“Like I said, we’ll figure something out.” He wasn’t about to let her fret over something like clothing. Not when he had more money than he needed and a deep desire to ease her worries. She shouldn’t be spending her money anyway, not when she was working as his companion. That felt like a job that ought to come with some kind of stipend. Especially for clothing.
“All right,” she said. “This is farther into the forest than I thought we’d manage.”
“What?” He immediately paid attention to where they were. They’d left the pavilion and the grounds of the house behind them a while ago and were now deep into the enchanted forest. Trees surrounded them to the point that he almost couldn’t see the house. He stopped dead. “This shouldn’t be possible.”
“It shouldn’t?”
He turned to look back at the house. “We’re past where I can usually—how are we so far? Why wasn’t I stopped? This is…” He shook his head. “I didn’t even feel anything.”
“How far should you have been able to go?”
“A few feet beyond the pavilion. Not more than that.” He glanced at her. “The only thing that’s different is you.”
“But I haven’t done anything. I don’t have any more magic than the average goblin.”
He suspected that wasn’t exactly true, but right now, he didn’t care. The fact that he’d gone beyond the confines of his prison for the first time in almost twenty years overshadowed all else.
He let go of her hand and tried moving a few feet in every direction. Nothing stopped him. He held his hand out to her again. “Come on. There’s something I want to try.”
Minutes later, he was behind the wheel of the Packard with Theodora in the passenger seat. He hadn’t driven the car in ages, but it wasn’t something he could ever forget how to do. He loved this car. He’d dreamed of driving it again someday. Really driving it. Not puttering to the end of the property and back.
Henry nodded at them. “Have fun, Your Lordship.”
“Thank you,” Robin said. “Oh, and no more of that lordship business. I’m not your king. I’m not anyone’s king.”
“As you wish, your—sir.”
Robin laughed, gave the man a big smile, and stepped lightly on the gas. The Packard rolled forward, and Robin hoped against all odds that what had happened in the forest was not a freak thing.
He made it out of the courtyard and down the drive. As he approached the end, he reached for Theodora’s hand again. “Just in case we have to be touching for it to work.”
She smiled and took his hand. “You already proved that wasn’t the case.”
“Humor me.”
The car rolled past the property lines and out onto the main road. A shot of joy went through him that rivaled only the sensation of kissing the woman beside him. “It worked,” he breathed.
“Um, ow.”
He glanced over. Theodora was grimacing. “What’s wrong?”
She lifted their joined hands. “You’re squeezing kind of hard.”
“Sorry!” He let go, then braced himself to be thrown back across the road and back into his prison. It didn’t happen, but he still found it hard to believe he’d broken free of his restraints. He pulled the car over onto the side of the road and parked. “Is your hand all right?”
She nodded, smiling. “I’m pretty sure you didn’t break any bones.”
Her teasing tone amused him. “Good to know. And good to know for sure that we don’t have to be touching for this to work. Are you up for a bit of a drive?”
“I have nowhere else to be.” She got a little smirk on her face. “And nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“Then let’s see just how far I can go.” He pulled back onto the road and headed for town.
The breeze blowing past was amazing. Seeing something besides the limits of his property was equally good. But having Theodora beside him, magical, beautiful, moody Theodora, felt like a gift.
He didn’t know where he was going exactly, he just knew he wanted to drive until there was no more road left to travel. Wherever that took him. Maybe all the way to the gate.
As they went, he realized he didn’t know much about the town he called home. He’d never been able to explore it. Sure, he’d seen a little in the very beginning, while they were building the house, but most of his time then had been spent at the house supervising things.
And he knew a little from Amelia, but hearing someone talk about a place was no substitute for visiting.
Now he had not only a chance to see it for himself but company to visit with. He gave Theodora a quick look. “I may never want to go back.”
Her eyes were narrowed in his direction. “Is this your way of getting out of the dinner party?”
He laughed. “No, but now that you mention it, I guess I should send the invites before I talk to Mrs. Applestock. If people can’t come, there’s no reason to get her all worked up.”
“Robin, when was the last time you had a dinner party?”
He had a feeling he knew where she was headed. “Never.”
Theodora seemed to be barely suppressing a grin. “People will come. I promise you, this isn’t something they’re going to miss.”
“I suppose you’re right. Plus, I can’t see Amelia being unable to attend when she was all for it.”
The car suddenly stalled and started to slow. He pulled off to the side before it came to a complete stop. He didn’t know anything about cars, but he knew a lot about his curse. One almost slipped from his lips.
“What happened?” Theodora asked.
“I have an idea.” He exited the vehicle, then walked forward with his arms out. He’d barely gone two feet when his hands touched the invisible wall he knew so well. “My barriers aren’t gone. Just moved. For some reason.”
The realization hit him like a crushing blow. He sat on the hood of the car, closed his eyes, and pressed his hands over his face.
He heard Theodora get out, then felt her hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
He nodded but said nothing. His mood had gone from jubilant to vile in a split second, and he didn’t want that to spill over onto her. This wasn’t her fault.
