Chapter Sixty Six

Suzy trailed behind Doris, her steps uncharacteristically slow.  Her cheeks still burned faintly from the encounter with Ryan, and a strange flutter filled her chest.  Why was she feeling this way?  She hadn't done anything wrong, had she?  A stray thought of Ryan's touch on her lips sent a shiver down her spine, and her heart hammered against her ribs with a beat that was far from normal.

They reached the grand ballroom, and Suzy straightened her posture, pushing away the confusing emotions.  There, in the center of the room, stood Miss Adeline, still barking orders at the flustered servants.  Her voice was rude, sharp and commanding, her movements efficient and precise.

"Miss Adeline?"  Suzy called out, her voice clear and surprisingly calm.

Miss Adeline turned around, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face at the interruption.  "What's it now, Duchess?" she snapped, her perfectly arched eyebrows raised in a question.