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"You are not doing this again," Louiza whispered, keeping her smile fixed for their aunt's benefit.

"I have no idea what you mean," Olivia whispered.

"You always do this, take the punishment," Louiza said.

Olivia's heart tightened. It was true. She had spent her entire life throwing herself between Louiza and anything unpleasant, whether the danger was real or merely one of their mother's dreadful lectures. But this time she could not allow herself to win. If Louiza became the maid, Olivia knew she would never forgive herself.

"I am quite obviously the bad influence," Olivia said, turning toward Lady Jane. "Louiza has always been the sensible one."

"That is not true," Louiza protested.

"I once climbed onto the roof to rescue a kitten," Olivia said.

"I pushed you onto the roof first," Louiza countered.

Lady Jane's patience appeared to be thinning. "Enough," she snapped. "Which one of you is the troublesome girl?"

Both twins opened their mouths. Neither had the opportunity to answer.

Louiza suddenly reached toward a nearby table, seized a porcelain vase and hurled it against the floor.

The crash echoed through the entrance hall. Olivia stared at the shattered pieces. Lady Jane stared at the shattered pieces. The servants stared at the shattered pieces.

Louiza stood perfectly still, looking almost as shocked by her own actions as everyone else.

Then Lady Jane screeched. "You!" she cried, pointing furiously at Louiza. "Take her away! Take her to the servants' quarters immediately. She may remain there with the rest of the servants until she learns some manners!"

Olivia's mouth fell open. "Louiza …" Her heart was pounding with anger and confusion. She leaned closer and whispered, "Why did you do that?"

Louiza's voice came quietly, "Because you could never survive being trapped as a servant."

Olivia's eyes filled with tears.

"But you can survive society," Louiza continued softly. "You can argue with anyone, charm anyone and frighten anyone when you put your mind to it. I can handle being a maid. You cannot."

Olivia shook her head. "Louiza, that is not fair."

"I know," came the quiet reply. "But neither is life."

Two servants approached. Louiza gave Olivia the smallest shake of her head, and for once Olivia obeyed.

As the servants took Louiza toward the corridor, Olivia hurried after them until Lady Jane seized her arm. "Do not make matters worse."

"But …"

"Your sister has behaved disgracefully."

Olivia remained frozen, feeling as though something precious had been torn out of her chest. Her sister had sacrificed herself for her, and Olivia hated it because she understood exactly why Louiza had done it. All her life Olivia had believed she was the brave one, but she had been wrong. Courage did not always look like charging into danger. Sometimes it looked like picking up a vase and deliberately smashing it.

Lady Jane abruptly seized Olivia by the arm.

"Come along."

Olivia stumbled after her. "Where are we going?"

"To your chamber."

"But Louiza …"