mind for the information he wanted.
That was what he wanted me to understand.
He wanted me to know how he felt.
What would happen once I understood? What would he expect from me?
My words broke the silence. “He taught me a few more things. We watched a soap opera, and he translated for me.” I held his gaze and waited for him to catch my lie like he did every other time.
His eyes continued to drill into me, piercing the surface and digging deep inside.
I held my stance, controlled my breathing, and hoped Gilbert hadn’t already told him the truth.
Because I’d be screwed.
A full minute of tension passed. “Your French better stop sucking soon, chérie.”
I stepped out of the office to use the restroom, but I had an alternate agenda.
I located Gilbert in the grand foyer, speaking to a housekeeper in French, giving orders that implied he was dissatisfied with her work. When they were finished, he turned around and halted when he came face-to-face with me.
There was anger in his eyes, out of his control, and then it dimmed to unbridled pain. He inhaled a deep breath, getting a hold of the reins connected to his heart. When he spoke, he had a controlled voice that hid his resentment. “How can I serve you, Melanie?”
Gilbert and I were never close and we would never be close, but his sadness hurt me. I was the reason his heart had been broken, having something that he could never have, that no amount of affection and loyalty could earn him. “Can I speak to you in private?”
He immediately glanced down the hallway to where the office was located to make sure we were alone. He gave a subtle nod toward the drawing room and closed the door behind us. It was full of stocked bookshelves and a seating area for entertaining. He pulled a book off the shelf, to cover his ass if we were caught. “Yes?”
“Please don’t tell him what you told me.”
His eyes didn’t look the least bit confused because he knew exactly what I spoke of. “He wants you to know, Melanie. I can’t hide it.”
“I understand that. Just…buy me some time?”
Now his eyes narrowed in disappointment. “You don’t feel the same way.” His resentment was palpable, that I had the love of a man he adored, and I didn’t want to treasure it the way he would.
“He told me he’s returning to the camp in two days. I just need to get Raven here first. Please, just give me two days. I can’t risk losing her, not when I’m this close.” My hands came together in front of my chest, silently pleading for him to betray his own boss and help me out.
He turned away slightly and released a long sigh, carrying the burden before he even took it. “Two days.”
I closed my eyes. “Thank you…thank you.”
“I’m only helping you for one reason.”
I looked at him again and lowered my hands.
“Because you better be prepared to say it back once I tell him.”
Twenty
Birthday Drink
Fender
I sat in my office and stared at the fire, a glass of scotch on the desk, my temple resting against my closed knuckles. My mind shifted from one topic to the next, thinking about the hour I would leave for the camp in the morning, imagining Raven’s face as she was taken from the cabin for the final time, Magnus’s reaction, the men’s reaction to my weakness. Then I thought about my other responsibilities that required my attention. And of course, Melanie, the woman I would leave behind.
I saw her face as I stared at the flames.
She’d been quiet and withdrawn for the last two days. Her sister had been on her mind consistently, which changed her behavior toward me. I hoped having Raven here wouldn’t steal all of Melanie’s focus.
She’d better have nothing but gratitude toward me.
Gilbert entered my office and didn’t draw my attention until he was in front of my desk. “Sir, is there anything I can get you before I retire for the evening?”
My hand dropped to the screen of my phone, and I tapped it with my finger.
It lit up, reminding me how late it was. “No.”
Gilbert gave a bow. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Gilbert.”
He straightened. His expression instantly fell, turning serious. At attention, he kept his gaze locked on my face.
“Melanie will not learn French watching TV. She will learn by what I say to her. Understood?”
Gilbert held my gaze for a while before he gave a nod. “Understood.”
“Her