The afternoon sun hung over the east garden. The sewing circle was working quietly when Austin appeared at the garden gate.
Alina looked up from her fabric and knew immediately that something was wrong. The hum of conversation died as he walked straight towards her, his face tight with controlled anger.
He stopped in front of her, his shadow felling across the cloth in her lap.
"Come with me," he said.
"Austin, I'm in the middle of…"
"Now."
The tone and the word left no room for argument. He took her arm firmly and turned. She rose and walked with him because refusing would only create a bigger scene. Behind them, Marguerite half-rose from her bench. Brennan set down her shears, and Evelyn covered her mouth with her hand.
Every eye followed them as they left the garden.
They walked through the corridors in silence. Servants passing them quickly looked away, sensing the tension between them.
