the table beside the chaise, cold and untouched. But the dishes of tuna and salmon were now as empty as the dish of shrimp, proof that Pepper had been there.
A few black hairs remained on the chaise cushion, too.
Robin got up, expecting to be a little stiff from his unusual sleeping spot, but he felt fine. He stretched and walked to the balcony. No sign of Pepper in the garden below either.
Robin frowned. Dark Acres was an especially dangerous part of the enchanted forest. Certainly no place for a stray cat. He hoped the little creature was all right. And that he would come back.
Maybe he’d tell Mrs. Applestock to add proper cat food to the grocery list. Some cans of that fancy stuff. They could put a dish of it outside in the garden. Just in case. And he’d say something to Henry about keeping an eye out. In fact, maybe Henry already knew about the cat.
Or Fenwick. If anyone had seen Pepper before, it was Fenwick. The man spent his days caring for the grounds.
With new urgency, Robin jumped into the shower and got ready for the day. There was no trip to the mine today, so he could look for Pepper all he wanted. Or at least, as much as the confines of his curse allowed.
He threw on track pants and a T-shirt. If he was going to be out hunting for Pepper in the woods, there was no point in wearing anything fancy, although this had generally become his daily uniform. What was the point of a suit when he was no longer king and not entertaining anyone?
He ran down to the kitchen.
Lolly was polishing silver, but she got up, gave him a little bow, then went to get him coffee, like she always did. He didn’t really need it after the amazing sleep he’d had, but he’d drink it anyway. For one thing, it was delicious. For another, Lolly was going to the effort.
Mrs. Applestock came in with a sack of flour. “Good morning, Your Lordship. How was your night? Biscuits aren’t quite ready yet.”
“Outstanding. And no worries about the biscuits, I’m up earlier than usual. Thank you for the food you sent up last night, by the way. I don’t know what Elswood told you, but a little black cat showed up on my balcony. He ate every bit of the food you prepared.”
“How wonderful. Cats are such smart creatures. They don’t like just anyone, you know. They’re picky. They only like people worth their time.” She smiled. “Is he still around?”
“No, Pepper was gone this morning, but I’m hoping he comes back.”
“Pepper?” Her brows lifted.
He laughed. “I had to call him something. And he was a little spicy. Will you get some real cat food next time you’re at the store?”
“I’m going today. I’ll make sure I add it to the list. What kind?”
“I have no idea. Whatever looks good. Get a bunch. Canned, the good stuff. And some dry.”
Lolly was grinning as she set a mug of coffee and a little pitcher of cream next to him.
He fixed his coffee with cream and added some sugar. “Have you seen a little black cat around here?”
She shook her head. “No, Sire. But I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Good. Thank you. It would be nice to have a cat around here, don’t you think?”
Her grin got a little bigger. “It would be.”
He drank a good bit of the coffee, then got up, ready to head out and speak with Henry and Fenwick. “All right, I have to go. I’ll be back later to eat.”
Mrs. Applestock shook her head. “You certainly seem chipper this morning.”
“I slept well. Amazing what that can do for you.”
She nodded. “Indeed. What would you like for breakfast?”
“Eggs and bacon. Biscuits, of course. Maybe some hash browns. Sugar beans. Buttered mushrooms, too. The whole thing.”
She laughed. “I’ll get to work.”
“Oh, one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Do you know where I can find Theodora?”
Chapter Nine
The sky had still been dark when Theo had tugged on her Gallow House livery and reported to Mrs. Baton’s office.
Why on earth such an early start was required, she had no idea. None of the tasks Mrs. Baton had sent her to do yesterday after lunch with Robin had really needed doing. Theo had polished some very pretty crystal stemware that looked as if it had never been used, then she’d organized the walk-in linen closet, which contained more linens than she’d seen in one place in her life.
The linens had