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Upon awaking the next morning, Scarlett hobbled into the bathroom and drew a tub of hot water. There was a tickle in her chest and her throat was sore, but she was not unduly concerned. She’d expected to catch some type of bug after being in the rain for several hours.
The bath consumed a large portion of her time, but it was still only ten when Darren came across her trying to make it down the stairs. “Why didn’t you ring me?” He gently carried her down the stairs, into the breakfast room.
“I didn’t want to disturb you,” said Scarlett as the maid came in the room to take their requests for breakfast. “Will Carter be joining us?” Scarlett inquired casually.
Darren shrugged. “He usually does.”
Scarlett peered behind her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t behind her. “Why am I here, Darren? What’s going on?”
He shifted uncomfortably. “That’s not my place to say, Scarlett. It’s between your father and the Carter.”
“Don’t you think it concerns me too?” Scarlett frowned. “I’ve been signed over as collateral for six months, and I don’t even understand what’s going on.”
“I can’t tell you anything except you wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t agreed to the deal.”
“Well that isn’t any help, Darren.” Pursing her lips, Scarlett decided to try a different track. “How did you come to work for Carter?”
“He saved my life.” Darren rose to help the maid as she returned with a large tray bearing their breakfast. “My motorcycle crashed, and he dragged me out of the wreckage seconds before it exploded.”
“Oh so he’s a hero?”
“I don’t think he would agree with you there.”
“What’s the big secret?” Scarlett asked impatiently. “I’m just trying to find out a little background on my captor.”
“Your captor?” Carter asked coolly from the doorway. “I thought I was the man who held the lien on you, but I guess captor works.”
Scarlett frowned at him. “How long have you been lurking there?”
“Long enough.” Carter walked farther into the room. “Darren, would you excuse us for a short time?”
Without complaint, Darren gathered up his plate and left the room. A heavy silence descended behind Darren, and Scarlett swallowed. Her throat hurt, and she took a gulp of grape juice to relieve the pain, which had the added advantage of breaking their eye contact.
Carter smiled, with just a hint of coldness in his eyes. “I’d appreciate you not grilling my employees for information about me. They are completely loyal, but it’s possible that someone as devious as you may be able to trip them up. I would hate to have to fire anyone over you.”
“Devious?” Scarlett hissed in outrage. “I’m not devious, but I am in the dark. I was just trying to get a little background on you.”
“My life and my past are none of your concern. You’ll mind your own business in this house, Ms. Terini. Perhaps it won’t hurt you to learn to respect others while you’re with us. Maybe I can send you back to that worthless rat-bastard a better person.”
Scarlett blinked at the tears that suddenly filled her eyes. No one had ever spoken to her in such a hateful way before. “Why are you speaking to me like this? Where did you get the impression that I’m devious and have no respect for others?”
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Carter said cryptically. “I know you and your type, and I’ve never liked it. You’re a spoiled rich girl who’s always gotten her way, and you don’t know how to treat people who you feel are beneath you.”
Shaking her head in confusion, Scarlett whispered, “That’s not true. I’m nice to everyone, except you,” she said with sudden spunk.
“Yes, I’ll bet you’re real nice.” He snorted. “Tell me, have you ever given any of your old clothes away to the maids, or the servants’ children? I’ll bet you also make sure they get at least half a day off on Christmas, and one day off a week,” he said with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
Scarlett shifted uncomfortably. She did pass along her clothes to Marcia and the other staff, and she always tried to make sure they alternated who worked Christmas. He was making her good deeds sound selfish and unimportant. “What’s wrong with that?” Her chin inclined a notch.
“Did it ever occur to you to make sure your maid had enough money to buy her own clothes, or even to ask her if she wanted your cast-offs? Did you ever think that your staff has a family and a life too, and they might not want to spend their holidays waiting on your family?”
“Look at this house.” Scarlett swept a hand around. “It doesn’t run without
a large-sized staff either. Can you say that all of your servants have Christmas off?” she queried in a biting tone.
“No, but when they are forced to work holidays, they’re allowed to participate in the festivities. Have you ever invited anyone in your father’s employ to join you for dinner?” Carter lifted brow his brow, his expression skeptical.
Scarlett dropped her eyes, unable to say that she had.
