Page 94 of Peasants and Kings
“I wanted to tell you breakfast is ready,” Ingrid said, startling me into splashing lukewarm coffee all over the front of my sweater.
She came to my side and had the grace to look sheepish. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay,” I said, throwing her a genuine smile. “I didn’t hear you and the coffee wasn’t hot. Thank you for the food. That’s very thoughtful.”
“Change your sweater and then come to the kitchen to eat your breakfast. I don’t want it to get cold.”
Ingrid left the balcony before I could reply. It seemed she and Hadrian were cut from the same cloth. Both of them commanded and expected their orders to be obeyed.
I didn’t have the energy to protest. I changed my sweater and then headed to the kitchen. Ingrid was pouring a glass of orange juice when I entered.
“Sit.” She waved to a kitchen stool at the island and pushed the plate in front of me.
“This looks delicious.” I picked up my napkin and set it in my lap and then I reached for the fork and knife. I cut into the flaky biscuit doused in brown gravy and stuck a bite into my mouth.
I moaned in delight. “How is Hadrian not five hundred pounds? Your food is unbelievable!”
She smiled and preened at my compliment. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
Ingrid cleaned up the kitchen as I continued to demolish my food. I was quickly becoming a convert of hearty breakfasts.
“Hadrian has never brought a woman here, ever,” she said as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
I swallowed the last bite of biscuit and patted my mouth. “Never?”
“Never. The fact that he brought you here speaks volumes,” she said.
I clamped my mouth shut. I wasn’t going to ask her if she knew the circumstances of how I’d met Hadrian. He was a private person, and she had already told me he didn’t confide everything in her.
“He has his life and everything money could buy. I’m just…a diversion,” I said.
She shook her head. “He has people here. He takes care of them. That’s what Hadrian does. He takes care of people, but he refuses to let anyone take care ofhim. He’s never let anyone in. Until you. Heneedsyou.”
“He doesn’t,” I insisted.
“Hadrian brought you here.You, not someone else. That was a big step for him. Don’t let him push you away.”
“So, I should give him a medal?” I asked dryly. “I should give a rich, mysterious billionaire the benefit of the doubt all because he brought me to his island home?”
Ingrid’s smile was slow—and not at all expected. She looked out the window. “It promises to be a clear day. You should go out and enjoy it.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay the night?” Ingrid asked. “It’s no trouble. I can drive the golf cart to the other side of the island, get some clothes, and then come back. Hadrian won’t mind.”
I shook my head. “The good weather has kept as long as it’s going to. It will storm. Stay inside, stay warm.”
She frowned. “I don’t want you to be alone. Hadrian told me—”
“It doesn’t matter what he told you,” I said. “I don’t mind being here by myself. I actually prefer it.”
“Let me give you my number. Just in case.”
I handed her my cell. Ingrid plugged in her number and then gave it back to me.
After my walk on the beach, I’d gone for a swim. My phone had rested on a chair next to the pool, but it had remained steadfastly silent.
During the afternoon, Ingrid plied me with food and conversation, keeping it light and bubbly and Hadrian-free.
“I’ll be here at eight tomorrow morning,” she said.
