Page 65 of Love Bleeds Red
I swallow down my pooling saliva. “What’s the occasion, Sir?”
“Patience, Bailey. All will be revealed.” He serves himself a generous portion, then pauses, observing me in that way of his. I wish I could hide my face behind my hands. “Please, help yourself. Mr. Turner would be heartbroken to see this go to waste.”
It feels like a trap, like I’m supposed to politely refuse, but my arms betray me as they reach for the first platter. He watches my every move, gently nodding, as I tentatively serve myself small portions from each platter. After months of eating like a bird, this feels so indulgent. I know my stomach will hurt, but it’ll be worth it.
“Go on,” he says once I finish serving myself. I sit up straight, and grab a bite of egg with my fork. He’s going to stop me, I just know it. But as I slide the bite into my mouth, he smiles. “There you are. You’ve earned this.”
The food turns bland as I swallow it down.Earned this.What will thisrewardcost me?
“Thank you, Sir,” I say, holding back my questions.
“You’re welcome.” He cuts into his eggs with precise movements, continuing, “I’ve been thinking quite a lot about you lately. About how remarkably well you’ve adapted to life here.”
I take a small bite of bacon, letting the salty goodness sit on my tongue. It’s so good, I could moan. I finish chewing and dab my lips with my white cloth napkin. “I try to follow the rules, Sir.”
“It’s much more than rule following,” he says. I wait for him to continue but he takes his time, sipping from his cup and patting his lips dry. “Ms. Harrington tells me your lessons are going well. Your conversation skills and vocabulary have improved quite dramatically, and even your reading selections have shown me that you’re mature for your age.”
I have no idea where he’s going with this, so I incline my head. “Thank you, Sir.”
He lets out a pleased hum that reminds me of the first night I met him back at that hotel suite. “You’re special, Bailey. Such a good, obedient girl.”
I’ve never wished I could be someone else so badly. Someone more like Cat. I don’t want to be his obedient girl. His good girl. Knowing that’s how he thinks of me makes my stomach churn.
He spears a sausage with his fork and brings it to his lips. As he bites into it, his eye contact grows even more intense, more unsettling. “This is where I expect a response, Bailey.”
I clear my throat. “I apologize, Sir. Thank you for the compliment.”
He inclines his head then gestures to my plate. “Now, finish up. I’m sorry to say that I’ll be away for some time. I have business to take care of. Ms. Harrington and the others will see that you’re well taken care of and when I return, I hope to have a surprise for you.”
“What kind of surprise?”
His head snaps up and I immediately realize my mistake. With my heart pounding, I add, “I meant to say, if you would be so kind as to give me a hint, Sir.”
His fingers tighten around the handle of his teacup and he sucks air through his teeth. “I won’t let you sully this wonderful breakfast, my dear.” He sets down his teacup, and taps his fingers on the edge of the table. “But since I’m in a good mood… let’s just say I’ve been in correspondence with a very important young man. Someone quite close to me who’s been away far too long.”
My mind whirls. What does this man have to do with me? My thoughts must be clear on my face as he goes on.
“No need to be frightened. He’s brilliant and quite handsome, though he’s rather stubborn. What he needs is the right motivation to see things from a more mature perspective.” Sir’s eyes gleam with pride. “A refined young woman who understands her place. Someone who can help him appreciate what he’s been missing by being so resistant to the opportunities presented to him.”
He finishes the rest of his tea while I listen closely. “Three months of careful preparation, and you’re almost ready to serve your purpose. To help guide him toward accepting his destiny.”
My hand shakes as I reach for my glass of water. “And what is that destiny, Sir?”
He chuckles and drums his fingers on the table. “I must be going. Be a good girl while I’m away.”
I should be happy that he’s leaving, but that conversation left me with more questions than answers.
He leaves the table, and Ms. Harrington immediately enters the room like she has some kind of sensor that tells her when he moves more than a foot, but she’s not alone. Another woman trails along behind her. She’s tall and thin, maybe only a fewyears older than me with light brown hair pulled back tight, wearing the same blue uniform that Ms. Harrison wears.
Sir speaks to them both in a low commanding tone before he walks out of the room without so much as a last glance my way.
Where did she come from? In all the time I’ve been here, I’ve only seen glimpses of other workers coming and going like shadows. There’s Mr. Turner, the cook who prepares meals early in the morning and is usually gone by the time I sit down for breakfast. Then there’s a gardener or two. I don’t know their names and I’ve barely gotten a look at their faces. She must be new. Either that, or she’s been kept in a different area of the estate.
Ms. Harrington clears her throat. “This is Polly, she’ll be assisting me for the present. Polly has been with me for some time and knows the expectations she must adhere to.”
So in other words, don’t try anything. Got it.
“Hello,” I say, hoping for some kind of recognition in return. Anything that tells me she could be a potential ally. Or even that she’s not like Sir or Ms. Harrington.
