Page 33 of The Masked Baron
Matilda shook her head, but a chuckle escaped. “I warned ye it was foolish. I bet ye had the master as riled as can be.”
Andalin dropped her fork and glowered. “Your intention was for me to make him angry? I don’t have to chase him into the Black Forest in the middle of the night to accomplish that!”
“Nay, but it’s been too long since I’ve seen a good lover’s quarrel.”
Andalin had just put a bite into her mouth, and she nearly choked. She swallowed it down and coughed. “You’ve been cooped up in the kitchen for too many years. Lord Cadogen is the man who is keeping me from my father; he is not my beau.” Even as Andalin said it she knew Ellis had not been her enemy for some time. He was a friend. Someone she wanted to help. “Last night was about trying to discover a story deliberately hidden from me and everyone else who hasn’t lived here for the last ten years.”
Matilda nodded in a placating way. “And? Did ye learn what ye set out for?”
Andalin paused. She didn’t want to admit to Matilda what she had learned after being teased so. Matilda would surely misinterpret the details to confirm her own theory about Andalin and Ellis.
“I learned the secret lies in the Black Forest. And I hope it stays there.”
Matilda’s mirthful expression slowly melted from her face. “He told ye?”
“No, he didn’t have to. I have come to the conclusion it’s as everyone said; I am better off not knowing.”
Matilda shook her head in a determined way. “I don’t know about that anymore. Just a few days ago I would have agreed with ye. Now I am not so sure.”
“What if I’m too afraid to know?” Andalin pushed her last bite around with her fork. She was so very afraid.
“Fear is natural. But ye shouldn’t dwell on it. It can be consuming. It’s better to look for solutions, for peace, for answers. Ye seem like someone who would want answers.”
Andalin raised her gaze to meet Matilda’s. “I have been seeking answers. But it isn’t just an old story I can unbury; it’s a living force that can still affect and change. It takes more than curiosity. It takes courage.”
Matilda ran her washrag against the counter and then rinsed it off in a bucket of water. Then she leaned heavily on the counter, letting her already stooped neck lower to meet Andalin’s gaze straight on.
“Aye, there is truth to what ye say. Ye have more pluck than ye give yerself credit for. Give it some time before ye close yer mind to the idea. The master could use a distraction. If I’m right, it might just lead him to what he’s searching for.”
Biting her lip, Andalin surprised herself by nodding. Last night she had not only distracted Ellis but inadvertently led him to the witch. No doubt tonight he would search for her again, but this time Andalin would be safely in her bed. She would not be the next Braitwood Hall victim.
Thanking Matilda for her breakfast, she dismissed herself and hurried to the library. She hadn’t any riding lessons to rush off to and wasn’t eager to ask Mr. Lewis to escort her on a walk. A lighthearted book was just the distraction she needed.
After an hour of reading, Mrs. Lewis interrupted her. “I thought now would be a good time to start preparing for our guests next week.”
Andalin set her book aside. “Where would you like me to start? I could help turn out a few of the spare bedrooms or help launder sheets.”
Mrs. Lewis smiled sympathetically. “Not exactly what I had in mind.”
Andalin gave her a coy smile. “I thought it was at least worth a try. Very well. What would you like me to do?”
“As the lady of the house, I would like your opinion on the menu. I know you’re not experienced at what to serve at dinner parties, but this is the perfect time to learn. Then we could go over possible topics of conversation, daytime activities, and perhaps—”
Andalin held up her hand for Mrs. Lewis to stop. “Please, let’s just begin with the menu and work down the list.”
“Certainly,” Mrs. Lewis said, pulling out a small sheet of parchment. “I have it right here.”
Together they discussed Mrs. Lewis’s suggestions. Andalin didn’t change a single thing, except for a dessert or two, and only because they were more to her preference. After they hashed out every meal for the next week, Mrs. Lewis moved to possible dinner conversations.
“I don’t think it would be wise to mention anything involving the past here at Braitwood Hall,” Mrs. Lewis said. “I know you are very fond of the topic, but it would not be appropriate for this sort of company.”
Andalin squirmed. “Oh yes. I will refrain, of course.”
Mrs. Lewis smiled in return. “Wonderful. Now, current events are appropriate for the men but not always well received amongst the ladies.”
Andalin didn’t understand how she could talk about current events when she wasn’t even privy to the events of the manor house.
“Gentler topics for the gentler sex,” Mrs. Lewis finished.
