her the position. She still worked day and night at the Landcaster estate. How long before the Landcaster son or one of his friends seduced, and ruined her?
I folded the letter and tucked it into the book I was reading. The staff here waited on me like I was royalty. Yet, I didn’t miss the sly glances from the footmen. The looks of disapproval from the housemaids. Gabe painted a lovely picture if I became his mistress, but I knew better. So why, dear God, was I seriously considering his offer?
Because of the clean, soft bedding? The delicious food? The warm, safe home? No. Because he intrigued me. Because when Gabe touched me, I was willing to sell my soul if he would just ease the blasted ache that throbbed low in my belly. Because I wanted to know what it would be like to have him fully inside me. Deeply imbedded. Because life suddenly felt vibrant, exciting, since I’d come to know him. Mostly because at times, when he looked at me, I saw something more within his green eyes, something intriguing, something hungry, something desperate. Something I feared was mirrored in my own eyes.
Sarah’s head fell forward as she started to slumber, only for her to jerk awake. “Sorry, Miss.”
“Please, this is ridiculous. I need no maid. Go to bed. Everyone else is sleeping.”
She stifled a yawn and set her darning in the basket at her feet. “I’m to stay up with you, Miss, until Lord Chambers returns home.”
I crossed my arms, annoyed, and glanced at the frost-covered windows. I’d seen him leave a few hours earlier, dressed in fine clothing, and I’d wondered where he went. “I’m not a child to be watched. Or is he afraid I’ll try to escape? Are you my maid or my guard?”
She knelt to organize her basket of sewing, but not before I caught the blush on her cheeks. My guard then. With a sigh of frustration, I stood. “I’m going downstairs to get a book. Or is that not acceptable?”
She hesitated. “I don’t know, Miss.”
“It’s snowing. I’m hardly going to make my leave in my nightgown.”
“Very well.”
I scurried to the door. How dare he make Sarah stay up late at night, just to make sure I didn’t escape. How dare he trap me in the house in my nightgown while he roamed around town. How dare he offer to show me pleasure, then leave…probably to visit with his mistress.
“Would you like me to escort you?”
“God no.” I blushed, realizing how harsh I sounded. Since coming here, I hadn’t been myself. He made me anxious, uneasy, excited, and hopeful all at once. I merely wanted, no, needed to be alone. “That is…no thank you.”
Sarah sighed. “Do be quick.”
I tore open the door. “I won’t be gone long.”
But her head had already fallen forward again, her eyes closed. Eager to leave, I made my way down the dark hall, feeling as welcome as a thief out to steal the silverware. There were so many things that annoyed me. Constantly having guards, having no clothes, my unfathomable attraction to Gabe. But the fact that he was socializing while I was trapped here, angered me most of all. I wasn’t someone to be used and set aside. A toy.
Wind rattled the windows, startling me. The townhome was large. Almost too large. Shadows darkened the halls, doorways loomed wide and mysterious. There were places where anyone could hide. In the slums it was imperative to know your environment at all times. No one wanted to be caught off guard. Here, I was like a fish out of water.
I found the top of the steps. A few wall sconces were lit in the foyer, giving the area warmth. The gilt-framed paintings, the golden chandelier above practically glowed. My breath hitched. It was the first time I’d ventured from my room since arriving those days ago, and the opulence of the place stunned me. It was even more beautiful than the Landcaster estate.
“My God,” I whispered, as I gripped the railing and slowly made my way down the curved staircase. I’d been too irate and ill when I’d first arrived to have noticed much. When my feet finally reached the floor, I looked up, the dizzying sense of wonder making me sway. “It’s beautiful.”
Gabe was wealthy. Wealthy and most likely important. I drew my robe closed more tightly around me, as if the material could create a protective barrier between me and high society. Someday soon he’d