Chapter 1 - The Hand
“Don’t touch her!”
Leah caught Victoria’s wrist before the open hand could reach Mrs. Harrington’s face.
The crystal chandeliers trembled in the mirrored walls as every black-tie guest turned toward them.
Mrs. Eleanor Harrington sat rigid in her silver-framed wheelchair, one hand raised defensively. Victoria stood over her in diamonds and black satin, her expression twisted with fury.
“Take your hands off me,” Victoria hissed, “or you’re finished here.”
Leah’s hands shook.
But she did not release the wrist.
“She said no.”
Victoria leaned closer.
“You are a maid. You do not speak for this family.”
Measured footsteps crossed the polished floor.
Arthur Harrington entered along the center of the ballroom in a burgundy tailcoat, his silver hair catching the chandelier light.
“She stays exactly where she is.”
Victoria’s confidence vanished.
“Arthur…this is a misunderstanding.”
He stopped several feet away.
“I saw exactly what you tried to do.”
Leah slowly released Victoria’s arm and moved between her and the wheelchair.
Arthur knelt beside his wife.
“Eleanor, what happened?”
Mrs. Harrington struggled to steady her breathing.
Victoria answered first.
“She became confused during the signing.”
Arthur looked at the papers on the table.
“What signing?”
“A temporary family authorization.”
Leah shook her head.
“It wasn’t temporary.”
Victoria snapped toward her.
“You read confidential documents?”
“Mrs. Harrington asked me to.”
Arthur opened the folder.
The first page concerned medical care.
The final page transferred control of the mansion, the family company and every Harrington trust account.
Eleanor reached for her husband’s hand.
“She said if I refused, she would send Leah away.”
May you like
Then she looked toward Victoria.
“And put me somewhere no one would hear me say no.”
