Annamarie let go of Serena's hand and stepped aside. Serena straightened her spine and clasped her hands. The woman who had greeted them rushed down the staircase and stopped an arm's length away from Serena.
She bowed slightly and smoothed her apron, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
"I didn't know you'd be here so quickly," she blurted out. "The letter had only gone out two days ago-"
"Samantha!" a woman called sharply, interrupting the rambling.
Serena turned toward the top of the stairs. A woman stood there, posture stiff as a rod, eyes narrowed with the kind of disapproval that needed no words. She had aged gracefully, her black hair pinned neatly under her white cap. Her eyes narrowed, and her frown deepened.
Samantha visibly flinched, her shoulders folding inward. She stepped aside, head lowered like a scolded child. The woman at the top stepped down, taking her time.
