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Looking at her once more, I smile slightly as I turn to walk out of the room. Closing the door gently behind me, I hear an excited voice call to me.
“Duke!” The butler says enthusiastically, walking to the library doors to greet me.
“Butler,” I say calmly, walking in through the main hallway. I adjust the cuffs of my sleeves as I look at him. “You’re awake at an early hour,” I comment.
“Yes, sir, preparing the kitchen,” He says with a smile.
“What reports do you have for me?” I ask, pretending to be preoccupied with my sleeves.
“The oak trees have begun to drop their leaves, sir! Our new servant Miriana is doing quite fine. She has taken quite a liking to cooking, and,”
I couldn’t care less about the new servant or the oak trees. I want to know how she is. Has she said anything about me? Where does she go when she is alone? I can’t rightfully ask the questions upfront-he is already suspicious of me asking him to treat her like a master.
“The Eastern wall has been repaired beautifully. It’s almost as if it had never been,”
“The girl?” I ask sharply, my patience wearing thin.
“Oh yes,” The butler says excitedly. Why was he so happy to speak of her? I turn to face him, crossing my arms over my chest. “Well, she has learned to read! It’s quite astonishing, actually, given her upbringing.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, locking eyes with him intensely.
“Oh, nothing sir, just that she,”
“She’s smart,” I say deeply. “You’ll do good to remember that,”
The butler bows his head at me. He knows better than to insult her. “Of course, sir.”
I look around the mansion and turn back to him. “What does she do when she is not under supervision?”
“Oh, nothing sir,” The butler says with a fearful look on his face. “She reads and walks the grounds. She has eyes on her at all times, I assure you.”
I debate asking him if she has asked about me. That would be too suspicious. Best to divert the conversation before he senses I have a desire to know more of her.
“The mansion is cold,” I say with a sigh. “Winter is coming, and we must be prepared.”
The butler nods. “Of course sir, I will make the necessary arrangements.”
“Good.” I reply, before turning to make my way to my chambers. “And butler,” I say, turning around.
“Yes, sir?” He asks with a smile.
“You must make sure she is not exposed to the cold,” I say firmly. “Humans are fragile creatures, we can’t forget that.”
The butler nods once more before turning back to the kitchen. I make my way up the stairs, thinking of her reading a romance novel. I silently chuckle to myself.
“Sir?” I hear a servant girl call to me.
“Yes?” I ask, turning around in annoyance.
“Diane would like to speak with you.”
Chapter 15
15
DIANE
Irace down the hall in search of Carmichael. Each corner and door holds a slight chance that he had returned. After checking multiple rooms, a call startles me.
