that Leah was leaving.
Leah didn’t care. She slammed the bedroom door shut behind her.
Chapter Twelve
After that, Matilda seemed to realize she had the upper hand.
Leah hid in her small bedroom for the majority of the day. She skipped dinner that night.
She didn’t want to face Lady Matilda’s gloating face, didn’t want to see Royce’s accusing eyes.
Someone knocked at her door sometime during the evening, but she ignored it, huddling under the covers and feeling miserable.
It was obvious – Royce wasn’t in love with her. She couldn’t make him fall in love with her if he mistrusted her. Worst of all, she couldn’t defend her honor, so he suspected her guilt by way of her silence. He was probably toasting his engagement to Lady Matilda even now.
She was doomed.
Hunger made her get dressed the next morning, though she felt dull and exhausted despite the many hours of sleep. Her legs throbbed – she’d skipped her nightly journey to the beach, terrified at getting caught – and she had the twinges of pain with every step as a result.
Ginny hadn’t made her usual morning appearance – either Royce had scared her off or Matilda had, so Leah laced up her dress, finger-combed her hair, and headed for the great hall.
It was a mistake. The hall was nearly empty, with the room emptying out as the food trenchers were carried away by servants. Most of Royce’s soldiers had gotten up and left, and all that remained were a few lone stragglers, some servants, and Lady Matilda and her crew at the head table.
Leah flinched at the sight of them. Just what she needed.
A catlike smile spread across Lady Matilda’s features when she noticed Leah. The woman was dressed immaculately, as usual, with an elegant two-pointed hat perched atop her head, covered in gold veils. They made her blue eyes stand out, even when they were narrowed in hate.
The woman gave Leah a quick up and down look, as if assessing her competition. The triumphant smile that spread across her face told that she found Leah clearly lacking.
Leah’s appetite died anew at the sight of her, and she turned to leave.
“Oh, Leah, do come here. I’ve something I wish to discuss with you.” Lady Matilda’s overly sweet voice rang across the hall. “It concerns your status in this household.” That was the last thing Leah wanted to discuss. She hesitated, torn between confronting Matilda and turning tail and bolting out of the room. The smirk on Matilda’s face spoke volumes.
Had Royce confirmed her as his fiancée and she wished to brag over it? Leah’s heart sank at the thought.
Before she could decide, a hand slid under her elbow. “Leah,” said Father Andrew, at her side. “Do you have time to have that discussion we mentioned?” Grateful for the interruption, she let him guide his hand to the loop of her arm and turned with him, nodding. Saved by the kindness of the priest. Leah smiled at him, relieved.
“I do apologize, Lady Matilda, but my discussion with Leah cannot wait.” He spoke soothingly to the woman. “I have matters of grave importance that we must discuss.”
“See that you work harder at saving her soul, father,” Matilda replied tartly as she nibbled on a piece of pastry. “Whoring is not a becoming trade.”
“Of course, my lady.” Father Andrew took Leah’s arm and gently steered her away, out of the main hall.
They met Royce on the way out, and Leah flinched again. It was really turning out to not be her day. She averted her gaze and would not look at him.
All he said was, “Greetings, Father. I trust you are well.”
“Indeed,” came the mild reply. “If you will excuse me, my lord, Leah and I have business to attend to.”
“I see.”
Leah watched Royce’s feet step aside, and Father Andrew began to guide her forward again. “It will be all right,” the priest said, patting her hand. “Trust me in this.” At least someone had faith in things.
#
Royce scowled as he entered the great hall.
Leah didn’t care. She slammed the bedroom door shut behind her.
Chapter Twelve
After that, Matilda seemed to realize she had the upper hand.
Leah hid in her small bedroom for the majority of the day. She skipped dinner that night.
She didn’t want to face Lady Matilda’s gloating face, didn’t want to see Royce’s accusing eyes.
Someone knocked at her door sometime during the evening, but she ignored it, huddling under the covers and feeling miserable.
It was obvious – Royce wasn’t in love with her. She couldn’t make him fall in love with her if he mistrusted her. Worst of all, she couldn’t defend her honor, so he suspected her guilt by way of her silence. He was probably toasting his engagement to Lady Matilda even now.
She was doomed.
Hunger made her get dressed the next morning, though she felt dull and exhausted despite the many hours of sleep. Her legs throbbed – she’d skipped her nightly journey to the beach, terrified at getting caught – and she had the twinges of pain with every step as a result.
Ginny hadn’t made her usual morning appearance – either Royce had scared her off or Matilda had, so Leah laced up her dress, finger-combed her hair, and headed for the great hall.
It was a mistake. The hall was nearly empty, with the room emptying out as the food trenchers were carried away by servants. Most of Royce’s soldiers had gotten up and left, and all that remained were a few lone stragglers, some servants, and Lady Matilda and her crew at the head table.
Leah flinched at the sight of them. Just what she needed.
A catlike smile spread across Lady Matilda’s features when she noticed Leah. The woman was dressed immaculately, as usual, with an elegant two-pointed hat perched atop her head, covered in gold veils. They made her blue eyes stand out, even when they were narrowed in hate.
The woman gave Leah a quick up and down look, as if assessing her competition. The triumphant smile that spread across her face told that she found Leah clearly lacking.
Leah’s appetite died anew at the sight of her, and she turned to leave.
“Oh, Leah, do come here. I’ve something I wish to discuss with you.” Lady Matilda’s overly sweet voice rang across the hall. “It concerns your status in this household.” That was the last thing Leah wanted to discuss. She hesitated, torn between confronting Matilda and turning tail and bolting out of the room. The smirk on Matilda’s face spoke volumes.
Had Royce confirmed her as his fiancée and she wished to brag over it? Leah’s heart sank at the thought.
Before she could decide, a hand slid under her elbow. “Leah,” said Father Andrew, at her side. “Do you have time to have that discussion we mentioned?” Grateful for the interruption, she let him guide his hand to the loop of her arm and turned with him, nodding. Saved by the kindness of the priest. Leah smiled at him, relieved.
“I do apologize, Lady Matilda, but my discussion with Leah cannot wait.” He spoke soothingly to the woman. “I have matters of grave importance that we must discuss.”
“See that you work harder at saving her soul, father,” Matilda replied tartly as she nibbled on a piece of pastry. “Whoring is not a becoming trade.”
“Of course, my lady.” Father Andrew took Leah’s arm and gently steered her away, out of the main hall.
They met Royce on the way out, and Leah flinched again. It was really turning out to not be her day. She averted her gaze and would not look at him.
All he said was, “Greetings, Father. I trust you are well.”
“Indeed,” came the mild reply. “If you will excuse me, my lord, Leah and I have business to attend to.”
“I see.”
Leah watched Royce’s feet step aside, and Father Andrew began to guide her forward again. “It will be all right,” the priest said, patting her hand. “Trust me in this.” At least someone had faith in things.
#
Royce scowled as he entered the great hall.
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