Chapter 34

“What household owned you before this, Avery?” Victoria asked.

Avery paused in her brushing of Victoria’s long blonde hair. Victoria was a late riser and Mrs. Lanning had sent her to Victoria’s room with a breakfast tray after the others had finished eating. Victoria had demanded she wait in her room while she ate breakfast, and Vivian and Sophia had shown up just as she was finishing.

Vivian poured herself a cup of tea and the women chatted familiarly. Avery made Victoria’s bed and folded her clothes from the night before, while Sophia followed her around the room and chattered happily to her. She was about to leave when Victoria handed her the brush.

Sighing inwardly, Avery had begun to brush the woman’s soft, blonde hair as Sophia watched. Now, she glanced at Victoria in the mirror and gave her a small smile.

“I was in a slave house, m’lady. Lord Tristan purchased me and my sister on his way home from the city.”

“And before that?” Victoria prompted.<