The security monitor flickered to life.
Ruby stood beside Edward’s desk with her cleaning basket still hooked over one arm.
Mrs.
Thompson remained near the glass door, arms folded tightly across her chest.
In the hallway, Olly and Liam had stopped hiding.
They stood together, shoulder to shoulder, watching their father.
Edward pressed play.
The first recording showed Ruby’s second morning in the mansion.
She was mopping the marble hallway while Olly and Liam watched from behind a door.
On the screen, Ruby placed a rag on the head of a marble statue.
“Mr.
Statue, you’re looking distinguished today.”
The rag slipped over the statue’s face.
Two giggles came from the hallway.
Ruby did not turn toward the boys.
She simply continued cleaning.
Edward paused the video.
Mrs.
Thompson exhaled impatiently.
“I don’t understand what this proves.”
“Neither did I,” Edward said.
He started the next clip.
This time Ruby was pushing the vacuum cleaner through the library.
Olly appeared in the doorway.
Ruby gave the vacuum a frightened look.
“Stanley, we discussed this.
You cannot eat expensive curtains.
Mr.
Royce will sell both of us.”
Olly smiled.
Ruby kept her back to him.
He moved closer.
She never called his name.
Never asked him to speak.
Never told him to smile.
She simply gave him somewhere safe to stand.
Edward looked at Mrs.
Thompson.
“You said she was forcing herself into their routine.”
“She is,” the nanny replied.
“Perhaps not physically, but emotionally.
They are vulnerable children.
This isn’t appropriate.”
Ruby finally spoke.
“I never asked them for anything.”
Mrs.
Thompson turned sharply.
“You encouraged attachment.”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed, but her voice stayed level.
“I encouraged a stuffed bear to survive a crumb emergency.”
Margaret, who had appeared quietly near the office entrance, covered her mouth.
Even Edward almost smiled.
Mrs.
Thompson did not.
“This isn’t funny.”
“No,” Edward said.
