Chapter 31. It Must Have Been the Maid

Doris's POV

I glanced over at Martin who was watching me from his spot at the table, Lady Grace paying no attention. I straightened my stance and smiled at him. He returned the smile and kept his eyes locked on mine for what felt like an eternity. He looked as if he wanted to say a thousand things to me but of course, he couldn't with his family surrounding him.

I finally broke eye contact and stared down at my feet

I was startled by the sounds of coughing and the clattering of a spoon as it hit the ground. I looked at the table and noticed that Melody was leaning back in her chair and away from the table; her face was red, and her hand was on her chest as she gasped for air.

Her coughing caused small bits of mucus to come out of her mouth which visibly disgusted the women at the table. Everyone was silent as they turned their direction to Melody.

For a moment, I thought she was choking on something, and I wondered why nobody was moving to help her. But