He spread his arms. “Does it look like I cannot afford lessons?”
“No, it doesn’t look that way at all.” She took a deep gulp of air. “Thank you. Lessons would be incredible. Life-changing.”
“Then it’s settled. You’re no longer downstairs help.” He got up. “Come on.”
She stood. “Where are we going?”
“To move you upstairs.”
Chapter Eleven
Becoming a lapidary, a trained stonecutter, would change Theo’s life in a way nothing else could. A profession like that would not only keep a roof over their heads but could actually help pay down her father’s debts. In the year’s time that she had ahead of her, if she studied hard and practiced often, she could build on the rudimentary skills she already had and end up with enough training to apprentice with any of the gem cutters in Limbo. The apprenticeship would only pay a little more than she made working her current jobs, but once she proved herself, she’d be set.
This opportunity was beyond anything she could have hoped for. Anything she could have dreamed of.
She wasn’t even sure Robin understood everything he was offering her.
Sadly, Theo already knew none of what His Lordship wanted would be well received. Mrs. Applestock and Lolly probably wouldn’t care. Henry or Fenwick either. But Mrs. Baton and Elswood would undoubtedly explode at the impropriety of it. That seemed to be their favorite word, after all.
Oh, they might not say much to Robin’s face, but behind his back, they’d have plenty to chatter about. And then they’d make their feelings known to her in the way they treated her. She would bet on that with every single cent she had, if she were a betting person. Which she would never be. Even if she came into money.
But she held her tongue and followed him downstairs.
At the bottom of the steps, he stopped and turned to her. “Show me your current room. Please.”
“Sure. This way.” She led him through the hallways and down the last one to her door.
“Why the last one? All these rooms can’t be in use. Did you pick this room?”
“No, it was given to me.” She opened the door. “This is it.”
He looked in but stayed where he was. Didn’t make a difference. There was no more of it to be seen by walking through the door. “It’s so…small. And plain.”
She shrugged. “It’s fine.”
“It’s like a prison cell.” He frowned. “Where’s the bathroom?”
She pointed over her shoulder. “End of the hall there.”
Still frowning, he glanced at the door, then back at her room. “Who assigned this to you?”
She hesitated, hoping against hope that this wasn’t about to take the turn she suspected. “Elswood.”
Robin’s frown deepened. He looked back the way they’d come. “Elswood! Where are you? Show yourself, man.”
A moment later, he appeared at the end of the hall. He looked worried until he saw Theo. Then he grimaced and glared at her. “Whatever she’s done, my lord, I can assure you—”
“She hasn’t done anything.” Robin pointed at Theo’s space. “Do all the staff rooms look like this?”
Elswood peeked in as though he needed a refresher. “They’re all very similar.”
Robin crossed his arms. “Let me see them.”
“All of them, my lord?”
“Is that a problem?”
“No, Sire, of course not.” Elswood fumbled with the keys on his belt, finding the right one, and opened the door across the hall. The room was almost identical to Theo’s but had no window. At least she’d gotten that much. There were also some stacked boxes and a few extra chairs in the small space. Nice to know she hadn’t been given the catchall room. “As you can see, this room has no natural light, which is why we use it for storage.”
Robin was silent a moment, then walked down the hall toward the kitchen. He stopped about halfway and pointed to a door. “Who’s room is this?”
“No one’s.”
He went a few more steps toward the kitchen, this time stopping one door from the end. “And this one?”
“Lolly’s, Sire.”
“Fetch her back here.”
“As you wish.” Elswood disappeared.
Theo shook her head at Robin and kept her voice soft. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I think I need to. Other than to eat in the kitchen, I haven’t been down here since the house was under construction.” He looked unhappy. “I’ve assumed all was equal down here. I see that’s not the case.”
Elswood returned with Lolly. She had a dish towel thrown over one shoulder and a vegetable peeler in the pocket of her apron.
Robin smiled at her as she curtsied. “How do you like your room, Lolly?”
She looked slightly petrified. “It’s very good, Sire.”
“I promise, you’re not in any trouble. Would you mind letting me see your room? This isn’t any kind of inspection. I’m just curious about your accommodations.”
She nodded, only slightly less nervous. “It’s right here.” She slipped past him and opened the door.
Theo took a look. It was twice the size of her room. Maybe more. Big enough to have a sitting area with a small couch and a television. She had two windows, a bigger bed, a closet, and her own bathroom.
Theo frowned, then realized Robin was scowling now.
“Thank you, Lolly.” Robin looked at Elswood. “Let’s see your room.”
Elswood stiffened. “Mrs. Baton and I have larger spaces, Your Lordship. As is befitting our positions in the household.”
“And that’s absolutely warranted,” Robin answered. “But it’s still my household. I want to see your room.”
Theo really wanted to see it, too.
Elswood’s expression turned dour. “Right this way.”
Without another word, he led them to a door and opened it. Theo gasped before she could stop herself.
