She Took Me to the Hallway to Explain My “Place”

beside our table once again.

“Isabella,” she said with practiced warmth, “would you mind speaking with me privately?”

James started to stand.

She gently stopped him with one raised hand.

“Just Isabella.”

I folded my napkin, set it beside my plate, and rose without hesitation.

“Of course.”

She guided me into a quiet alcove just beyond the ballroom, where the continue reading …