Page 22 of Hidden Raphael
Chapter 7
Kimberly fumbled as she lowered the Taser in her right hand. Her breaths accelerated. She had to find someone, and tell them about Roger. Harry. Raphael was gone.Meg. She nodded to herself. Yes. She'd find her. Her gaze darted down the halls then she went toward the library. At the top of her lungs she called, "Meg. Where are you?"
She flung open the library door and searched inside. Where would the maid be?
Her chest was tight and it seemed shadows enveloped the bleak walls. The air was like ice that tickled its way into her throat and she couldn't breathe.
Behind her at the threshold of the door, Meg coughed. Kimberly twirled around, though she was dizzy. "Is it cold in here?"
Meg waited with her arms crossed and shook her head. "Do you need me to build a fire for you?"
"No." Kimberly’s legs twitched in her dress and her neck felt heavier from the medallion now as she fiddled and tried to warm herself. She was frozen in the middle of the day. "I wanted to talk to you."
"What? I'm very busy." Meg tapped her foot. "I washed and hung your pants in the closet in your room already."
Kimberly shivered. "Thank you, but I can do my own laundry. Do you know how to shoot a gun? Wait. Do youhavea gun?"
Meg straightened, smoothing the buttons at her collar. "Gun? I've no time for this. Master Raphael won't harm you.”
“I want it to protect myself.”
“I doubt he'd find you attractive enough to try anything."
“Hey,” Kimberly said. She might not be a size zero like the previous woman of the house, but she wasn’t ugly.
"The master is particular." Meg stepped into the hall. "Shouldn’t you be making his lunch? It’s almost noon now."
Kimberly placed the Taser on a table, closed her eyes, let both of her hands go into circles, and said a silent prayer. Then she picked the Taser up and jumped to follow Meg into the hallway. "Wait."
But Meg was nowhere in sight. There had to be hidden passages behind the walls, which would explain the draft.
Kimberly blew out a few short breaths to regain control. Meg was no help.
She needed Raphael.
While she waited for him to return, she decided to make him some old-fashioned oatmeal. Thick, with nutmeg. Fresh muffins. Cooking kept her from worrying. He could eat this for now and she’d serve something heartier to eat later.
Next she set the table and decided to leave the Taser in the chair she used last night. Finished with the silverware, she paced and studied the Scottish historical portraits on the walls in the dining room. It seemed like the man with the scruffy hair and a kilt stared at the diners. She crossed her arms. She'd ask Raphael to move it. She clutched the medallion around her neck like it was a shield. Her stomach churned.
What if Roger had already killed Raphael and she was next?
She took another lap around the table. Raphael should have been home a lot sooner. She’d covered the food so it would stay hot, but she wasn’t tempted to eat. Where was he? Was he hurt, or worse? She bit her nails.
Meg might know how to handle a gun, even if she didn't say. Her limbs tingled. Kimberly shouldn't bet her life on that one. The woman blew hot and cold.
Her heart had palpitations.
Outside, the rainstorm continued its patter on the stone walls. She swallowed, deciding that if he wasn’t home in ten more minutes, she’d leave the castle and go outside to find him.
The huge boom of the front door opening and slamming against the wall rattled her. Her insides quivered. Raphael.
Her feet clattered on the shiny stone floors as she rushed out to greet him. Without a thought, she leapt against his huge chest and squeezed as tight as she could. The scent of pine and cedar made her lightheaded. He smelled better than she'd remembered.
Her chest beat into his. She eventually opened her eyes and realized her dress was soaked. She jumped back.
He held his gritty hands to his sides, his clothes clinging to him. A small puddle of water gathered below his boots. She stared into his deep green eyes and concealed facial expression. Her gaze stayed locked on him. "Thank God you're home."
He dropped something that made a noise beside him and his raincoat let the water drip onto the polished floor. "I went on those errands for you."
