Her mind thought the unthinkable.
No.
It couldn't be.
It was impossible, utterly preposterous, utterly absurd.
Her heart pounding in her ears, Mira lifted her skirts and ran along the gallery, down the main staircase and into the red salon where the ladies were gathered.
"There you are. We were wondering where you'd disappeared to again," Princess Florentina said, putting aside her embroidery.
"Where is he?" Mira burst out.
"Who on earth do you mean?"
"Atherton. Where is he?"
ChapterTwelve
Mira did not waitfor an answer.
She turned on her heels and marched out of the room and into the hall. There she turned to the right and opened the next door. The dining room was empty.
She would open door after door in this palatial mansion until she found him.
The next room, the library. A housemaid dusted the books and jumped when she tore the doors open. Mira apologised and moved on.
Next room.
"Mirabel!" Evie had come rushing after her, followed by Rose. "What's happened? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Without answering, she marched into the next room, the blue salon, which was empty as well.
"If you're looking for the gentlemen, they've retired to..."
Mira walked out and flung open the next door.
"... the billiard room. There, you've found them."
Mira marched inside.
It was a gentlemen's room with oak panelling and a large billiard table standing in the middle. The two gentlemen who had been lounging in leather armchairs jumped to their feet.
Leaning over the billiard table was a third gentleman, impeccably dressed, the cue stick placed to make a shot.
He looked up and their eyes met.
This was when it finally cracked, the numbness that had encased her heart. Like fractured glass, it shattered into a million pieces.
She welcomed the anger, the pure, unadulterated fury that rushed through her veins.
Mira pointed a shaking finger at him. "Outside. Now, your Lordship," she spat.
"Dear me." Lindenstein muttered. "That doesn't sound too good,mein Freund. Don't tell me you haven't cleared the air by now...?"
Mira shot him a look that could have killed him on the spot, then turned on her heels and marched out, past an astonished Evie and Rose, both of whom had their hands clasped over their mouths.
She did not look back to see if he had followed her.
