The next morning, Mara woke to a knock at her door.
She blinked at the ceiling, disoriented for a moment before the sound came again. She sat up, reached for the robe draped over the chair beside her bed, and pulled it on as she padded across the room.
When she opened the door, she'd half-expected Nico. Or Elena. Even Luca.
It was none of them. Only a young maid she'd seen around the estate but never spoken to.
"Don Ferrante requests your presence in his study, Mrs. Ferrante," the girl said with her eyes downcast. "He said to come as soon as you're dressed."
Mara nodded and dismissed her.
For a moment, she thought about disregarding his request. But that would only spell more trouble for her.
So she took her bath, then dressed in a simple black trousers and a cream blouse. No fuss. She pulled her hair into a low ponytail, gave herself one brief glance in the mirror, and left the room.
