CHAPTER TWOBy the time that luncheon was ready, Novella had decided that she must formulate a plan to safeguard her mother, herself and Crownley Hall.
‘I must not let my stepfather think that I am a weakling who is easily swayed like Mama,’ she said to herself as she splashed her face with cold water. ‘He is obviously used to being obeyed and I have no intention of doing so unless it is necessary – he is not my Papa.’
Novella was cool and collected by the time she entered the dining room.
Her mother was already there, pacing up and down by the large, picture window that overlooked the front gardens and drive.
“Ah, Novella, dearest, are you feeling better?”
“Quite, Mama, thank you.”
“Darling, I am so sorry that you had such a shock about Salamander, but really, he was going to waste s
