Page 30 of Wicked with Him

The poor woman looked decidedly nervous, but eventually she shrugged. “I’d worked for the Fletchers since I was a girl.”

“They’ve never mentioned it.”

“Likely not. Mrs. Fletcher got the idea in her head that I was making eyes at her son, and he with me.”

“With Mr. Fletcher?”

“Yes, madam. But it is not true. He would never look at me the way he looks at…” The maid shook her head. “He’s a great man, Mr. Fletcher. Far too far above the likes of me, I know. He would never want me that way.”

“Mary, who do you think Mr. Fletcher does favor?”

“You.” The maid stilled and kept her eyes downcast. “He would make any woman happy, I’m sure.”

Amity moved into the room and sat at the kitchen table. She sensed in the other woman bitterness she knew only too well. Had Mary developed real feelings for Mr. Fletcher over the years of her employment, despite claiming that she had not? “Mary, I’m a married woman.”

“I know that now.” The maid peeked at her under her lashes, eyes flashing anger. “But in the beginning, it seemed…”

From that look, it was clear the woman had not ever believed her story. Might never have, actually, which made Roman’s arrival well timed.

Amity gestured behind her. “For heaven’s sake. My husband is upstairs, in my bed, right this very minute.”

The maid’s eyes widened. “So, you forgave him?”

“Not completely. That is why I am giving you the day off. We have much to talk about, my husband and I, before I can forgive him,” she assured the woman. “He did betray me.”

The maid chewed her lip. “Are you sure you should be alone with him today, madam?”

“Quite sure. My husband is not a violent man. Unfaithful, yes, and he knows I won’t forgive him easily after the humiliation he dealt me. But what we discuss is between us alone.” She definitely wanted no one to interrupt her and Roman because she hoped to find out how long he might stay and how often they might make love in that time. “I’ll manage everything else on my own, I promise, and see you tomorrow morning as usual.”

She made a shooing motion with her hands, and the now grinning maid bobbed a curtsey, removed her apron, caught up her shawl and slipped out the back door. When Mary smiled, she was remarkably pretty. How typical of a man like Mr. Fletcher not to notice he was loved from afar in vain.

Amity heaved a sigh, committed now to this wild tale they’d concocted together. She was the wife with a husband who had to be accommodated, and made to suffer, too. He should probably move his possessions from the inn to her own home sometime today, too.

She had to admit, she didn’t mind having Roman for a husband at all. He made her crave things she hadn’t known existed. She could easily become addicted to his kisses, and that made her feel decidedly weak around him.

“Is everything all right?”

Amity looked up with a smile on her lips, so glad to hear his voice again. She rushed to kiss him. Roman was only partially dressed, standing bare foot in her home. She took in his lean rumpled form and her heart flipped in excitement for what might happen between them today. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving for you.” He captured her and held her close. “I woke to find you gone.”

“I’m hungry. After last night…”

“Lovemaking does work up an appetite, doesn’t it,” he murmured before nuzzling her neck, as had become his habit. He moved past her into the kitchen. “Is there any tea?”

“Yes, and porridge soon, too,” she promised, rushing to the pot to stir it.

Roman followed and peered over her shoulder into the pot. “Ah, your maid has been here, has she?”

Amity frowned and stirred some more. “I could have done it.”

Roman scowled. “I would hope you didn’t have to. That would be the last indignity I could bear if you were forced to cook your own meals. Your cousin should have provided sufficiently that you never needed to toil in any kitchen.”

Amity laughed at his protest. When she’d first arrived, she had wondered how severe her banishment would be. However, she’d been met by a couple who acted as housekeeper and gardener. They came by once a week at her request. “He did provide me with staff. But I’ve reduced the hours of toil for all he employed, mostly on account of their ages and my lack of need. I want to learn to cook a little, too. Just the necessities, you understand.”

Roman lifted the heavy kettle steaming over the stove and filled a delicate teapot set on the worktable. Amity stirred the porridge again, but it seemed little improved by doing so. She should have asked Mary when it would be ready before sending her away. It was too late to call her back now though. “I don’t think this is done yet.”

Roman looked over her shoulder. “Agreed. You’ll have to suffice to satisfy my hunger.”