Chapter 245

Lily carried Katherine out of the servants' quarters, saying her goodbyes to the staff. It took every bit of her self-control not to cry. These men and women were good, loyal people who had helped her settle into a life here, a life that had become a happy dream, at least when she was wasn't reminded that she was the cuckoo in their nest.

She looked back upon the house before she summoned a coach. The beautiful townhouse looked much like the other houses on the street, but the red door with a lion's head knocker would always be home for her, and leaving it made her heart ache.

"Mama?" Katherine whispered drowsily and burrowed closer to her.

She stroked a hand up and down Katherine's head before she climbed into the coach. "Sleep, love."