Chapter 4 - Grace’s Secret NotebookGrace refused tea.
She refused a chair.
Alexander finally said, “You are not on trial.”
Grace gave a sad little smile. “In this house, sir, staff are always on trial.”
The words hit harder than he expected.
Nathan opened his leather folder. “Miss Ellison, what evidence were you referring to?”
Grace looked toward the ceiling.
The nursery was above them.
“I kept notes.”
Eleanor scoffed. “A servant’s diary?”
“A child’s progress record,” Grace said.
Alexander stared at her. “Show me.”
Grace hesitated. “It is in my room.”
Eleanor moved immediately. “I will have someone retrieve it.”
“No,” Alexander said. “I will go.”
The servants’ rooms were on the third floor, in a narrow wing Alexander had not entered in years. That shame arrived quietly. He owned every inch of this house and knew almost nothing about the people who kept it breathing.
Grace’s room was small, neat, and painfully plain.
On the desk lay a blue notebook.
Inside were dates, times, exercises, observations.
Iris stood holding sofa edge for twelve seconds.
Iris shifted weight from left foot to right.
Iris laughed when Clara clapped.
Iris cried after Mrs. Hale said “no walking today.”
Alexander read that line twice.
“What does this mean?”
Grace folded her hands. “Some days I was told not to practice with her.”
“By whom?”
Grace did not answer.
She did not have to.
Alexander turned another page.
Iris sleepy after morning drops. Balance worse.
Iris refused lunch after medicine.
Doctor said no concern. I disagree.
Alexander felt something cold move through him.
“What morning drops?”
Grace opened the drawer and pulled out a small amber bottle.
“The ones Mrs. Hale gives her when Lady Eleanor visits.”
Alexander took the bottle.
The label had been peeled away.
His pulse changed.
Behind him, Eleanor said from the doorway, “Put that down.”
Alexander turned.
His mother stood there with Mrs. Hale behind her.
Mrs. Hale, the senior nanny, looked terrified.
Not of Alexander.
Of Eleanor.
Grace stepped back.
Eleanor’s voice was soft as frost.
“You have no idea what that child needs.”
Alexander held up the bottle.
“Then tell me.”
Eleanor’s eyes went to Mrs. Hale.
May you like
For one second, the mask slipped.
And Alexander saw panic.
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