Page 4 of The Demon's Discovery
“As much as I can be.” Which was clearly not enough.
“That’s good.” His head tilted to the side again, thoughts scanning behind his entrancing golden gaze as he watched me.
I glanced around the hall, my concern not only for being seen with a guest but also for being late to meet with Henrik, as my tardiness increased with every passing moment. I was breaking nearly several of the rules set down for me in this house, but I was not about to offend this man. He lavished me with unhurried attention and his full dedicated interest. I honestly was completely unprepared to respond appropriately. Knowing what to do in theory and actually doing so in real life were very different things.
I felt incredibly rude for trying to escape when he was just being kind, but he also wasn’t picking up on the urgency I felt to get away. I started to wonder if I was going to have to make a break for it in the middle of a sentence.
His head tilted almost imperceptibly to the side, and he smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Greta. I’m sorry again for my clumsiness.”
My heart skipped painfully as the tall wooden doors of Henrik’s den began to open. “Yes, me too. If you’ll excuse me, please?”
“Certainly. Apologies for detaining you.” He accepted my hasty response while taking the blame yet again, eyes following mine.
I flew up the stairs, my bare feet scuffing along the rough red-and-beige-patterned rug Lara had insisted on installing the previous summer. I missed the feel of the smooth wooden steps under my toes. I went up two more flights to a hall of rooms that hadn’t been disturbed aside from my dated, under-furnished suite in years. Lara never went beyond her own wing and the main floor unless she absolutely had to. It was mostly peaceful, though at times it was also lonely.
Stopping outside the door to my bedroom to catch my breath, my hand tightened on the knob as another revelation washed over me. I figured out why the beautiful man had seemed so familiar.
He looked like the angel in the fountain at the center of the maze.
Chapter 2
Greta
By the time I’d pulled on a clean rough-linen dress and run back downstairs, a conversation was in full swing inside the den. By the sound of things, my employers had already drunk more than their fair share as they loudly discussed their daughter’s many virtues.
I made my way toward the circle of furniture near the fireplace, hastily combing through my curls with my fingers. I slid onto the far end of a love seat, trying to remain as invisible as possible. Bea shifted closer to me once I was seated, took my hand, and squeezed it. It was our silent code, one we’d had since she was a toddler and I was still a child myself. The two quick squeezes she gave my fingers with hers were a greeting and comfort all in one.
I smiled at her, then my breath stalled in my chest. The beautiful man I’d run into in the hall was seated to the right of my employer. He’d been mostly hidden by the ostentatious wings on the ridiculous chair Henrik insisted on reserving for his most honored guests, but there was no mistaking him. Vassago’s eyebrows lifted in recognition, and he inclined his head slightly in greeting, straightening in his seat.
“I’m sure there’s an excellent reason for your tardiness, Greta.” Henrik cocked his head, disappointment rolling off him in waves. Lara’s scarlet-painted lips thinned to a straight line as she glared right through me.
“I apologize. Something… unexpected came up.”
Lara’s eyes narrowed. “I’m sure. Apologies, Mr. Feland, this one has the unbecoming tendency to lose track of time.”
I sat straighter in my seat, shame heating my face.
“As I was saying, Beatrice is quite gifted at the piano, as well as botanical studies. Won’t be long now until she’s matched and off to make her own music as some blessed soul’s wife,” Henrik enthused.
“Yes, we’ll certainly celebrate when that day comes!” Lara lifted her glass in a salute. “Actually, we were discussing it, and we wondered if you might be interested in?—”
“What is it you enjoy doing, Greta?” the beautiful man interrupted, his eyes never having left mine. I’d always disliked my name, but it sounded less ugly, less harsh on his lips. I stiffened at the way my skin tingled in response.
“Oh, don’t concern yourself with her, Mr. Feland,” Lara tittered. “Despite my best efforts, she’s never really conformed to ladylike ventures. Just today she managed to break no less than three wineglasses during a simple exercise for a friend of mine who’d considered taking her on as temporary staff. Disgraceful, really. Beatrice, on the other hand, excels in those areas. As I was saying, we wondered if you might care to?—”
“I wouldn’t.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I wouldn’t care to.”
“But I haven’t told you what it is yet.” Lara giggled nervously.
“And I didn’t realize that things like music and botany were only meant for ladies to enjoy. Perhaps I should abandon my own talent with those things? I’m sure my brother willbe absolutely crestfallen to hear he should no longer practice botany in particular, given his talent with growing rare plants to use in medicines and remedies.” He raised an eyebrow, eyes sliding away from mine for a moment.
Lara turned a marvelous shade of bright pink under his judgmental gaze, clearly frustrated that he’d interrupted her as well as refused her outright. Henrik began to blabber about how that wasn’t what she meant, but Vassago remained unimpressed. I was stunned but also appreciated someone taking both a stand for and an interest in me, especially to my employers.
“Mr. Feland,” Henrik rushed to say, as though just realizing he’d never actually introduced me, “this is Greta.”
