Page 47 of The Pureblood Daughter
Even as she tells herself not to, she slips from the bed and toward the slight-statured lady’s maid. Amélie doesn’t move away, doesn’t try to escape as Adelina raises a hand toward her face. One of Amélie’s curls has escaped her chignon, and Adelina brushes it back from her neck with gentle fingers. Up close, it’s even easier to make out the many scars adorning the maid’s skin, and it’s the constellation of puckered blemishes that finally breaks the spell of bloodlust that has come over her.
“No,” Adelina says, though mostly to herself, and she tightens her hand into a fist so that it shan’t be tempted to wrap around Amélie’s throat. “That’s not necessary.”
Amélie sighs in what sounds like disappointment, then straightens her shoulders. “Very well. The countess requests that you break your fast with her in the dining room. Shall I help you get dressed?”
Adelina blinks. The countess? Theodore’s mother?
“O-of course,” she says. “But I’ve nothing to wear.” Across the room, the morning dress she ran away from home in still lies over the back of a chair, heavy with memory. There’s no way she’s wearingthatto breakfast.
The maid smiles, then moves across the room to the armoire standing proudly against the far wall. She opens the doors with a flourish and steps aside to reveal its contents. It holds more dresses than Adelina can count, varying in shades and styles.
“Will one of these do, miss?” Amélie asks, and Adelina smiles.
After dressing, Adelina follows Amélie down a long hallway, taking in the fine décor and expensive furnishings. She wears one of Contessa’s gowns, and though the bosom is a bit large, the fabric fits her snugly overall.
Mama would love this, Adelina thinks as she takes in the luxurious Rosetti manor. The thought makes her chest constrict and sends her heart beating erratically.
What does her mother think of all this? Surely she doesn’t condone Papa’s behavior. She’d never agree to locking Adelina in her room. Where does she think Adelina has gone? And how many days have passed since she ran away from home in the pouring rain?
The questions chase one another through Adelina’s head, and she scarcely pays attention to her surroundings except to stick close to Amélie as they traverse the capacious manor.
They step through a doorway, and Amélie promptly moves to the side and curtsies. “My lady,” she says softly.
Adelina’s gaze sweeps the elegant dining room and lands on Lady Rosetti as she stands from the long mahogany dining table. Behind her, the windows are open, and birdsong drifts in. The room is light and airy, and no one would ever guess that the countess standing at the table is a creature straight out of a storybook.
“Thank you, Amélie.” Lady Rosetti’s bright emerald eyes shift, and Adelina’s breath catches in her chest; the countess is most beautiful—indeed, almost inhumanly so. “Miss Gray, will you join me for breakfast?” She gestures to the chair beside hers, where a cup and saucer have already been set out.
Adelina nods and offers the countess a polite curtsy before crossing the room and taking a seat. The butler promptly sweeps in to pour her a cup of tea, and then he’s gone from the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
“Please help yourself,” Lady Rosetti says, waving a hand to the breakfast platters stacked with delectable morning treats. “I thought it best to send Benjamin away, though I’m sure he’s none too pleased about it. You know how the staff delight in gossip.” Her lips curl into a slight smile as she takes a sip from her teacup.
“Thank you, my lady.” Adelina reaches for a pastry glistening with honey and places it on a small breakfast plate. She keeps her gaze averted, though she can feel the countess’s eyes on her as she tears off a piece of the pastry and places it delicately in her mouth.
“How are you?” the countess asks, her tone surprisingly gentle.
Adelina covers her mouth as she swallows, then gives Lady Rosetti a subtle nod. “I’m well. Thank you for allowing me to stay; I understand this is quite... outré.”
“Perhaps. But you are always welcome here. And you must have questions.” The countess lowers her cup and sets it soundlessly on its saucer, then leans forward and places a hand on Adelina’s arm.
The touch catches Adelina off guard, and her eyes flick up to find Lady Rosetti’s intense green stare.
“This must be a frightening time for you. I know we’ve met only once, but I want you to know I’m here to help you through this.” She squeezes Adelina’s arm softly, then leans back, her demeanor open and welcoming.
Adelina sits up straight, and as she looks into the countess’s smiling eyes, she finds tears slipping down her cheeks.
“Forgive me, Lady Rosetti.” She reaches quickly for the serviette beside her plate and dabs her eyes with the soft fabric.
“There’s nothing to forgive, sweet girl. I’d be in pieces if I were you. Don’t hold yourself together on my account.”
At her words, Adelina lefts out a muffled cry, and she’s suddenly grateful the countess sent the butler away. Everything she’s been holding back swells up, and she cries for a moment, letting her tears soak the cloth held to her eyes.
“Is that better?” the countess asks once Adelina’s sobs abate. In response, Adelina smiles and nods lightly. “Good. Now, Theodore tells me you’ve spoken, but it seems he didn’t share many details.”
Adelina shakes her head. “I’m not sure of anything, my lady. Only that things aren’t as they seem. Lord Rosetti says I’m a...” There it is again, thatword. “A vampire.”
The countess smiles. “Indeed you are. I’ve suspected as such since the first night I saw you, the evening of the ball.”
“You knew?” Adelina’s head snaps up, and she studies the woman sitting across from her.
