“I’m not the only vegetarian?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Does anyone think I’mmean?”I asked. “Or silly? Or stupid?”
“No,” she said.
“But they do know about…” I inhaled deeply. “They know about Willem?”
“Yes,” she said. “I heard about him from the butler. Would you like to know what he told me?”
“No,” I said.
“Are you sure?”
“…No.”
She waited a second. “He said your father had him burned.”
I shut my eyes, then turned, and revisited the dress I wore in the mirror. “Is it too bright?” I asked, running my fingers over the sequined bodice.
“He said your governess did it, actually,” she said. “But your father commanded it.”
“The blacksmith burned him,” I said.
Miss Josie nodded. “By your governess’s request?” she asked.
“Yes… I’m not sure my fathercommandedit, but he certainly did nothing to prevent it.”
“I heard that, too.” She took a moment. “I also heard… One of the other maids told me your governess was murdered,” she added.
We met eyes.
“That is not true. She fell,” I said.
“I heard Ser Elíaspushedher.”
“No,” I answered. “No. That is ridiculous. Elías would not do that.”
“The other day, you were in fear for Mr. Evergreen’s well-being,” she said.
I ignored the comment.
“For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t blame him,” she said. “I heard?—”
“Shall I tell the Lord Commander that on your behalf?” I asked. “That you would not blame him for murder?”
Josie straightened. “No.”
“She fell, Miss Jocelyn. I was there.”
“You were there?” she asked. “I thought the Lord Commander discovered her? Alone? Was that not the peculiarity of it?”
I changed the subject. “Thank you for coming today.”
She scoffed. I quirked a brow.
“Yes, Miss Josie?”
