Benedict Roe stood at the back of the donor tea with a tray of cups.
He watched Alfred put one arm around Marielle in front of the donors.
Alfred: This is my daughter, the one who broke the auction record. A place of honor waits for her in this family.
Then Alfred took the tray from Benedict's hands and put it into Marielle's.
Alfred: Pour for our guests. Show them the Dunley touch.
Priscilla sat at his right hand in her red dress, in the seat of honor.
Marielle's lip was still pink where Priscilla had hit her the night before.
She poured the tea with a careful smile and did not look at her cousin.
Then Lavinia Gable came in with her pearls and her sharp green eyes.
The room turned to her like a flower to the sun.
Lavinia: Well. Look at this. The servant's wife is pouring tea now.
Lavinia: Did the mop man teach you how to hold a cup? Or does he only teach you how to spread your legs for the family money?
Two donors at the near table put down their cups. Nobody told her to stop.
Lavinia: You are a servant's wife in your mother's old dress, and you think one full hall makes you a director.
Lavinia: Everyone in this city knows what you are. You dragged the Dunley name down with the help.
Lavinia grabbed her by the wrist and bore down with her thumb, and the skin under it went pale, then purple.
She shoved her, and Marielle's hip hit the tea table, and the tray went over the edge.
China broke on the stone floor, and a shard cut the back of Marielle's hand.
Blood ran down her fingers and dripped on the white cloth.
Lavinia: One word from me and your husband is out on the street by tonight.
Lavinia: I know men on Marrow Street who break hands for fifty dollars. You believe me, servant's wife?
Marielle believed her. Her hands shook so hard the blood ran faster.
Alfred: Lavinia, you are too hard on the girl.
Veronica: Mrs. Gable is an old friend of this family. Marielle, get a cloth and clean that up.
Priscilla: Mrs. Gable, your pearls are the finest in the room. Some of us know how to carry a name.
Benedict had seen all of it from the glass wall.
He set his tray down and crossed the room to take her cut hand.
Benedict: Who did this?
Lavinia: The help speaks. How charming.
Benedict: Say that again.
His voice was quiet, and Lavinia's smile got smaller.
He turned his back on the tea and crossed to the far glass, phone already up against his ear.
Benedict: Junia. It is me. Lavinia Gable has a gala booking at the Bellcrest Grand Hotel.
Benedict: Cancel it. Today. Every room she asked for.
Lavinia's phone rang in her pearl-gray purse before Benedict put his own phone away.
Lavinia: Yes, this is Mrs. Gable. I am at the Dunley tea, so be quick.
Her face changed while she listened. The color went out of it like water from a glass.
Lavinia: Canceled? That contract was signed and paid this morning. Do you have any idea who I am?
Lavinia: From above? What does that mean, from above?
She turned slowly and looked at Benedict by the glass wall.
Lavinia: What did he do? What is that man?
Alfred's jaw hung loose, and not one word came out of it.
Alfred: Lavinia, sit down. We will fix this. Marielle, what did you say to her?
Marielle: I did not say one word.
Veronica: You have cost this family a donor, and you will answer for it.
Lavinia: I am going. I will never set foot in this glasshouse again, and neither will my money.
She went out with her head high and her hands shaking.
Priscilla: She always makes a scene. It is what she does.
Benedict took Marielle out to the hall and wrapped her cut hand in his handkerchief.
Marielle: Did you do that? The booking. The hotel.
Benedict: I told you already. A woman who puts marks on my wife does not keep her parties.
Marielle: One call, and a hotel tore up a signed contract.
Benedict: Hotel men are careful around everyone.
Marielle: Not with me. Who are you, Benedict?
Benedict: I am the man who carries the trays. For now.
His lips brushed the white cloth, and her fingers stayed loose and easy in his.