Page 29 of The Cruelty of Thorns

“Okay, people, continue to read Frankenstein for next time. Those of you who would like extra credit can give me a paper on any of the themes we discussed today, to be handed in next week.”

Ron followed me out of the classroom and fell into step with me as we navigated the hallway.

“So, I was wondering,” he said as we approached the stairway. “Would you consider going out with me?”

I didn’t know what to say at first. “Um…” I could hear Kristin’s voice in my head. Go for it, girl. “Okay.”

“Great. Give me your phone.”

I fished my phone out of my purse and handed it to him and he entered his number in my contacts then sent himself a text.

“I’ll text you when I get out of class.”

I watched him walk off and tried to calm my shaky nerves. A date. Could I go on a date?

“Kristin is going to love this,” I murmured to myself as I headed toward the cafeteria to meet my roommate for lunch.

CHAPTER 15

INTERLUDE

Small freedoms

I WAS SURPRISED to find myself back in the big room when I awakened the next morning. While I was slightly weak, it wasn’t as bad as the last time. Either I was getting used to the Contessa’s appetite or she had gone easy on me. I sat up in bed as the door opened, surprised not to hear the customary click of the lock.

“Good, you’re up,” Rosetta greeted, and I realized with a surge of emotion that I was happy to see her. While the Contessa may have commanded my desires at night, it was Rosetta who gave me a sense of normalcy, and I was beginning to look upon her as my only friend in this new reality.

I noticed then she wasn’t carrying the usual tray of food. Rather, she had a bundle of folded clothes and a pair of shoes. When I looked closer, I realized they were my clothes, the ones I was wearing when I arrived days ago.

“It seems you did something right last night,” Rosetta said, setting the clothing on the bed. “Once you’re dressed, I’ll take you downstairs for your meal.”

I couldn’t hide my shock. “Are you serious?”

She nodded with a shy smile. “The Contessa feels you are ready to join the household. You’ll take your meals in the kitchen with the rest of the staff.”

“Including the captives?” I asked as I dressed.

“Tomasso will be there.”

“And the other one?”

She lowered her eyes. “I’m afraid he has been sent to the cellar.”

The consequences of that statement hit me. “You mean, he…?”

“As I told you, you do not displease the Contessa. Better that you not worry about him and be thankful for your own freedoms, small though they may be. Now finish dressing so we can go downstairs.”

I buttoned my cioppa and sat down to pull on my shoes then followed her out into the hallway. The manor was quiet as we made our way down the stairs, and I wondered why, in such a large house, I didn’t see or hear the usual bustle of staff. From my own experience in my parents’ house, mornings were usually the busiest time, when the staff cleaned and prepared for the day’s activities.

We passed through a different gathering hall than the one I had entered the night I arrived, not nearly so grand but fine all the same. I detected the scent of baking bread and roasting meat and my stomach growled in response. Rosetta led me through a wide doorway to a short corridor that ended in double doors leading to a sunny room furnished with a simple wooden dining table.

The table was decked out for a comestrio, with multiple platters of roasted meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread and butter, and both red and white wine. An archway at the end of the room opened into a long kitchen, where I could see several women going about their duties with quiet efficiency.

One other person was seated at the table eating, and I realized as I drew closer that it was the boy who had first contacted me in the street.

Tomasso.

I swallowed a flare of jealousy as I approached the table. So this was the Contessa’s most trusted captive? He looked up at me and offered a hooded smile.

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