Page 40 of The Time Of Queens

“I fear I must apologise.”

My eyes widened enough to show surprise before I started to tell him,

“Like I said yesterday, my Lord, her actions had nothing…”

“For my own actions, Miss Williams… I am apologising for my own actions,” he stated firmly, interrupting me.

“Oh,” I said, swallowing hard.

“I can’t think back to it without abhorrence, for you had just been assaulted by one of my staff and then straight after it, found the master of the house breaking into your room and…”

I couldn’t stand watching his struggles any longer, making me step up to him. Then I placed my hand on his arm.

“No, please don’t. Your actions, no matter how… abrupt…” I said, pausing to clear my throat before continuing. “They were only to ensure my wellbeing. I cannot hold you at fault for that.”

After this I braved looking up at him, only to find his gaze burning into mine once more. It was like two forces so great, so powerful, it would have been like asking the waves not to crashupon the shore or the storm not to shake the trees. It was an unstoppable force of nature of our own making.

“Dine with me tonight?” he asked, and it was so sudden that my mouth actually dropped open. His already heated gaze fell to the sight, making me quickly bite my lip. Something then sparked in his gaze. Like a small hint of recognition that forced me to allow my lip to slip free of my hold, hoping it was quick enough he didn’t chase the memory.

“I… I don’t think that is…”

“We won’t be alone, of course, if that is your concern,” he added, and I couldn’t help but think that it sounded like an afterthought.

“I am but a lady’s maid, my Lord,” I said, as he clearly needed reminding of this. But he scoffed and told me,

“You are a woman who was assaulted in my home and in wake of such, I did not act like the gentleman you deserved. Therefore, you must allow me to make amends by coming to dinner tonight.”

“I…”

He stepped closer still and took my bandaged hand in his own, stroking the top of it.

“Please… please let me prove myself to be that gentleman,”he said softly, and I inhaled a quick breath. Did he mean he wanted tobethe gentleman he thought I deserved? I found my heart racing faster before nodding my head.

“Then I thank you… for I will be honoured to join you for dinner,”I told him quietly, making him grin as he raised my hand to his lips and kissed the back just over my damaged knuckles.

“Tonight then,” he said, his voice lightened and more at ease, as it was clear he was afraid I was going to say no.

“Tonight,” I said, pulling my hand from his, feeling his fingers tighten half a beat before releasing me. Which meant Iwas now free to make my way to the door, needing to escape the intensity building. However, the moment I opened the door, he told me,

“I look forward to getting to know you better, Miss Williams.”

I swallowed hard before bowing my head as way of goodbye, and I left thinking only one thing…

What wouldhe discover by the end of the night?

16

TO DINE OR NOT TO DINE

Once again, I found myself looking at another mirror and seeing an entirely different person staring back at me. Of course, when Draven practically demanded that I join them for dinner, I had foolishly thought he simply expected me to turn up. That it would be a case of just arriving at the dining room in my simple black dress and eating a better quality of food.

But no. In true Draven style, he had a dress sent to my room, with a handwritten note telling me what time dinner was to be served. His elegant script had not changed much since the first time I had seen it written. Way back when he had left me a note before I had woken up to find myself in his bed for the first time. No, just the stationary had changed and the means to write, as the ink looked fresh. Along with it the words at the bottom that may have sounded like a simple line written, but were loaded with promise.

‘Until Tonight.’

Now as for the dress,Pip told me it was known as a ‘princess style’ and well, I certainly felt like one in it. It was made from a rich cobalt blue silk, with a fitted bodice and a floor length skirt, one made huge thanks to the cage skirt underneath. Something Pip also told me was called a crinoline frame.

I couldn’t decide what was worse, the uncomfortable corset or this caged monstrosity attached to my waist I was supposed to be able to walk in.

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