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“Congratulations once again on your happy union,” she said to Sybil and Mr. Carlisle. She gave them both fresh glasses of Champagne. After tonight, Sybil no longer lived or worked at the Manoir. Her room was empty, save for the furniture, and her role had gone from potential serving woman to honored guest.

“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done!” Sybil slammed into Monique, knocking her off her feet but keeping her locked tight in a firm embrace. “This happiness wouldn’t be possible without you.”

“You’re quite welcome.” Monique managed to foist her off and back into Mr. Carlisle’s care.She’s yours to deal with now.Monique had no hard feelings, but there was an empty room no longer making money in her Manoir… now, if it were Yvette leaving…

All parties come to an end, even if someone like Sybil attempted to keep things going with more drinks and more pleas for people to stay.There will be plenty of time for you to go to parties like this in the future.On her wedding day, Sybil had many things to look forward to: like being the center of attention as Page 6’s luckiest woman in the world.Just think!An eligible bachelor like Mr. Carlisle picking a woman like her of all people.It was the stuff dreams were made of. Even if women came in there never thinking they would marry a patron, the idea that they could was a tempting one.

Final jokes of“I’m making an honest woman out of her,”and“Sure, you think she’s fun now, but wait until she becomes your wife!”made the rounds as the happy couple received their final farewells in the front hallway. Once Mr. Carlisle and his blushing fiancée Sybil stepped toward his car, Monique took her leave and delegated cleanup tasks to the staff.

“Didn’t even have time to read the paper this morning.” She picked up a copy in the dining room as she ate an after-party snack of fruit and buttered bread. Her head ached from everything going on. Or maybe it was the uncertainty plaguing her ever since she saw Jacqueline at the Warner estate.

“Anything good in the paper?” June sat next to Monique. “I didn’t see any disasters.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Monique turned the paper over and pretended she wasn’t interested in the obituaries.It’s not morbid, I swear.

June didn’t say anything as they passed the bowl of fruit back and forth. She didn’t say anything, at least, until a smile cracked on her face. “Going to be weird without that pup around here anymore. Who will wear the pearls now?”

Monique sighed. “I don’t want to think about it. I’m going to have to replace her soon, and I’m already swamped as it is.” She glanced at June. “Maybe I should poach at Midnight again. Seemed to work for me last time.”

“I still have some contacts there. I could ask around to see if anyone is interested in working here.”

“Would you? That would help out a lot.”

“Sure.” June pulled her bag closer and removed a small folder from its depths. It slapped onto the table between her and Monique. “Why don’t you get started with these?”

Laughter, as forced as it was, shot from Monique’s throat. “You’ve got too much time on your hands. I need to put you to work more often.”

“Yes, you do.” June patted the folder. “Let’s start by choosing who I think is the best candidate in here. Some real whippers and floor-crawlers in here.”

That night Monique learned to let go of more of her work. What she couldn’t let go of, however, was the anxiety in her chest.

Chapter 23

Unpaid Debts

Nothing should have made Monique happier than seeing her phone light up every time Helen called. However, these days it was more like that sinking sense of dread.

“Good evening,” she said, attempting to summon those good feelings from before. Yet every time she heard Helen’s voice, she now thought of Jacqueline. That was not an association she needed.

“How is my beautiful princess doing?” Helen sounded tired, although she did her best to mask it. “Keeping her fort happy, I’m assuming.”

“Don’t I always?”

Helen jumped right into the topic at hand. “I have great news. I’m finally back in town for a while. You’ll be pleased to know that we got the company in Toronto.”

“Congratulations.” Business mergers were always a big deal, although Monique barely understood what went into them.Schmoozing. Promises. A significant amount of money.Helen could do all of those with ease.

“So you know what that means, of course.”

“Of course. You want to see me.”

“Well, don’t you want to see me?”

She almost sounded unsure, as if she had misinterpreted Monique this entire time.She’s thinking of that other woman she lost.The one Sam Witherspoon said nearly broke her heart. Monique could almost relate.

“Naturally, I want to see you. I wish you were here right now.” Monique was in her chambers, sprawled out across her bed and staring at the dark ceiling. Not an uncommon place to find her after a busy night. I wish she were here…Lying with her. Stroking her forehead. Whispering into her ear that she could have whatever she wanted.I want the truth.

Before Helen flirted with her, Monique said, “There’s something we need to talk about.”