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“No,” Ella says. “Why would I? I’ve never met anyone of the Vexleys’ status outside of a Vexley since I started working here.” She frowns. “Why?”
Hazel looks away. “No reason.”
“Hazel.”
The old woman sighs. “Just watch yourself with him.”
My nerves skitter. What does Hazel know?
“What does that mean?” asks Ella.
“It means men like Mr. Stanley are used to getting what they want. They consider women to be assets.”
“Assets?”
“Things. Not people.”
Matteo’s movements slow.
Ella’s face changes in the mirror.
“If he puts a hand someplace you don’t want it,” Hazel says, “you move. Loudly, if you have to.”
Ella shifts in the chair. “Mr. Vexley said I don’t have to flirt with him.”
Hazel’s mouth curves. “Did he?”
“He was very clear.”
“How clear?”
Ella’s cheeks color. “Pretty clear.”
Hazel nods. “You stand beside Mr. Stanley,” she says. “You smile if you want to. You don’t if you don’t. You answer questions with as few words as possible, and if anyone tries to make you feel small, you remember half the people in that ballroom inherited their confidence from dead men.”
Matteo laughs.
Ella smiles.
I do not.
If Stanley lays one wrinkled finger on her…
On the screen, Matteo tilts Ella’s chin up with two fingers. “Your skin is gorgeous.” He brushes something over her cheek. “Are you seeing anyone, Ella?”
The question hits me like a brick.
Ella blinks. “Am I what?”
“Seeing anyone?”
“No.”
Thank God.
“But I’ve met some very nice-looking men since I moved into Vexley House.”
“The majority of the help in Vexley House is female,” Hazel says. “So are you referring to one of the brothers, dear? Or the father?”