It wasn’t a room so much as an apartment because, from what she could see, the space had multiple rooms. It was also very well furnished. Gone were the tile floors and cream walls of the other staff quarters. Elswood’s rooms had thick patterned carpets over hardwood floors, deep-green walls, fancy art in gilded frames, dark wood furniture, and a chandelier. And that was just in the rooms that they could see from the door.
“Judas,” Lolly breathed.
Robin didn’t say a word for several long moments. Then, still looking into the apartment, he spoke. “Mrs. Baton’s looks the same?”
“She has decorated with, perhaps, a more feminine hand,” Elswood replied. “But yes, her quarters are similar.”
“Mrs. Applestock’s rooms aren’t anything like this,” Lolly volunteered.
Elswood’s scowl in the scullery maid’s direction only lasted a second, but Theo caught it. “Her quarters are fine.”
Robin turned, blocking the view into Elswood’s rooms. He seemed taller and broader than he had a second ago. “I expect some differences in housing based on position and superiority, but that doesn’t explain the extreme delta that exists between these rooms. Especially Theodora’s room.”
Elswood sputtered. “Your Lordship, she’s merely an indentured worker, come for a year, nothing more.”
Robin’s gaze narrowed, but his tone remained calm. “That doesn’t make her less than. And doesn’t Lolly work as hard, if not harder than some of you? What about Mrs. Applestock?” He sighed. “I’m disappointed, Elswood. I want these inequities resolved. Am I understood?”
Elswood nodded. “Yes, Sire. As soon as possible.”
“If something needs doing to make that happen, a wall taken down, a window added, carpeting, new furniture, whatever it is, make it known.”
“I will, Your Lordship. Right away.” Elswood straightened. “I’ll start with Miss Middlebright’s accommodations.”
“No need,” Robin answered. “She moving to the Lapis Room upstairs.”
Elswood’s jaw hung open. “Sire, that’s a
guest room.”
“And from now on, Theodora will be treated as a guest, as she will be serving out her indenture as my companion. Do you have a problem with that?”
Elswood’s mouth was still open, and Theo imagined he had all kinds of problems with that. His mouth snapped shut, and he shook his head. “Whatever Your Lordship wishes.”
Robin looked at Theo, his expression softening. “How long will it take you to gather your things?”
“Not long.” She went straight back to her room without waiting to be dismissed. Guests didn’t have to wait for such things, did they? She threw everything into her tattered bag, except her Gallow House livery, which she left on the bed, and marched straight back to Robin. “Ready.”
He smiled as he took her bag. “Let me show you to your new quarters.”
Together, they left and walked upstairs. She hadn’t expected him to carry her bag. It looked rattier than ever in his strong, elegant hands, but it was what it was. She waited until they were out of earshot to speak. “You know Elswood isn’t happy.”
“I know,” Robin answered. “And I don’t care. I’m greatly displeased that Mrs. Applestock and Lolly have been living in smaller quarters. Not once have they said a word. And they do a tremendous amount of work. They deserve more comforts.”
He was angry. She didn’t want to make his mood worse, so she kept her thoughts to herself.
Apparently, that wasn’t what he wanted. “You don’t agree?”
They turned down the hall, passing the library.
“I completely agree. I like both of them very much. I think it’s wonderful they’re going to get more space and more luxury.”
A hint of a smile played across his lips. “And how do you feel about getting a new room?”
“It’s very generous of you.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s generous. I think it’s as it should be.” He paused in the middle of the hall. “Look at this house. It’s enormous. Why shouldn’t you sleep in a nicer space? Why shouldn’t everyone have more room? But that’s not really what I meant. I should have asked if you’re comfortable being on the same floor that I am.”
That hadn’t occurred to her, but now she looked down the hall. She didn’t know which set of doors led to his room. She shrugged. “I like being closer to the library.”
He grinned. “Always a good thing.” He walked backward a couple of steps until he came to a set of double doors. “The Lapis Room.”
Double doors? For a guest room? Why that should surprise her in this place, she had no idea. But it was the room he wanted her to have, so she’d be happy about whatever was behind those doors.
He opened them and walked in.
She followed, doing her best not to lose her composure. The space was gorgeous. And large. Decorated in many shades of deep blue with accents of white, silver, and purple, the room was somehow both cozy and luxurious. It felt vaguely celestial.
He kept going through the sitting room and into the bedroom. He put her bag on the settee at the end of the bed and walked straight to a pair of French doors. “This is one of the best parts of this room.”
He opened them, went outside, then turned to her. “Come have a look.”
The room had a balcony. She joined him on it. Not just a tiny little span of a balcony either. It was long and wide enough to have a chaise lounge with a little table next to it. She went to the railing. Below, the garden with its enormous pavilion was spread out before her. She could just smell the sweetness of the flowers. Even a hint of the nightberries came through. “This is amazing.”
“I have a balcony too. I spend a lot of time out there.” He stood next to her at the railing. “Shadowvale can be a bit gloomy during the day, but in the evening when the clouds part, it’s magical.”
“This room…” Was going to be very hard to leave in a year. “Is just wonderful. Thank you for letting me use this space while I’m here.”
