The Williams mansion had become colder, not physically but spiritually. It was tense, with an air of silence. Servants were talking of arguments and coded glances, of the silent power of Christiana and the stranglehold of Sophia on her plans.
Sophia was standing in her room staring at the window and Ethan and Christiana laughing in the garden below. Christiana had baked and her hands were full of flour, and Ethan smeared a streak down her cheek. They appeared to be carefree and engulfed in their own world.
Her nails had bitten her palms, Sophia. That should have been me. It ought to have been my laugh, my touch, my light in his eyes.
Her thoughts darkened. She had experimented with sweet, manipulation, lies, and secrets. Nothing had worked. She would draw Ethan, but in case she would not be able to do it, she would take him forcefully.
Sophia made all the arrangements that night. She put a note in the room of Ethan, in shaky, concealed, handwriting:
"Christiana is in trouble. Go out to the east wing and meet me.
Half-awakening to the reading of it, Ethan made no hesitation. Down the gloomy passage he ran, murmuring, Christiana? He arrived at the east wing, pounding with his heart.
The door creaked open. Candles waved in the room which smelled of rose. And there came Sophia in her silk, with heavy eyes.
Ethan froze. "Sophia? What is this? Where's Christiana?"
Sophia went nearer, and her lips were shivering with desperation. "She's not here. I had to bring you myself. Ethan..." Her voice cracked. "Why do you never see me? Why is it always her? Was I not able to show you how I desire you?
Ethan turned away shaking his head. "This isn't right. Stop it."
Sophia was reaching him with tears in her eyes. "Just one chance, Ethan. One second, one, please...one kiss. I can make you forget her."
Ethan caught her wrists between them, and his voice was up. "Enough! You can't force love, Sophia. Doing what you are, you are tearing this house apart.
But before Sophia had time to answer the door was opened.
Christiana stood up, and was pale, and her eyes were open with disbelief. After seeing the weird note on his desk, she had trailed Ethan behind. And here he was rolled in, Sophia, the candles, the proximity of the arrangement.
Her voice cracked. "Ethan..."
Ethan dropped Sophia at once, and walked over to Christiana. "It's not what you think! She tricked me, I swear--"
Christiana was shaking her head, and the tears flowed down her cheeks. "It's always something, Ethan. Always her between us."
She fled and he did not manage to stop her.
Her heart was broken, and Ethan followed her, but the triumphant whistle of Sophia still lingered in the room:
"She'll never trust you now."