Page 58 of The Masked Baron
Matilda was kneading dough when she entered. A rush of peace flooded over Andalin. She was home.
“Oh, Matilda! How I missed you.” She put her arm around the older woman and hugged her from the side.
“Careful ye don’t get flour on yer nice gown, or I’ll be in the briars!” Matilda dusted her hands off and gave Andalin a warm smile. “It’s good to have ye home again.”
Andalin slipped onto her stool and rested her head on her hand. “Any news while we were gone?”
Matilda dug her knuckles into the dough while she spoke. “Ye shouldn’t be spending yer free time consorting with the servants. But since this house is unusual, I will tell ye everything I remember. Hannah and I put together peach preserves, pickles, and beets. Mr. Lewis filled the cellar with potatoes. Hmm, I guess ye weren’t gone too long.”
Andalin grinned. “It felt like ages.”
“Because ye’re young,” Matilda said with a wry laugh. “How was the ball?”
Andalin told Matilda about her dress, the dancing, and then about Mr. Crow and the Whites’ house. “I cannot feel sad about losing the beautiful ball gown in the fire, not after what the Whites endured. I am heartily ashamed to be connected to Mr. Crow in any way. It makes me ill to think on it. I don’t know how I can ever repay the Whites.”
“The master will take care of all the details, ye can be sure. It’s a good thing he’s on yer side. Mr. Crow will get what’s been coming to him.”
The situation felt impossible to fix. Andalin knew she wasn’t directly responsible, but it would take time before she fully forgave herself. If only she had missed the ball or agreed to leave with Mr. Crow—though she shivered to consider that option—or even been more aware of her surroundings that night and avoided the man. So many of her decisions could have changed the course of the night.
Andalin shuddered. “Lord Cadogen said the law sentenced Mr. Crow, as well as the Whites’ servant he had bribed, and I will never have to see the vile man again. If my father had not risked his situation, I would still be in Corbridge as Mr. Crow’s wife.” She pressed her eyelids together to remove the horrifying image from her mind.
“The Good Lord watches over his sheep. Don’t feel too badly about the Whites’ house. That Mr. Crow was wicked, and ye need to focus on the fact that ye’re safe. That’s what matters now.”
Andalin tried to believe what Matilda said. She needed to believe it. If not for Ellis, she would be dead or, worse, the property of Mr. Crow.
“Did Lord Cadogen come to get anything to eat before he went out this morning?” Andalin asked.
Matilda put her dough into a pan and wiped the flour off her hands onto her apron. “Hard to know. He’s usually up well before the sun unless he’s been out all night. I try and leave a few things out for him just in case he stops in. I used to fuss more, but now that ye’re here, it seems I’ve relaxed a bit.”
“Because now you have to fuss over me?”
“It’s because now I’m not so worried about our young lord.” Her eyes sparked with a mischievous glint. “Mrs. Lewis heard him whistling last night in his study after ye had gone to bed. I can’t tell ye how long it’s been since we’ve heard that carefree noise.”
“Why would you assume it has to do with me? I think the break from here refreshed him is all,” Andalin said. “Even so, considering the circumstances, I can’t see why anyone would want to whistle.”
Andalin picked at a bit of dough left on the counter and squashed it between her fingers. “It’s strange how people change. But then again, nothing’s really changed.”
“Come again?” Matilda asked.
The desire to tell someone the confusing feelings tumbling around inside of her piqued. It wasn’t as simple as discussing the weather. She didn’t know what to say or if she should say anything at all. Thoughts of Ellis consumed her. The quick kiss they had shared, his dark past, the secret behind his mask.
She wanted to love him and help him through his grief, but he had assured her nothing had changed. He was still a man driven with anger, and it bothered her greatly. Where was Papa when she needed his wisdom and guidance?
She dropped the dough and dusted off her fingers. “How is your plan coming along?”
“Plan?” Matilda scrunched her nose. “Oh,thatplan. Yes, it’s coming along marvelously. I’d say Hannah was really onto something this time.”
Andalin quirked her brows with intrigue. “Can I help yet?”
“Soon, sweet child. Soon.”
***
Andalin pricked her forefinger for the third time and mumbled under her breath.
“Muttering are we?” Ellis said, poking his head into the sitting room. “It looks like I’m not the only one who has a touch of madness.”
Her heart lifted as she anxiously met his gaze. He leaned casually against the doorway, though she hoped he’d come in and sit awhile.
