"No, but we will." Rosemary said, glaring at the line of servants. The tone of her voice was odd- was it determination, or desperation? She held her arms behind her back, pacing back and forth in front of the lineup. She stopped in front of a short woman with green hair, who was trying her hardest not to tremble. The girl was one of Basil's caregivers- his favorite, if she was being honest with herself. "We'll have an answer by the end of the day."
"M-Mistress Whitechalk, please!" the woman blurted out suddenly. "It wasn't-"
A loud smack echoed through the room as Rosemary backhanded her, leaving a nasty gash where her rings had connected with the girl's face. Some of the other servants flinched, trying desperately to keep their composure. "Did I give you permission to speak?" The noblewoman asked coldly. "If you're so confidant of your innocence, then you would have waited!"
It was at this point that Juniper stepped forward, mouth thin. "Mom..." she said slowly, a flicker of fear on her face. "Are you sure this is the most effective way of questioning them?"