Shelagh crouched beside me and patted my cheek, slow and deliberate, every touch a humiliation. "Can't have you bearing more children down the line. All that squabbling over heirs gets so tiresome."
"My wedding is in two days. I still need to go try on my jeweled crown. If you'll excuse me."
As she stood, she let her robe fall open just enough to reveal the jade pendant at her waist.
Chester's jade pendant. He told me once that his mother left it to him, the only thing he had of hers. And he had given it to Shelagh.
She was nearly at the door when she paused, as though something had just occurred to her. "Oh, one more thing. Chester transferred this property into my name. I hear you're fond of the simple country life, so by all means, keep living here. Just remember, it's my house now. My rules."
My whole body went rigid. When Chester burned down our cottage, he told me he bought this place for me. Told me I could fill the yard with fruit trees and vegetable gardens.
He never intended to give me anything. Not from the very beginning.
"Shelagh."
I called after her, my voice scraped hollow.
"Miss Fox, have you ever heard of Princess Stella Henson?"