Page 47 of Deadly Misfortunes

The woman smiled, then walked over to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of orange juice.

Sascha stared through the window that overlooked the gardens out back. “This sure is a pretty place. But kind of big for one man to live in.”

“He needs a family. Though Rose often stays here with him.” Maria set the glass of orange juice on the table for Sascha.

“Where is Rose?”

“At their parents' home.”

“Where did Gregory go?”

“He had an errand to run, ma’am. He didn’t say where he was going or what he was doing.”

“How long has he been gone?”

“About an hour and a half.”

Sascha sighed deeply. “He should have awakened me.”

“You were sleeping soundly, he said.”

“Oh.”

Coward. He didn’t want to face her after what they’d done.

A few minutes later, Maria served her an egg garnished with parsley, chives, and orange slices, along with two pieces of toast and an assortment of jellies and honey. “Are you sure you don’t need anything else, ma’am? Coffee?”

“Earl Grey tea, thank you. How long have you worked for him, Maria?”

“Five years, ma’am.”

“Here?” She scooped up a forkful of egg.

“No, he had a much smaller place. Then he decided he wanted a bigger home for when he could raise a family.”

“Hmm, this is good, Maria. You must have added some special seasoning.”

“Lemon and pepper.”

“Really good. So was there any woman in particular that Gregory was interested in?”

“Three years ago, he thought so. But it didn’t work out.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear it.”

“But now, you, you’ll do nicely.”

Sascha smiled at her. “Why? Because I saved you from making cocoa for us last night?”

Maria’s dark brown eyes smiled back at her as her lips inched up slightly. “You’ll do just fine.”

“You were with the family before this, weren’t you?”

“Yes. Since I was the age Mr. Landry is now. His parents made him leave home at eighteen to make his fortune on his own. He struggled for a while and lived in a rental duplex near where yours is back then.”

“Oh?” Now that shocked her. She figured he had grown up with a silver spoon, and once he was old enough, the family had given him a business of his own, and he made a success of it. Then was able to buy this fancy mansion.

But her parents had done the same thing with her and her cousins. Sent them out on their own at eighteen, and they had to sink or swim, despite how wealthy Aunt Meg and Uncle Jimmy were. Unless the cousins were in desperate need of something, they never asked them for anything.