“I know you’re upset. I am, too. It’s okay to be upset. This stinks.” She hesitated. “Worse than an eel gone belly up in the Fangmore moat.”
He snorted, despite his mood. Then he sighed and lifted his head. “I really thought the restrictions were gone.”
She nodded. “I did, too. But maybe…this is just the beginning.”
“The beginning of what?”
“I mean, maybe the barriers are degrading. Maybe tomorrow you’ll be able to go a little farther. And farther still the day after that.”
He gave her a long look. “You’re awfully optimistic for someone with the nickname Moody.”
She made a face at him. “I blame you.”
He laughed, but it was short-lived and ended in a sigh. “I am very disappointed. Gutted, actually.”
She leaned against the hood, slightly closer to him than she was before. “We could spend the rest of the day reading in the library. Or whatever you think would make you happy.”
“Reading would be nice.” He straightened. “I guess we should go back anyway. I need to tell Mrs. Applestock about the dinner party.”
She smiled. “I’m really glad you’re going through with that. You know, when you call Amelia to invite her, you might ask her what she thinks is going on with the barriers. You said she’s a powerful witch. She must be to have created this town. She might have a way to test the magic. See if it’s weakening.”
“Not a bad idea.” He smiled. And meant it. “Thanks, Moody.”
She nodded. “Anytime, Your Lordship.”
He shook his head in amusement. “We’re probably going to have to push the car back a bit to get it to start again.”
“No problem.” She put her hands on the hood.
He did the same, and together they moved the car a few yards. “That sho
uld do it. Let’s see if it’ll start now.”
They got back into the car. He turned the key. The engine sparked to life. He did a quick three-point turn and got them headed for home.
She was good for him, no question about it. If he’d been out for this drive on his own and run into the wall…he knew how dark his mood could get. And how fast.
But now he was actually looking forward to testing the barriers again tomorrow, instead of losing himself in revenge fantasies against Vesta.
Not that he still wouldn’t love for her to tumble into the moat and get devoured by the eels, or have some other fortuitous accident befall her, but with Theodora around, he cared a lot less about what happened to Vesta.
All because his present was much more interesting.
Which made him think about a brand-new problem. What was he going to do when Theodora’s year was up?
Chapter Sixteen
Theo felt for Robin so much that she ached inside. She hid it, though, for his sake, because he didn’t need a pity party from her. He needed a distraction. It made her happy that when they returned the car to Henry, Robin had said they’d be back to take it out again tomorrow.
That seemed promising to her.
They went inside together and straight to the kitchen. Mrs. Applestock was up on a stepladder, wiping down the upper cabinets.
She smiled at them when they entered. “Good afternoon, Your Lordship. Theodora.”
She climbed down and stuck the rag she’d been using into her apron pocket. “Hungry?”
Robin helped himself to one of the lemon muffins cooling on a rack. He peeled off the paper cup. “No, but I do have something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“Oh?” She walked around to the same side of the island that he was on. “What is it, Your Lordship?”
He swallowed the bite he’d just taken. “I’d like to address everyone in the staff room, please.”
“Right away, Sire. I was just getting ready to call everyone into the gathering room for lunch.”
“Perfect.”
She went over and pushed the first button on a wall panel. Soft tones followed. It was the first time Theo had heard the intercom system, although Mrs. Baton had mentioned it.
“Thank you, Mrs. Applestock,” Robin said. He tipped his head at Theo. “You should have one of these muffins. They’re really good.”
She took one. “Is this our lunch?”
“Oh my, no,” Mrs. Applestock said. “I made sandwiches. I was just going to put them out for the staff.”
Robin finished his muffin. “Sounds good. I could eat something more substantial.”
Mrs. Applestock frowned. “But you don’t want the same lunch I made for the staff.”
“Sure I do. Give me the platter, and I’ll carry it to the gathering room.”
She did as he asked, getting an enormous platter of sandwiches from one of the refrigerators. He took it and off he went.
Theo followed, with Mrs. Applestock behind her. He took the chair at the head of the table, which was already laid out with potato chips, a tray of cold vegetables, and pitchers of water and iced tea. Theo sat beside him. Mrs. Applestock sat on the other side, looking a little unsure.
He and Theo filled their plates.
Before long, Lolly, Mrs. Baton, and Elswood came in. Right behind them were Henry and Fenwick.
Robin gestured toward the remaining chairs. “Please, fill your plates, then have a seat.”
Theo watched their strained expressions. It was her guess he hadn’t addressed all of them like this in a long time. If ever. And certainly not while joining them for a meal.
Once they were all seated, he gave them an easy smile. Good start, she thought. Lolly seemed to find it reassuring, although Baton and Elswood didn’t unclench in the slightest. Henry and Fenwick were busy eating.
Robin put his hands on the table. “Thank you for letting me interrupt your lunch. I have two things I’d like to discuss with you all. First, however, I want to thank you all for your service here. It is very much appreciated.”
“Oh Judas,” Lolly breathed out. “Are we getting the ax?”
Fenwick froze, a chip inches from his mouth.
“Lolly,” Mrs. Baton hissed.
