A knock tapped lightly against the table.
Nina lifted her head.
Lady Emory stood before her, hands folded behind her back, her dark eyes resting steadily on Nina's face as though she had been waiting a while for her attention to return.
"What?" The word left her mouth before her brain could catch up with her thoughts.
There was silence.
She glanced at the room. Everyone was looking at her.
Nina swallowed as she straightened in her seat, schooling her expression as she wiped her sweaty hands on her dress.
"What did you say, Lady Emory? I didn't get your last words."
Emory held her gaze, studying her for a moment. One brow lifted slightly. Then her mouth softened into a faint smile.
"I asked if you had any questions," she said evenly. "We did not go over this yesterday."
The words pressed faintly against Nina's thoughts. She held her breath, making sure her expression gave nothing away, then she pulled her lips into a smile.
