The Bread Beneath Her Golden Heel

Chapter 2 - What Nobody Saw

Evelyn could feel every eye in the room.

For forty years, people had risen when she entered a meeting. Tonight they had watched her kneel beneath a woman's shoe.

The difference was a coat.

Daniel approached, staring at her face beneath the untidy gray hair.

“Are you hurt?”

“My hand stings. Nothing more.”

He looked toward the maid.

“Thank you. What's your name?”

“Clara, sir.”

Victoria gave a nervous laugh.

“I didn't recognize her. Surely you can see that.”

Daniel looked down at the bread again.

“What would recognizing her have changed?”

Victoria glanced toward the guests, searching for an expression she could borrow.

“There are procedures. We can't have people wandering in.”

“Then you could have asked a member of staff to help,” he said.

“She was taking food.”

“From my table.”

Evelyn raised a hand before the argument grew louder.

“I would like to sit down.”

Clara guided her to a chair. Daniel fetched water himself. Only then did Evelyn notice that the girl's fingers were trembling.

“You don't have to stay beside me,” she said.

Clara's eyes flicked toward Victoria.

“I was told to leave.”

Daniel set down the water.

“You haven't been dismissed. Victoria doesn't manage the staff.”

Clara looked relieved, but not surprised enough.

Evelyn noticed.

“How often has she told you otherwise?”

The girl lowered her eyes.

The silence answered first.