from the front.

"Last chance," he said under his breath. "My truck's right there."

"Ring the bell."

He rang it.

Lorna had gone in ahead of us in her own car, with six suitcases and a driver.

A housekeeper opened the door and took one look at my smock.

"Service entrance is at the side," she said.

"She's with me," said Peter. "Mrs. Brightwell asked to see her."

That was a lie.

He said it.

I decided to be grateful for it later.

Mrs. Brightwell came down the hall in a camel cardigan, with a dish towel over her shoulder, wiping her hands.

She stopped when she saw me.

For one moment she looked ten years older and ten years younger at once.

"You're Winifred's girl," she said. "Miranda."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You came to work for Lorna."

"Yes."

"On a Monday morning, with that kind of bag." She glanced at Peter. "And this is the son."

"Peter Thornley, ma'am. I only came to carry her bags. I'm sorry about the lunch."

"I am too," said Mrs. Brightwell.

She held out her hand and took mine.

Her palm was warm and papery.

She kept hold of my hand a second longer than people do.

"There's a room on the third floor," she said. "It has a window that sticks. I'll show you."

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