Bella's POV
Richard stepped closer, his displeasure evident. "What's the meaning of this, Martha?"
If Martha weren't one of Ursula's trusted allies, he would've already had her dragged out.
Jasper and Genevieve exchanged bewildered glances.
Martha straightened, her bearing commanding and resolute.
She fixed her cold stare on Phoebe. "Tell them exactly what happened when Lady Ivy followed Lord Thorne that day."
Phoebe's head dropped as she spoke quietly, "I followed them and heard Lord Thorne tell Lady Ivy there was no need to see him off."
"He said it wasn't appropriate for unmarried people to be alone, especially at their age. Better to avoid gossip."
A polite rejection, plain and simple.
Understanding dawned in Jasper's eyes. He turned toward Ivy, finding her face wet with tears, completely humiliated.
"You left because of Lucius?" The realization hit him hard.
Ivy's tears came faster at his words.
Her silence cut through Jasper like a blade.
