by Lola Gabriel
“Yes, mademoiselle,” Alex replied, and although her voice wasn’t all that convincing, Nora could not tell whether she was being sincere.
I have been out of touch with people too long, she thought. Do I really not know how to tell when someone is lying to me?
She turned to eye the blonde maid over her shoulder.
“You do not find it too isolated here?” Nora asked.
Alex’s mouth parted slightly, as if she were searching for the right words to answer her question.
“It is much farther away from Lucerne than my previous employer,” Alex agreed. “But Collette has a car arranged to take us to the city on our off days.”
Nora nodded. “As it should be. You will find that Monsieur Charpentier and I can be quite flexible. We only expect that you show us loyalty, and we will do the same.”
“Yes, Mademoiselle Nora.”
“You may call me Nora,” Nora explained, stifling a sigh at the girl’s words. She winced slightly as Alex tugged slightly too hard against her head.
“Oui, mademoiselle,” Alex replied, and Nora tried not to roll her dark eyes skyward.
It was a losing battle when Jerome ran the show. The staff would never call her by her first name. It ‘bred familiarity,’ according to the all-knowing Jerome.
“And we all know that familiarity breeds contempt,” he had added.
“Yet you continue to stay with me,” Nora had reminded him, earning a chuckle from him.
“We are bound together,” he had told her, “whether or not we like it.”
Something about his words had filled Nora with sadness. What kind of life was this for either of them? Why should they hide themselves from the rest of the world?
“Have I said something wrong, Mademoiselle Nora?” Alex questioned as she noticed the sudden look on her face. She had finished brushing Nora’s head, so Nora shook her head in response.
“No, Alex,” she replied. “I am going to shower. Please tell Collette that I will have toast and grapefruit with coffee afterwards.”
“Yes, mademoiselle. Right away,” Alex breathed. She seemed immensely relieved to be dismissed, and she hurried toward the doorway as if she was worried Nora would change her mind.
Nora watched her leave, her heart sinking slightly. She couldn’t even pay the young girl to sit there with her, though she didn’t know why she was surprised. It didn’t matter how much she and Jerome tried to keep their secrets under wraps—someone would always learn the truth.
As if we are freaks who do not deserve to live in society, Nora thought angrily. That is why Jerome moved us out this way. To remove us from public scrutiny.
Despite the fact that this was not a new understanding—despite the fact that she already knew this—it still filled her with longing.
Times were changing. There was no reason for them to hide who they were from everyone else.
Of course, Nora was not so naïve. She knew that no matter how much the world had progressed, there were certain aspects that would always remain the same.
Stop your wallowing, she chided herself crossly. Have a shower and have something to eat. Then you can return to the studio and do some work.
With new resolve, Nora rose from the vanity and wandered back through the dressing room and into the bathroom. Looking around at the steam shower and clawfoot bathtub, she reminded herself that she had everything she could ever want. She sighed, leaning forward to run the water, annoyed at her own dark mood.
You have an artist’s temperament, she thought wryly. If you are going to feel sorry for yourself, at least put it into your artwork.
But it was easier said than done.
Nora dipped herself into the rose-scented water and allowed the warmth to sweep over her body. As much as she had hoped it would be, this was no instants solution to her mood. How could there be when she had never gotten what she wanted out of life?
She groaned aloud.
“What is wrong with me today?” she growled to herself, and she wondered if maybe she was getting cabin fever.
Nora tried to remember the last time she had left the sprawling cottage for any reason. It had been months, she was sure, and the realization made her sit up in the tub, her eyes widening in disbelief.
I have completely lost touch with reality, she thought, rising from the bath even though she had not bothered to soap or wash her hair.
“Alex!” she yelled. “Collette!”
A moment later, both women appeared in the doorframe of the bathroom, their faces etched in worry.
“Yes, mademoiselle?” they chorused. “Are you all right?”
Nora nodded.
“Have Marc warm up the car,” she said. “We’re going to Lucerne.”
Collette stared at her as if she had sprouted another head.
“Mademoiselle?” she choked. “You are going to town alone?”
Nora chuckled. “No, we’re all going to town. Get dressed.”
Collette and Alex exchanged a long look.
“Is something wrong?” Collette asked again. “Should I call for Monsieur Charpentier? Shall I have Marc go and get you something you need?”
Nora snorted as Alex quickly handed her a towel, casting her eyes aside.
“Not everything needs to go through Jerome,” she sighed. “This is my house, too. If I wish to visit town, I do not see the need for it to be a production.”
“Bien sûr,” Collette replied quickly, her face blushing crimson. “I only meant—”
“I know what you meant,” Nora interjected. She couldn’t blame Collette; after all, her job included reporting back to Jerome and keeping him updated. “And Jerome doesn’t have a say in a girls’ afternoon.”
Once again, Collette and Alex looked at each other. “Girls’ afternoon?”
“Yes,” Nora told them. “Get your things. We’re going for lunch and shopping.”
Their mouths fell open in unison, but to Nora’s relief, they did not argue any further. Instead, they turned to leave the bathroom, almost tripping over one another.
Nora wrapped the thick towel around her svelte frame and gazed at herself in the steamy mirror.
Lunch, shopping, and gossiping should cure my mood, she thought, wiping the haze from the glass. I will find something sexy to wear for Jerome when he finally comes home. That will surely cure my melancholy.
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Thank You
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Lola Gabriel
About the Author
Lola Gabriel loves reading and writing paranormal romances. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she has fond memories of retreatin
g to the woods for long hikes. The towering evergreens, natural waterfalls, and soothing rain often set the scenery for her characters’ romantic encounters.
Find out more about Lola Gabriel at SecretWoodsBooks.com