AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She turned, regarding him from beneath her lashes. “Yes, Your Grace.”
* * *
Letty hurried off to the kitchens, her heart beating pitter pattering like raindrops on roses, knees feeling so weak she was hard put to walk in a straight line. She had never felt so many things in her life. The world around her never looked more uncertain.
Mrs. Gendry looked up, eyebrows raised. “Yes, Letty?”
“The Duke would like some coffee.”
The housekeeper turned towards the fires over which sat a clay kettle simmering gently. She picked it up by its handle and moved to the serving tables where cutlery was laid. She filled the glass kettle full before handing it over to Letty.
With a nod of thanks, she took it and went back to the dining room.
What will he ask me now? What shall I tell him?
She was no stranger to interrogation but she had never been subjected to one over a pleasant breakfast.
She put down the tray and poured the Duke a cup. His mouth was set in a stern line, as it was wont to be in when he was not smiling. His eyes—deep pools of glacial blue—were searing her soul as if he could see every secret she harbored there. His hands lay flat on the table, covering the entire length of the plate. She knew how capable those hands were of violence, but she had also seen their gentleness as he held his child close, when he took her hand, and kissed it.
He picked up the cup without breaking his gaze from hers and took a sip.
“Is it to your satisfaction?” she asked, willing her voice not to shake.
He inclined his head but said nothing else, simply gesturing for her to sit.
“Will you not pour yourself a cup?” the question seemed innocuous but she still looked for the strings attached.
“Y-yes of course.” She picked up the kettle and tilted it, watching the dark liquid pour into her cup with focused concentration.
She put down the kettle carefully and picked up the cup, taking a sip. She could feel his eyes still on her like a blanket, enveloping her in warmth. “Are you going to ask me more questions?”
“Would you like me to?”
“No.”
He laughed, low and amused. “I suppose not.”
“Why did you ask me to eat with you?”
“I enjoy your company, what else?”
“Well…it is just not done for the lord of the manor to eat with his servants.”
“Who says? And are you a servant or a prisoner?”
That is whatI’dlike to know.
“I do not know.”
He quirked an eyebrow, his mouth twisted wryly. “Yes, I see why it would be confusing for you.”
She leaned forward, eyes boring into his. “Do you? Your servants are afraid of me. Every time I consider doing something that is not in my duties, I hesitate because I do not want to arouse suspicion.”
She shook her head, leaning closer.
“The other servants watch me as if they expect me to kill them all.”
The Duke’s eyes crinkled as he huffed in amusement. “Is this the first time this has ever happened to you?”
