Page 13 of The Time Of Queens

“Apologises, brother, it seems we have a misunderstanding.”

“And I am keen to hear of it, seeing as this was not what I expected to find upon retrieving my other dinner jacket.”

“Oh no, what happened?” Pip asked, making him frown as if this wasn’t important. However, it was still the era for gentlemanly behaviour.

“One of the servants spilled some wine,” he said in a dismissive way, tossing the one he had in his hand off to a chair as if to make his point. It also had to be said how handsome he looked without it. His waistcoat framed his muscular torso deliciously.Okay, focus, Keira, angry Lord of the manner present.

“It seems as if Miss Williams got lost, for Pip asked her to retrieve some luggage that was accidently placed in her husband’s room. Miss Williams simply forgot which room it was and wandered in here by mistake. Pip and I were just in the process of saving her when you walked in,” Sophia told him, and I swear, my mouth nearly dropped, and I felt a strong need for a round of applause. Damn, she was good. Even Pip looked impressed.

However, I quickly had to shake myself from the awestruck expression I was currently sporting, as Draven turned suspicious eyes on me.

“And you, Miss Williams, what do you say? Is this the way of things?” he asked, his voice so stern that I found I had to clear my throat first before daring to speak.

“I… I am afraid it is, my Lord, and I am so sorry. Never would I have dreamed of intruding on your… your personal place… space… I mean persons. I… wouldn’t have dreamed of you… to do that,” I said, stumbling for words and, thankfully, he lost his anger and instead looked amused. He even stepped closer to me, and after inclining his head slightly, he teased,

“Wouldn’t have even dreamed of me… is that so?”

I bravely raised my eyes to look at him and the second they locked, I was swiftly captured in the depths of them. But I wasn’t the only one who seemed to be enthralled, as neither of us could look away. It was only when Sophia cleared her throat that the spell was broken.

“Yes, well, we better let you get back to the dining room, for we will show Miss Williams the way to the right room.”

I nodded my head, and muttered a quiet, shy,“Good evening, sir.”

Then I stepped away from him, where I swear he looked to have been trying to get closer. He even looked as if he might try and stop me but refrained from doing so at the last second. I then made my way to the door, where the other two were standing. Yet before we could leave, Draven had one last thing to say.

“I will see you down there, but before you go, have one of the footmen sort the mistaken luggage, for I do not want Miss Williams burdened with such heavy weight… is that understood?”

“Oh, but it is no bother as I…” I started to speak but he interrupted with a stern look and asked again,

“I said, is that understood?”

I swallowed hard this time and nodded my head.

“Yes, my Lord, thank you.”

He at least looked appeased somewhat before he turned his back on us. Which meant I was free to leave with the others, now hurrying towards my own room. However, before I could, I felt my arm being grabbed as Sophia stopped me.

“This conversation isn’t over,” she warned, but before I could say anything in return, she let me go and walked down the stairs.

“Don’t worry, she will come around,” Pip assured me with a warm smile.

“Pip! Let us not keep them waiting,” Sophia yelled, giving Pip cause to shrug her shoulders and hurry after her. This after first giving my hand a reassuring squeeze.

Well, at least someone liked me here, I thought, quickly feeling a headache coming on. Because now I was asking myself, what was easier, being Draven’s prisoner or being…

His maid?

I missed my bed.

No, scrap that, I missed my bed with Draven in it.

I missed the feel of his arms around me. I missed that nook I used to lay my head against, between his shoulder and his chest. I missed the way he would stroke my hair, playing with it absent mindedly as if I had become a habit of his. The way he would trail his fingertips across my bare skin, the soothing motion easily lulling me to sleep.

I missed it all.

It was no doubt why I tossed and turned now, wondering if prisoners had beds this uncomfortable. Although I knew I shouldn’t be complaining, as it was a damn sight better than the pavilion I had tried to sleep on the night before.

Guilt gnawed away at me as I thought of what I kept putting Draven through. I continued to show up, only to leave again and cause him pain every time I did. It was why I had written him that letter, knowing that I couldn’t go without saying goodbye. Without giving him some peace by knowing the real reason why. My only solace was knowing that these timelines would end the moment we all made it back. But just like in Persia, I had no idea how long that would be.

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