“No,” Robin said. “I assure you that is not what’s happening. I just wanted you to know I am grateful for your hard work.”
Lolly slanted her eyes at Mrs. Baton, but aimed her words at Robin. “Thank you, Your Lordship.”
Fenwick went back to eating.
“That’s actually the first thing I want to speak to you about. The titles. It’s time for them to go. I haven’t been king in many years, and calling me sire and lordship and grace just seem foolish now.”
Elswood’s mouth fell open. Mrs. Baton tutted. Henry’s mouth ticked up in a grin as he chewed. Mrs. Applestock smiled. “As you wish, sir. Is that all right? Sir?”
“Sir is fine. Or Mr. Gallow. Or even Robin.”
“Sir it is,” Fenwick said.
“Well, I never!” Mrs. Baton looked like she was about to become apoplectic. “That’s highly improper.”
Robin’s smile seemed to thin. “It would be, if I was king. But I’m not. I’m not even nobility. I was common-born. And I’m done holding on to a past I will never regain.”
Mrs. Applestock lifted one shoulder. “I don’t think I’d feel comfortable calling you by your given name. Sir’ll do for me, Your Lordsh—that is, sir, I mean.”
“Excellent.” He looked at Elswood. “Did you want to say something?”
Elswood shook his head. “It’s your house. Your rules, Sire.” He sighed. “But it’s going to take a bit of getting used to.”
“I can understand that.” Robin’s smile returned to full strength. “The next order of business is, tomorrow night I am having a dinner party.”
Mrs. Applestock squealed with the kind of joy normally reserved for life-changing surprises. But then, Theo wondered if a dinner party wasn’t exactly that for someone like her. “Oh, that is marvelous news. Marvelous. How many?”
“Six.”
She clapped her hands. “Splendid. Formal? How many courses?”
His mouth bunched to one side. “Not too formal.” He looked at Theo. “What do you think about the number of courses?”
She knew immediately that him consulting with her on this party was going to ruffle a few feathers. Namely Baton’s and Elswood’s. She smiled. “I think Mrs. Applestock can answer that better than I can.”
“You’re probably right.” He turned to the older woman. “What do you think?”
She tapped her chin. “If you want to keep it simple, how about soup, main course, dessert. I can do a few canapes, too. Although I feel those can ruin a person’s appetite sometimes.”
“Three courses sounds perfect.” He gestured at Elswood. “You’ll coordinate the wine with Mrs. Applestock’s menu?”
Elswood nodded. “I will.”
“Henry, will you valet the cars?”
“Absolutely.”
Robin went on. “Mrs. Baton, I’m sure the dining room is in perfect shape already, since it’s never been used, but I’ll leave the table setting up to you.”
She nodded. “Thank you, sir.” Then she smiled, something that caught Theo by surprise. “It will be lovely to see the good china and crystal put to proper use. What kind of flowers would you like?”
He shrugged. “Whatever’s blooming in the garden. Fenwick, can you help with that?”
“Happy to, sir.”
“Thank you,” Robin said. “Which reminds me, please send a bouquet of the purple roses to Amelia Marchand with my regards.” He planted his hands on the table. “Any questions before I let you finish your lunch?”
Elswood raised a finger. “May I ask, sir, what brought all this on?”
Robin glanced at Theo, his smile wide and bright. “I just realized it’s time for a change.” He stood, making all of them get to their feet, and picked up his plate. “I
f anyone needs me, Theodora and I will be in the library. Oh, and, Elswood, I realize this might make more work for all of you, especially with Theodora’s terms of service changing, so please, if you need to, hire some extra help. Wherever it’s needed.”
Elswood gave him a little bow. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. That is all.” Plate in one hand and a drink in the other, he gave Theo a sweet look. “Shall we?”
She wasn’t totally comfortable with such familiarity in front of the rest of the staff, but it was nice to see him so happy. “Are you going to make your calls to invite people before we go to the library?”
He nodded. “I should, yes. Let’s go to my quarters. I’ll use the phone there. And we can finish our lunch on the balcony.”
“All right.” His quarters? As in his bedroom. Where he slept. The idea sent the strangest sensation through her, like she was about to enter some secret, forbidden place. In a way, that was true. His private rooms were just that—private.
But it was more than that. She was about to get a glimpse of who he was when he was alone. A person’s private space spoke volumes about them.
They went up the steps and past the library to a set of double doors at the end of the hall. He balanced his plate on top of his glass so he could open one. He held it for her to enter ahead of him. She went in. The foyer felt very much like him. Dark and serene, all deep blues and plums with hints of gold. Very royal and very masculine.
Immediately across from the entrance was the Gallow crest, lit by a gentle spotlight. On either side of the crest were sets of double doors. One set was already open.
He pointed through those doors. “The phone is in the living room right through here.”
“Don’t you want some privacy?”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind. But I’ll show you the balcony. You might as well eat while you wait on me. I’m sure I won’t be long.”
“All right.” She walked with him into the living room, which wasn’t much more than a massive sofa, a large ottoman, and an enormous television. “Great setup for movies.”
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