Now she was looking more closely, she could see evidence of other injuries: small scars and bigger ones. How long had this been going on?
James pulled his arm away, sliding the sleeve down quickly. “See, it’s fine.”
Aoife stared at him. “How old are you?”
He looked surprised by the question. “22, why?”
“Same as me. How long have you worked here?”
He looked at her sideways. “Why?”
“Just curious.”
“Started as a hall boy when I was 12, under the former prefect.”
The maths was easy. Ten years. Ten years he’d been working here and taking beatings for things that weren’t his fault.
“I’ve never been punished the way you have, never taken a beating. I never realised that made me lucky.”
“Makes you abnormal.”
“Does he do it to the other staff as well?” Aoife had a sudden, horrific image of Halverton beating Clara and wanted to vomit.
He studied her, weighing up how much information to tell her, then shrugged. “Most of the staff have no cause to interact with Lord Halverton. Kit and I, we’re the faces he sees every day. We’re responsible for maintaining the good reputation of Blackthorn Hall.”
“What about Mr Lanyon?”
“He’s too old for a beating.”
“I meant, does he not step in?”
“He did, once. Took a lash to the neck for his troubles. So, no, Mr Lanyon does not step in.”
Silence settled between them, thick and uncomfortable.
James straightened; the familiar mask sliding into place. “You should go, miss.”
Aoife opened her mouth, then closed it again.
“If Halverton finds out you were here when there are guests waiting above—”
He didn’t finish the thought.
Then she drew a slow breath and forced her hands to unclench as she slid down from the table. She checked his burn, dry now, and bandaged it with skilled, practised movements.
“Keep it dry. Try not to use that arm when you can. I’ll come down and change it later.”
James clenched his jaw, forcing the words out. “Thank you, miss.”
She composed herself, smoothing her dress and patting her hair.
She practised the calm, pleasant, unreadable Eldrossi smile.
Aoife walked back to the breakfast room, still fuming. How many times had this happened? And none of the staff had stepped in to protect him. There were thirty staff here. Halverton is one man. Even if he is one man with the power, the soldiers and the support of an entire empire behind him. It was hard to comprehend that the balance of power was so far in his favour.
She arrived at the breakfast room, took a deep breath, straightened her skirts, and pushed the door open.
The visitors were already seated.
