Page 46 of Unwillingly His

He’d be discreet about what was going on between Stella and me. He also managed the rest of the staff with an iron fist, ensuring that they worked at the same level he did. At all times.

Stella could pout all she liked.

It wouldn’t matter this time.

She would be learning her lesson soon enough.

I walked around the long, elegant table and pulled out her chair, motioning for her to sit.

Her lips twisted like she wanted to refuse, but I raised an eyebrow.

Thankfully, she was quick enough to learn that that expression was a threat, and one she should heed.

Sulking, she stomped over to the seat, and then her breeding took over, and she gingerly sat while I pushed in the chair. I didn’t miss her slight wince once she was in the chair.

“Is this really necessary?” she said, crossing her arms.

“Yes,” I said, moving back to my side of the table.

Less than thirty seconds after I sat down, Hamilton stepped into the dining room and held open the door for the kitchen staff. They placed the breakfast items on the table: pastries as well as omelets, coffee, tea and juices, fresh fruit, toast, and potatoes in three different ways. As well as a plethora of breakfast meats.

I stood again and selected for Stella.

In time, I would let the staff serve her, but this time, I would take care of it. She was far too thin. She needed to eat more. I piled her plate high with eggs, potatoes, bacon, and toast. Snatching a small crystal cup of cut fruit, I placed it all in front of her.

“I can’t eat all this!”

“Try,” I ordered as I turned to make us both a cup of coffee. Already knowing how she liked it from observing her at a cafe cart outside the courtroom, I added a sugar substitute and a little skim milk, then set the cup in front of her.

I loaded my plate up next with the proteins and carbs I was going to need to fuel my day, as well as a large cup of hot coffee.

“So what are your plans today?” I asked as I took my seat.

“Just a few errands to run,” she bit out.

“Good, then let’s make this quick. Let’s go over the rules that you seem to have already forgotten.”

“I haven’t forgotten anything,” she said, staring daggers at me.

“Really? I haven’t forgotten anything what?”

Her face paled as she looked at a maid and the footman, who stood by the door, waiting to see if we needed anything, and Hamilton, who stood beside him.

“In this house, the staff sign ironclad NDAs. When it is just us and the staff, we are in private.”

“I haven’t forgotten anything, sir,” she said between clenched teeth, and I barely heard it.

It was good enough for now. I understood that she was embarrassed by the way her cheeks glowed, and even the maid had a blush on her face as she stared down at her toes.

Hamilton had no expression at all.

Still, I wasn’t going to fault her for being embarrassed.

“Let’s go over all of the rules again and give you more details, shall we?”

“Yes, sir,” she said as she picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of cantaloupe.

“Good. Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. in this dining room, and if you are in this house, you will be here at 7:00 a.m., fully dressed and ready to enjoy your first meal. This is the meal where we will go over our itineraries, and I will let you know if there is anything pressing that I need you to do that day.”

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