“That isn’t possible,” June said.
“She’s coming back tonight, right? Can’t I wait for her?”
There was a flicker of confusion behind June’s eyes. “Didn’t the two of you-” she stopped short.
“June,” Lindsey said. “What’s going on?”
“Camilla already came back. Last night.”
Lindsey’s heart turned to ice. Last night, when she’d spoken to Faith about the secret she’d kept from Camilla?
“Where’s Camilla now?” Lindsey asked.
“I can’t tell you that,” June said. “And her instructions were clear. You’re to leave as soon as you’ve packed your things.”
“You have to tell me where she is, June.”
“I can’t tell you where she is, because I don’t know where she is. She left again early in the morning. I assumed she wanted space.”
No. This wasn’t happening.
“A car will arrive for you shortly. You better start packing. I’m also to inform you that anything Camilla bought for you is yours to take with you.”
“I don’t want her things!” Lindsey said. “I want to talk to her. June, please!”
“I’m sorry,” June said quietly. “There’s nothing I can do.” Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Lindsey entered her room in a daze. This was all wrong. Lindsey needed to see her, to tell Camilla that she loved her, and she was sorry for lying.
She sank down into an armchair. Would it even make a difference? Camilla was so mad at Lindsey that she was kicking her out of the manor without even giving her a chance to explain herself.
Camilla wasn’t a forgiving woman. She would never forgive Lindsey, not after this. She had trusted Lindsey, had let her in, and Lindsey had betrayed that trust.
Did Lindsey even deserve her forgiveness?
She could stay here, in this chair, and refuse to leave. She could insist on waiting for Camilla. She could cry and scream until Camilla came running.
But there was no point.
Lindsey got up and pulled her suitcase out of the closet. She looked around at all the clothes, shoes, and accessories Camilla had bought her. June had said they were hers to keep. But Lindsey didn’t want any of it. Not without Camilla.
There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Lindsey said.
June entered the room and pulled an envelope from a pocket at the front of her apron. “I forgot to give this to you. It’s from Camilla.”
Lindsey stared at the envelope. Was it a note? A letter? Some kind of explanation or a goodbye?
June held it out to her. “Here.”
Lindsey blinked and took the envelope. “Thanks, June.”
But June didn’t give Lindsey her usual polite nod. She simply left the room again. Lindsey tore open the envelope, her hands trembling.
It was a check made out to Lindsey,
for the exact amount Camilla had promised her before she’d moved in.