Free Web NovelChapter 22: After My Own Heart
SOPHIA
From the window of our carriage, Amaranth Manor came into view. The mansion was miles away from the main road. It seemed like we had been traveling on the dirt path since forever.
Gas lights on the exterior of the huge, rectangular building didn’t do much to dispel its gloomy atmosphere.
Amaranth Manor didn’t look much like it’s namesake at all. Certainly not the cheerful dark pink of feathered stalks. The gray stone was streaked with dark black and dotted with green moss. No lights were on in the interior even though it was dusk.
"Where is everyone?" I asked as the carriage pulled up to the front porch.
"We had a change in staff recently. The new servants will be here tomorrow. Until then, we’ll have to make do."
"Oh. Why did we get new servants?"
"Too much thievery, I’m afraid. It’s rampant. I thought it best to simply start over with a new set of workers."
It seemed rather strange to get rid of everyone instead of just routing out the bad apples. And wasn’t starting over with all new faces the opposite of what the doctor recommended? How could I remember life here if all the familiar people were gone?
Ah. But who was I to question my husband’s decision? I couldn’t even remember this house, much less the names of any servants who had lived here before. Old or new, I feared it wouldn’t make a difference.
"Jace!"
A woman rushed out the front door and down the marble steps. She was dressed in sleepwear, her robe flapping open as she stopped on the last step and waved.
"Who is that?" freeωebnovēl.c૦m
"Your lady’s companion."
"My ... what?"
"She keeps you company, Sophia. It’s lonely out here, so we hired Penelope Shire to be your companion. You two are very close."
I studied the woman’s eager face, her dark hair swinging over her shoulders. The nightgown she wore was very revealing. She hadn’t even bothered to tie her robe, so my husband had a very good view of her cleavage.
"Why didn’t you fire her, too?"
"You liked her very much. I wanted you to have at least one familiar face."
"Why did she call your name instead of mine?" I shut the curtain and stared at my husband. "Are you sure I like her?"
"You really do. You two just need to get to know each other again. You’ll see."
Jace’s smile was gentle, but his eyes were not. I felt a chill go through me.
"Come on," he said. He exited the carriage and then pulled down the step, reaching out his hand to take mine.
With his help, I descended the staircase. I wore a simple blue dress, one Jace had purchased used from a tailor in the village. It was too big for me, and didn’t fit well. He also bought me a pair of basic shoes, but they didn’t fit well, either. My heels were already rubbed raw.
Penelope Shire waited for us on the stairs. I noticed she was barefoot. She smiled winsomely at Jace, reaching out presumably to take his arm.
He batted her hand away. "Miss Shire, please help my wife to our room. She’ll no doubt want a bath and clean clothes."
Penelope’s gaze flicked to me. I could tell she wasn’t pleased by Jace’s instructions. Her lips pulled into a pout. "Why should I?"
I clutched Jace’s arm, alarmed by the malice in her tone. He patted my hand. "She hasn’t slept well because she was worried for you. Forgive her bad attitude."
I didn’t want to forgive her. I had a difficult time believing Penelope Shire had been my companion, especially since she hadn’t taken her eyes off my husband. Uneasy, I let go of Jace and nervously clasped my hands together.
"Can you show me to our room?" I asked him.
He glanced at me, then saw my expression, and took a longer look. He patted my shoulder. "Of course," he said. "Come. I’ll show you to our room. Penelope, we won’t need you for the rest of the evening. Sleep well."
Penelope stared at him, her expression stunned. I got the impression she wasn’t used to Jace’s dismissal. She turned her glare on to me, but I looked away. Whatever was happening here, I wanted no part of it.
Jace took my hand and led the way up the stairs.
On the second flight, I stopped and held my waist. "How much further?" I asked. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Are you tired?" he nodded. "This staircase and then another one. We live on the top floor."
"Oh."
He tugged my hand and we set off again. By the time we got into the room, I was begging for breath. My legs ached fiercely.
"I’ll show you to the bathroom." He led me to a door and opened it.
This was a bathroom? It seemed more like a paradise. It was so big, filled with a huge circular metal tub. Nearby was a table filled with bathing accessories. A bowl full of rose petals. Different types of soap. Bubble bath. Water additives. A pile of fluffy towels and sponges occupied a different table.
"You like baths," he said. "Here. I’ll show you how to run the water. We have a heating element built-in that will fill the tub with hot water. Look."
After he showed me how to operate the handles and we started the water running, he took me through the large bedroom into a dressing area. It held a makeup table and stool along with a chaise and seemingly unending rows of clothing.
Jace frowned. "I’m not sure where your pajamas are located. Daisy helped you with all of that."
"Daisy?" A memory flickered. A dimpled smile. A sunshine energy. An ache zapped my temples and I paused, rubbing the sides of my head. "Where is she?"
"You don’t need her," said Jace. "I’ll get you a better personal maid."
I didn’t quite believe him. If he was responsible for procuring Penelope Shire as my lady’s companion, I suspected he didn’t understand my preferences at all.
"My head aches" I said.
