Page 42 of The Devil's Pawn

“You’re a natural.” Will grins.

I bring Lottie to a halt and dismount. My legs are a little wobbly, but I’m buzzing. “Would you be able to give me one or two more lessons? Just until I feel confident enough to go out on my own.”

He shrugs. “If you like. Here, I’ll lead her back. Wait a few minutes, then follow me.”

Taking hold of Lottie’s reins, he sets off across the fields. After five minutes, I head back, too. All this cloak and dagger is ridiculous, but I understand Will’s reticence. He hasn’t said as much, but I’m sure he needs this job, yet he’s risking the wrath of his boss to help me. Alexander should be grateful for Will’s help instead of warninghim off.

Jerk.

As soon as I enter the house, Saskia appears at the top of the stairs flanked by a couple of staff members carrying suitcases. She must be going somewhere. Lucky her. I can’t wait for the moment when I’m packing my bags to leave here.

“Can you put those in the car and tell the driver I’ll be there shortly?” she says to the staff. Once they’ve left, she addresses me. “Imogen, you okay? You look as if you’ve lost a tenner and found a pound.”

I shrug. “All good.” Hooking my thumb at the door, I say, “Going somewhere?”

“Yeah.” She rolls her eyes. “Xan’s orders. Urgent business stuff that needs Tobias and me to take care of it, apparently.”

“I see.”

There’s no hope of me befriending Saskia if she’s never around. Even Tobias could be an ally, but if he’s gone, too, that leaves me with no one. Nicholas and Christian are polite enough, but I wouldn’t trust them an inch.

“Will you be gone long?”

“A week, maybe a little longer. This time.” She angles her head to one side. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Just a little lonely.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you in a strange land, surrounded by people you don’t know, married to a man you only met two weeks ago. I wish I could be around more, but there’s always something that needs taking care of.”

“It’s okay. I’ll manage.” She gives me a sympathetic smile, but as she walks away I call her back. “Hey, Saskia… do you think there might be a role in one of your companies for me?”

I hate having nothing to do, and the De Vils have manybusinesses, including construction. I’d love to be able to gain some work experience ahead of my role with Zenith.

Her smile turns into a grimace. “We always need good people, but it’s not me you need to have this conversation with.”

The momentary bubble of hope bursts. She’s right. It’s Alexander I have to convince, and my gut tells me my chances of him agreeing are somewhere between slim and none, but unless I ask, I won’t know. I’ll speak to him tonight after he returns from London.

It’s seven that evening when Alexander’s car pulls up outside the house. I watch from the window as he exits, looking as pristine as when he got in earlier this morning. The man never wrinkles. It isn’t normal. Then again, neither is he.

After waiting for what I consider an appropriate amount of time to allow him to shower and change, I leave my rooms and go in search of him. As I approach his office, Richard appears from out of thin air and stands in front of the door.

“Can I help you, Mrs. De Vil?”

I don’t like his tone, nor the position he’s taken up. Looking him squarely in the eye, I say, “I’d like to see my husband.”

“He’s busy right now.” He folds his arms and widens his stance. “I’ll let him know you’d like to see him once he’s free.”

What the hell is going on here? “Are you saying I can’t go in there?”

“I’m saying that Mr. De Vil asked not to be disturbed.”

“And that includes by me?”

He doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t need to. Great. I’ll have to wait for another time to ask Alexander about working.I spin on my heel and head for my rooms, but as I turn the corner where my rooms are, Maisie catches up to me.

“Don’t take it personal, Ms. Imogen.” She glances behind her as though she’s expecting someone to appear. Lowering her voice, she adds, “Tuesdays aren’t good days for Mr. Alexander.”

Interest piqued, I narrow my eyes. Probably best I didn’t get to see him tonight, then. “What do you mean?”

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