Alice's mouth fell open. "All of them, Mrs. Blackwood?"
"Yes," Claudia said crisply. "Everything."
"But—" Alice hesitated, then quickly corrected herself. "I mean—where should I put them?"
"Dispose of them," Claudia replied. "Burn them if necessary."
"Is everything alright, ma'am?" Alice asked carefully.
"Everything is splendid," she said with a smile that made Alice's spine prickle. "Just splendid."
Alice nodded, unsure whether that was reassurance or warning.
"Inform Benedict to call the handyman," Claudia continued briskly. "He needs to fix some dimmer lights. The overheads are far too harsh." She glanced toward the bed. "Put silk sheets on it. I'll be back soon. I'm going shopping."
And just like that, she was gone, leaving Alice standing in the middle of the room.
Claudia headed into town.
She stepped into a high-end clothing store favored by council wives and mistresses.
