the time to make good on the debt was running out.
His gaze lifted again, but he seemed to be looking beyond her and not at her. “You chose an unusual time to arrive.”
Did he mean the early hour? “I came as quickly as my feet were able.”
“I meant that there are only a few days left to begin the year owed on this note. Any later, and the note could have been called due.”
“I’m sure you can understand my reluctance.” Not to mention her father had only recently told her about the indenture. And then only because she’d caught him packing and forced it out of him. As if he could have done this.
Elswood backed away from the door. “You might as well come in and get to work, then.”
“Thank you.” She exhaled softly, relieved that her year in service, for all that she was dreading it, had begun. She stepped inside.
“Door, close.” The door did as Elswood commanded. Then he looked at her. “Follow me.”
Interesting that standard goblin magic worked in this house. But she didn’t have long to ponder it. Or much of anything, really. He walked fast, barely giving her a chance to gape at the home’s interior. The exiled king had spared no expense in decorating. Rock crystal chandeliers, velvet drapes and brocade upholstery in vibrant jewel tones, vast displays of antique goblin weaponry, battle-scarred helmets, even a full suit of antique battle leathers on display by the entrance to some grand hall. Several large, open geodes displayed their gem interiors under spotlights that caused them to glitter.
The home looked exactly as she’d imagined an exiled king’s home might look.
It also looked very unlived in. But she didn’t guess His Lordship had much in the way of company after being cast out of his kingdom. There were consequences for the sins he’d committed.
Elswood led her through a simple swinging door and down a set of steps. The décor changed as they passed through. It became much simpler. More utilitarian.
She was in the servants’ part of the house now. The part she’d become the most familiar with, she supposed.
“I’ll take you to your room first, then introduce you to Mrs. Baton. She’s the housekeeper. She can introduce you to the rest of the staff. I don’t have time for such things, as I’m His Lordship’s butler and very busy.”
“I’m sure,” Theo said. She quickly added, “Thank you for your time.”
He glanced back at her like he wasn’t sure whether that had been a sarcastic remark.
It almost had been, but she’d modified her tone at the last moment. She smiled all the same to reassure him. As soon as he looked away, she stopped smiling. Curbing her natural inclination to bite back was going to be a chore.
They went farther into the bowels of the house. All the windows were narrow transoms near the ceiling because this floor was technically underground. A sort of daylight basement. They passed an enormous kitchen with two women in it, another workroom that contained a long table, a couple of closed doors, a room that might have been an office, then they turned down a hall.
He took her to the room at the very end.
She doubted that with all these sleeping quarters, this was the only one available, but whatever. The location was perfectly acceptable to her. She didn’t want or need to be near anyone. In fact, this was better. The farther she was from other people, the less likely they’d annoy her. And she them.
Going by doors, there were enough rooms for a staff of twenty. She’d seen two women in the kitchen, one much younger and clearly a helper. So a cook, a scullery maid, a housekeeper, Elswood, and who else? Maybe a footman? Perhaps a gardener? And her?
It didn’t seem this house employed many more than that.
She hoped that meant there wasn’t all that much work to be done instead of there being an overwhelming amount she’d have to handle on her own. Her shoulders were strong, but there was a limit to what anyone could do in a day. Taking on more than her fair share would definitely make her grouchy.
Grouchier.
He unlocked the door with a key on a chain attached to his waistcoat, then detached the key and handed it to her. “Get settled, then come to the kitchen. Five minutes. No more.”
She took the key. “Yes, Mr.…” She couldn’t very well call him Elswood. But he hadn’t introduced himself either, and she didn’t want him