of us already knew.”
“What’s that?”
She gave me a funny look, practically calling me an idiot without saying the word aloud.
“He loves you, Lisbeth. Always has. Regardless of whatever war you two have been fighting, I happen to think the feeling is mutual on both sides.”
If the way my heart hammered to think of him were anything to say about it, she was right.
Silence ticked past while Gretchen and I sat in comfortable silence. She watched me with what I believed was pride behind her eyes. Why that was, I didn’t know. I hadn’t accomplished anything special.
Unable to bear the quiet, I confessed, “I don’t know what to do.”
Her eyes snapped to mine, the scowl fading when her lips twitched at the corners.
“What do you mean?”
Tossing up my hands, I leaned back in my seat and laughed to myself.
“I have nothing to do. Am I supposed to wander around all day?”
A gentle smile.
“Careful. It sounds like you actually enjoyed being a maid.”
I didn’t hate it. Maybe at first, but eventually the easy friendship I’d found with Holly made the hours move fast. The work wasn’t unbearable, and there was an odd sense of accomplishment in it.
If being a Rose meant my days would be filled with walking around on my own and having nobody to talk to, I wasn’t sure I wanted my freedom back. It reminded me too much of my childhood, of the loneliness that crept in every time I realized I was a bauble to be showed off by parents who never really loved me or spent time with me.
“I think I did,” I answered, a smile stretching my lips.
“Do you enjoy what you do? Working all the time? Have you always managed a household?”
A shadow fell behind her eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
“Not always. Believe it or not, my employment with the Rose family is the first time I’ve been in charge.”
I didn’t remember Gretchen from my childhood. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t here. It wasn’t often I paid much attention to the staff. The only servant I ever noticed was Callan.
“When did you start working here?”
Her hand went to her necklace to slowly move the charm back and forth over the chain.
“Franklin hired me shortly after the night of your ball. After the unfortunate loss of so many staff members, Edward and I worked diligently to find replacements. And,” she said shrugging a delicate shoulder, “I’ve been here ever since. I watched Callan grow up from a fifteen year old boy into the man he’s become.”
“He’s different,” I said, my voice almost a whisper on the observation.
“Now, I mean. He’s not the same person he was from when I knew him.”
“We all change.”
Tapping her palm on the table, she straightened in her seat and asked, “What will you do with your day, Ms. Rose?”
“Don’t call me that.”
It was the first time I saw Gretchen smile.
“You’re technically my boss now. I’m only showing you respect.”
I rolled my eyes. “Respect is earned.”
Silence, and then, “Yes, it is. And you’ve earned it from me.”
Surprised by the comment, my brows tugged together. “I haven’t done anything.”
Another slash of the charm against the chain.
“You’ve done more than you know. But then, from the moment I first met you, I knew you were stronger than you looked. It only took a little prodding on my part to remind you.”
Nodding, I stood from my seat.
“I guess I should figure out some way to fill my time. Do you know where Callan is?”
Gretchen remained seated, her eyes tipping up to me with an odd smile stretching her lips.
“He’s in the gym. There’s a fight tomorrow.”
My heart sank at the thought. “Is he-“
“I believe Jacob will be in the ring. You have nothing to worry about.”
A sigh of relief blew out of me.
“Then I guess I shouldn’t bother him.”
I glanced at Gretchen and grinned. “Would I be allowed to steal Holly for the day? She could keep me company.”
The scowl was back.
“She’s working, and we don’t show favoritism in this house. Not the way I run it.”
“But I’m your boss now.”
She shook her head in disbelief when I wiggled my eyebrows as a tease.
“Nice try. You’ll have to find something else to do, at least until Holly is done for the day.”
“Fine,” I grumbled, her soft laughter following me as I left the dining hall to wander around.
After fifteen minutes of walking the halls and growing bored, I decided to head downstairs to the dungeon to see if Haley