The hooded man standing near the door gasped softly. He immediately rushed forward. He knelt down on the floor next to Isabel and grabbed her arm, trying to help her up.
"My lady! Are you alright?" the hooded man asked quickly.
Isabel slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position. She held her burning cheek with her trembling hand.
She looked up at Camilla. Her blue eyes were wide with disbelief. She was shocked.
"You..." Isabel stammered weakly, her voice shaking violently. "You slapped me?"
She could not process what had just happened. She was a noble lady of the Ryde family. She had never been struck by anyone in her entire life.
Camilla slowly reached her hand into the hidden pocket of her dress and pulled out a white lace handkerchief.
She did not speak immediately. She began to wipe her hand slowly with the white cloth. She wiped her palm and her fingers carefully, acting exactly as if she had just touched something filthy and disgusting.
