“This house is about to be mine, Daniela,” she whispered, stepping so close I could see the tiny flecks of gold in her hazel eyes.

“In three weeks, I will be the mistress of this estate.”

“And the very first thing I am going to do is pack your bags and send you both to that boarding school in Switzerland.”

“Your father has already signed the preliminary paperwork.”

“He just hasn’t told you yet.”

Martina looked up at me, her eyes wide with sudden panic.

“Is that true, Daniela?” Martina whispered.

“Of course it isn’t,” I said, keeping my eyes fixed on Patricia.

“She is trying to scare us.”

“But it won’t work.”

Patricia laughed again, a harsh sound that cut through the kitchen.

“Ask him yourself when he comes down,” Patricia said.

“But right now, you have a police captain on his way.”

“And unless you want Rosa to spend the night in a holding cell, I suggest you step aside and let her walk out the back door.”

She pointed toward the heavy oak door that led to the gravel path behind the servants’ quarters.