“Check the taverns,” Mireille said, cutting through his self-loathing. “Most prisoners have visited at least a time or two. Perhaps one of the bartenders or servers has seen her.”
“And if they haven’t?” Ronin’s voice nearly broke.
Mireille turned her attention back to the game, her fingers lingering atop the white queen.
“Then you may have come to Tartarus for nothing.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Line up, everyone!”
Mistress Ostere’s clipped voice pulled Xenia from her breakfast of chopped apples and oatmeal. She pushed away from the table and joined the line of servants along the wall of the staff dining room on Stoneridge’s lower level.
Feet shifted, stubble was scratched, and yawns were stifled as Mistress Ostere surveyed her charges. The staff woke early, long before the sun, in order to get the estate up and running for the Zephyruses and their guests.
“Stoneridge is going to be in a state of constant activity for the next month,” Mistress Ostere said as she paced back and forth along the line. “Preparations for Master Cael and Mistress Elodie’s wedding will take precedence over any of your regular duties. And I don’t think I have to tell you that, should you be drawn away to work on something for the wedding, you will still be required to fulfill your regularly duties afterward.”
The responding grumbles and huffs were quickly silenced when Mistress Ostere whipped her head in search of the source.
“It’s going to be a long, hard month, but I trust you will all uphold the reputation of the household during that time.”
Mistress Ostere stopped in front of Xenia. “I’d also like to introduce you all to Mistress Cirillo.”
Xenia almost didn’t realize the woman was talking about her. Mistress Cirillo was her mother. She wasSisterCirillo.
What an oddly out of body experience; being bestowed with a new title.
“She’s new to the household. I trust you will all make her welcome and provide any requested assistance as she settles into her duties and learns the rules.”
Something about the way Mistress Ostere saidruleswas quite ominous.
Xenia lifted her head, surveying the reactions of her new colleagues—a few kind smiles, a few lingering looks, even a wary glare or two.
Mistress Ostere folded her hands behind her back. “Off you go. Have a productive day, everyone.”
The staff filed out while Xenia stayed against the wall, nodding her head and mutteringhellosandthank yousto those who welcomed her on their way out.
Once the space was empty, she found Mistress Ostere staring at her, head cocked. “You’re a bit more obedient than some of our previous newcomers. What’s your history, then?”
Xenia rubbed at her right wrist, at the empty space where her tattoo had been. “I was a Shrouded Sister in Thalenn before I…came here.” Such a simple way to describe her perilous journey.
“Praise Letha,” Mistress Ostere said.
“Praise Letha,” Xenia echoed quietly.
The woman stepped towards her, tugging at a stray curl. “You’re going to be a problem.”
“No, I?—”
“It wasn’t a question.” Mistress Ostere’s lips flattened. “The pretty ones always are.” The woman’s eyes flashed with concern. “What skills do you possess? I’m trying to figure out where Icould best place you to minimize…temptations. Do you have any experience with gardening or landscape work?”
Xenia shook her head.
Mistress Ostere stood silently, waiting for Xenia to elaborate. When she didn’t, the woman sighed heavily. “I’ll have you assist with the housekeeping.”
Housekeeping. Xenia could manage that.
“Keep your head down and do your work. You can start with the offices on the first floor. Master Zephyrus and his sons will be leaving on business for the day after breakfast.” She gestured toward silver serving trays on the counter between the dining room and the kitchen, each holding a folded name card. “Then this afternoon, move to the bedrooms in the guest wing.”
