k. A middle-aged woman with a ramrod-straight posture and a serious but kind

rte?" the woman asked

ed a smile, trying to ma

utler." Her tone was firm, but a flicker of relief soften

anor." Olavo inclined hi

d to take Maria C

his taken to

retreated, leaving Mar

emperature seemed to drop several degrees. The interior was majestic, but f

y as she led the way. "He spends most of his time at his company's office in

lara murmured. "

ted for a fract

just... traumatized by

ask what "everythin

very active, intelligent, and sensitive girl, which means she is

wever, is four. He's a very shy, quiet boy

or to a room lit by large windows

," the housekeeper explained. "They

Something shot out from under a table: a small wooden cart with a hideous rubber rat tied to it

e gasped, ju

ievous laughter echoed fro

eyes, a pained exp

lease," sh

wo pairs of eyes fixed on her: curiou

and H

his round face. His rosy cheeks were a stark contrast

ading down her back. She held her chin high, her p

ara said with

r, speaking just loudly eno

ne doesn't

, in a flash, the two of them darted away,

ralice said, her voice softening with sorrow. "Nothing holds their att

ice serene. "They're just children. And

ice's gaze softened i

"There is still

s of stern-faced ancestors-somber men in military un

," Doralice explained as they entered

ut it. The large, somber desks seemed far too big for small bodies. The onl

r lessons here,

irits, not nurture them,"

ralice

way. Order. Silence. Discipline. T

folder to Maria Cl

s from the moment they woke until they went to sleep. She

on to the

children's

ndows overlooking the garden. The furniture was dark and co

d because you are al

childr

ice s

tifully and started her on the piano. But

Maria Clar

he Count is at home. He... doesn't like to hear the piano." She lowered her voice. "The

Count is a ver

tragedy," Doralice corrected gently. "Come, I have

set of double doors, richly carve

re opened, Maria C

served in time. The walls were paneled in fine wood, with twi

ur Lady of Fátima, brought from Portugal, while other saints occupied smaller niches.

seemed to i

"these doors were always open. I believe the Count won't mind if y

ut the door

, but you must be tired. Perhaps

for Maria Cla

take you to

beauty, everythi

, where Doralice led her up th

e in the opposite win

set of double wooden doors bearing the fami

idor, which was crowded with cent

he childre

urniture and two canopy beds. The only things that marked the room as belonging to children

arge, carpeted room to

leads to

n a beautiful chamber, luxuriously dec

onnecting door closed at

derst

ce had something to do with th

take your meals in the staff dining room. The children are meant to dine with the Count in the great hall, but

children didn't need more discipline. They

simply, keeping her

t saw no sign of it. She opened the large hardwood wardrobe and

to the balcony and

nd, overlooking a large gard

s main entrance. She could only see him from behind, but she cou

riving home, and waited for a summons. S