“I’m happy to do it. Happy, too, that a guest room in this house will finally be used.”
Chimes rang through the house, muted slightly on the balcony. Robin looked inside. “That must be Amelia come to see about the samples from the mine.”
“The woman who built this town?”
“Yes. Come meet her.”
Theo shrank back. “I don’t think I should. I’m not really a guest. I don’t—”
“Please. I would like you to meet her. And for her to meet you.”
She glanced down at her clothes. Jeans and a T-shirt didn’t seem appropriate.
He shook his head. “Amelia won’t care what you’re wearing, I promise.”
Maybe not, Theo thought. But she suddenly cared how she was perceived. Perhaps because she was no longer being presented as Robin’s servant, but his companion. She ought to look like that meant something to her. “Please, give me just a few minutes, and I’ll be down.”
He nodded as he headed for the door. “The main sitting room.”
“I’ll be there.” Just as soon as she changed and ran a brush through her hair and did her best to look like someone worthy of the time and consideration the exiled king was giving her.
She shouldn’t care about that. A day ago, she didn’t. So why now?
Because she cared about him?
Was that possible? She realized it was. Completely possible. And incredibly stupid.
Chapter Twelve
Robin looked forward to Amelia’s weekly visits. Besides his trips to the mines, they were his main connection to the world outside the walls of Gallow House. Especially because, unlike his trips to the mines, Amelia’s visits were much more social. Grent might be able to catch him up on the mine gossip, but Amelia knew everything that was going on in town.
She didn’t mind sitting with him while she filled him in on it either. Not that she’d been such a social butterfly herself for a long time, but now that her niece had moved to Shadowvale, Amelia’s newfound happiness was evident in not only her attitude, but her social life.
Which meant she had more to share with Robin. Because of her, he felt connected to the town. Even though he wasn’t really.
Now he had Theodora to keep him company. But he didn’t want her to feel as isolated as he did. Even if she was going to be here for only a year. There was no reason for both of them to suffer.
He strode into the main sitting room. Amelia was looking out the windows onto the garden. “So nice to see you, Amelia.”
She glanced over her shoulder with a smile. “Hello, Robin. Your garden looks wonderful. I really need a cutting from that rosebush. I’ve always admired those deep-purple flowers, but they are particularly stunning at the moment.”
“I’ll make sure Fenwick gets you one.”
“Thank you.” She turned. “How is the mine?”
“Excellent. They’re producing some outstanding new rough.” He’d left the samples in the room earlier, knowing he’d need them. He took the bag from a drawer in the armoire and brought it over to the low table between the couches. “Have a look at this new opal they’ve tapped into.”
He opened the bag and started pulling the samples out, starting with the opal. Mrs. Applestock would have a tray of goodies delivered via Elswood soon. Tea, finger sandwiches, little cookies, small cakes. All things Amelia liked. It was their ritual.
Amelia picked up the opal rough and examined it. “This looks very good. The fire is fantastic.”
“I agree.” But he had more to talk to her about today than the mines. “Someone new is staying with me.”
She looked up from the opal. “Company? I must say that’s unusual. It’s not Vesta, is it? Can’t be. You’re smiling.”
He laughed. “No, not Vesta. My guest is a woman from Limbo, though. Her father owes me a debt to be paid with a year’s worth of service, but he’s unwell, so she’s come to fulfill what we call an indenture.”
“Is that so?” Amelia smiled. “I’d love to meet her.”
“Good, because I’ve invi
ted her to join us. I want to introduce the two of you.” He hesitated. “I decided that I want her to serve her year out as my companion. You know my situation.”
“I do.” Amelia smiled kindly, her gaze sympathetic. “A companion is a wise choice.”
“More than that, I’d like to offer her the chance to train as a lapidary. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?”
“Not at all. I know what an affinity goblins have for stonework. I think it’s a smart move. Are you hoping to get her to stay beyond the year?”
He took a breath. He hadn’t willingly given space to that thought. It was too soon to even wonder about that. But he already knew how much he wanted her to stay. Foolish, really. An impetuous impulse born of his loneliness.
She was only here out of obligation. And she had a father to return to.
He shook his head as he set the last few samples out. “I don’t think that’s a possibility. Her father will need her home.”
“I see,” Amelia said. “Shame. You could do with more than just permanent staff in this house.”
And in his life. But Theodora wasn’t that person. She couldn’t be if she was leaving. And she couldn’t stay. She wouldn’t. She was too loyal of a daughter to abandon her father. “The thing is, I don’t want my limitations to limit her as well. A year is a long time to be subjected to my constraints.”
“And yet, you’ve managed for many years.”
“‘Managed’ is a kind word. I’ve survived. Mostly because I’ve had no other choice. Theodora should.”
“I won’t argue with that.” She smiled. “I must say you look better today than you have in a long while. Any chance that’s because of her?”
“I…” Was it? How could he answer that? “I don’t know. Maybe. I did sleep well last night for the first time in a long time.”
“Glad to hear that.” She narrowed her eyes. “There’s something you want from me, isn’t there?”
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