She sighed and went to the kitchen. “Flora, just make something simple for dinner tonight. Oh, but the spicy fish stew must be perfect.” After giving her instructions, she realized she hadn’t told Hanley what to buy. “Text a list to Hanley. He’s gone to the market.”
The housekeeper nodded, and Frieda, with a yawn, went upstairs for a nap.
Back at Southgarde, Ruby was on the receiving end of a fierce glare from Hayley. “What?” she asked, fighting a smile.
“Why did you agree?” Hayley demanded. “It’s a trap. You know they’re up to something.”
“She’s right,” Fanny added, her expression serious. “Even if it isn’t dangerous, it’s just going to be them trying to manipulate you. After how terribly Frieda has treated you, this sudden mother-of-the-year act can only be Hanley’s doing.”
“There’s an old saying,” Ruby said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “The bigger the hope, the bigger the disappointment.”
Hayley sat up straight, her annoyance instantly replaced by excitement. “You’re going to mess with them?”
“Mm-hmm,” Ruby confirmed with a sly smile. “Hanley is only playing nice with Frieda because he wants to get his hands on the Steele fortune for himself and Violet. I’m going to let him build his hopes up as high as they can go, just so I can watch them come crashing down.”
Her words, delivered with a cool intensity, sent a shiver down her friends’ spines.


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