from when he got dressed, my suitcases moved to a place where I could easily find them, as if he’d intended for me to know what to do without being told.
After using the bathroom, I’d climbed back into bed, my body sore from what we’d done the night before, my thoughts racing as to what it could all mean.
He’d carried me up here, I remembered that. But I was so tired, I must have fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I breathed deep as I buried my nose into the sheets, the rich, earthy scent of his body still present despite my being alone in the room.
Time passed, minutes becoming an hour with no knock on the door and no instructions as to what I should do. Would I be a maid today? Or would I be locked away?
I had no clue, and after enough time passed, I crawled from bed to search for a uniform or anything that would guide me to the answer. The only thing I found were my suitcases.
Starving by that point, I dressed in my normal clothes and left the room, taking care to peek out the door before fully exiting just in case a guard stood by to force me back in, or worse, Franklin was around to snap at me.
Unsure what was going on with my uncle, I crept out to find the common area of the family suites was empty, the halls quiet as I made my way downstairs.
I reached the staff dining hall to find that everybody had already moved along to whatever task they’d been assigned that day. But there was still food in the breakfast bar, so I made myself a plate and was halfway finished eating when a voice caused me to jump in place.
“Is there a reason you’re eating in here this morning?”
Twisting around, I saw Gretchen walking toward me, the click of her shoes finally grabbing my attention.
I must have been tired to miss that sound. It was so distinctively her that I would always associate it with a woman who ran a tight ship while also building my spirit during moments when all I saw was darkness.
“Good morning,” I answered after swallowing a bite of toast.
“I assumed I should be in here because nobody came to tell me what I should be doing this morning.”
Giving her a pointed look as she rounded the table to sit down opposite me, I dropped my fork to my plate and sat back.
Gretchen stared across at me, an amused glimmer in her eyes despite the scowl that was also distinctively her. Her silver hair was pulled into a strict bun, her deep navy blue shirt bringing out the blue color of her eyes.
I’d never paid attention to her facial features before, but I noticed then that she was a beautiful woman, age doing nothing to hide a bone structure that I was certain had captivated men when she was younger.
“How are you feeling this morning? I heard you were released from your punishment in the lower floors.”
Heat tinged my cheeks a healthy pink, my thoughts racing back to the punishment Callan gave me during the hours we spent alone in the dungeon.
As if intuiting my thoughts, Gretchen’s eyes scanned my skin where it was exposed, most likely looking for more of the marks Callan often leaves during sex.
She wouldn’t find any new ones, at least not in places visible to her eye.
“I’m good, a little confused, though.”
“Why’s that?”
Fidgeting in my seat, I looked around the dining hall, unable to hold her stare for long.
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s weird not having an escort.”
Soft laughter shook her shoulders.
“You’re a Rose, Lisbeth. Not a maid. Not a slave. Callan came to me this morning and explained that you’ve been restored your freedom.”
Shock stilled me in place. My first thought was that this was a trick...a test of sorts. Much like the night Isabelle offered to help me escape. Although Callan and I didn’t discuss it, the signs were clear after I’d been caught.
Even if this was a test, it wasn’t one I would fail again. Not that it was due to fear of Callan, but because three days locked in a room had given me enough time to realize I didn’t want to be away from him.
“Why?” I finally asked, unsure what to think or do.
“My advice? Don’t ask too many questions. My opinion, however, is that Callan has finally realized what all