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