We were all to be gathered in the drawing room. It was time to discuss Lowe's punishment. I had actually wanted to discuss it with Ivan earlier, but when I woke up in the morning, he was gone. My body still ached from the night before—he had taken me twice, leaving me utterly exhausted. I didn't even know when he had risen to leave.
The next thing I knew, a maid was sent up to call me to the drawing room. Apparently, Ivan wanted me present for the discussion. But I had wanted to talk to him first, to share my thoughts before facing the rest of the family. I had so many things I wanted to say, questions I needed answered, but there was no time.
