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“Please, can I ask you not to discuss this with anyone? I feel so embarrassed.”
Verity waved her plea away. “People will talk; nothing you can do about it. But the rest of us are glad. We were afraid the master would die alone. And as rough and gruff as he is, we care for him.”
Eloise let out a breath of relief. She’d expected scorn from Verity and other ladies of the house, but she should have known better.
“So, are you going to stay with us, then?” Verity asked as she finally sat next to Eloise.
Eloise played with the pleats of her dressing gown. “You know I can’t do that,” she said quietly.
“What do you mean, you can’t do that? I thought you were a good girl? Once rutted, once married type.”
Eloise let out a burst of nervous laughter at the crude turn of phrase her friend used. “My brother is a thief-taker. He won’t be too happy with this.”
“Well, we aren’t going to let you go so easily,” Verity said confidently. “Now eat.”
Eloise smiled at the reassurance from her friend. Although she doubted it would be as easy as that. Besides, she still wasn’t certain whether Keyon wanted her to stay with him or not. She’d have to have this conversation with him sooner rather than later.
Eloise took the tray and placed it between Verity and herself like she always did when she breakfasted in her room.
She took the cup of tea and froze with the cup halfway to her mouth.
“What?” Verity raised her eyes to hers.
A piece of fruit captured Eloise’s eye, and she placed her cup back. “Where did you get this?” Eloise asked as she took the pomegranate in her hand.
Verity shrugged and broke a piece of toast, preparing to butter it. “I don’t know. I am not the one who buys food. But the master was adamant this thing be on your tray.”
Warmth unfurled from inside her and spread along her limbs. That was his way of asking her to stay. She bit on the inside of her cheek to keep herself from grinning like an idiot. But she contained herself and placed the fruit back. She could not accept the offering. Not yet. Not before she spoke to her brother.
