บททั้งหมดของ Becoming Mrs. Blackwood: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 46

~ LENA ~Silence descended.It wasn’t the peaceful, comfortable kind. It was the type that made every hair on my body stand. Made me aware of the shocked stares of the women closest to us who, apparently, had heard every word Camille had spoken.Then, like ripples spreading across perfectly still water, the silence travelled. Conversations nearby faltered, laughter dwindled, more heads turned in our direction. Not because everyone had heard what Camille said, but because they’d noticed the sudden tension.“Camille!” Vivienne reacted, her smile turning into a frown. Her voice was quiet, but filled with disappointment.Camille looked at her without the slightest hint of remorse. “What?” she asked lightly. “I merely made an observation. Being honest shouldn’t be a problem. Should it?”She glanced around at the uncomfortable faces surrounding us, amusement dancing in her green eyes.“Kimberly isn’t ‘anyone’ as you put it,” Vivienne said. “In case you haven’t heard, she’s Nathan Blackwood’s

~ LENA ~“Oh, Margaret.”Before I could as much as say a word, Camille’s voice cut through the silence. It drifted across the table, smooth as silk, carrying just enough warmth to avoid sounding rude.Heads turned in her direction as she smiled graciously. “I’m not sure that’s entirely fair.”Margaret regarded her with silent curiosity.Camille folded her hands neatly on the table.“Kimberly has only just joined us. She’s still getting acquainted with the Circle.” She looked at me, her smile still perfectly composed. “It hardly seems right to put her on the spot before she’s had the chance to understand how we do things around here.”A few women exchanged uncertain glances.“I don’t think Margaret is putting her on the spot,” Vivienne spoke gently beside me, looking directly at Camille. “She’s only inviting Kimberly to share her thoughts. There’s no harm in hearing from someone new. Let her speak.”On the surface, Camille sounded thoughtful, protective. But beneath her carefully chose

~ CAMILLE ~By the time the driver turned the car through the gates of the Devereux estate, the dull pounding behind my temples had developed into a full-blown headache.I sighed, lifting my fingers to my temple and pressing them lightly against the throbbing spot the same way I had done several times during the drive home, hoping the ache would finally ease.But it didn’t. If anything, it seemed to be getting worse.I closed my eyes for a moment and drew in a slow breath as the car rolled down the drive. When I opened them again, I was staring at the mansion.It looked magnificent as it always did. Grand. The kind of home people slowed their cars to admire. The kind of house women dreamed of living in.Once upon a time… I’d been one of those women.These days, I barely noticed it anymore. Not the lovely gardens. Or the impressive fountain standing in the center of the circular driveway with its marble Grecian statue.I’d driven past it thousands of times. But just like almost everyth