Clara Meadows stood outside the Duchess's chamber door, her hands trembling slightly as she smoothed down her freshly pressed apron. My throat felt dry as I gathered the courage to knock. Working for the new Duchess meant dealing with the woman everyone in town whispered about—the cursed lady who hid her face behind a mask. The rumors about what lay beneath that mask had kept me awake half the night.
I raised my hand and knocked timidly.
"Enter," called a clear voice from within.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside, keeping my eyes lowered respectfully. "Good morning, my lady. I'm Clara Meadows, assigned as your new lady's maid."
"Good morning, Clara Meadows," the Duchess replied, her voice pleasant but firm. "Is there a reason you've addressed me incorrectly?"
My head snapped up in alarm, meeting the gaze of the masked woman sitting by the window. Despite the mask covering half her face, I could see she was studying me intently.
