Page 68 of Lost in the Dark

And Anna could sleep without worry.

“Come, join us, Wife,” her husband rumbled.

She straightened at her husband’s greeting, smiled as he offered a slight bow. He hadn’t been rejecting her last night, simply giving her time to rest after her journey. She needed to focus her thoughts on him, and reject the way her eyes wanted to linger on Enulf.

“I’m so pleased to break bread with you, My Lord. And to learn what you like.” She approached the table and studied her husband. The light in this room was better than anything she’d encountered yet in this home. He was as massive as she remembered from the previous night. No longer in the first stare of youth, he still cut a dashing figure. Tall and broad-shouldered, he stood many-hands higher than her. A thick beard cupped his chin, and a leather doublet once again tailored into a remarkable codpiece.

“I trust you slept well,” he said.

For a moment, the smile froze on her face.

Had he heard her crying in her bed last night, did he worry he’d shackled himself to a madwoman? She cleared her throat and clasped her hands before her, doing her best to appear modest and sane. “Of course. My room is lovely.” She fluttered her lashes at him, hoping he’d take the hint. “Too large for a single person.”

“As befits wife to lord of this great castle,” he said, without a flicker of interest.

She swallowed a sigh.

“Come.” He motioned for her to join him. The rich fabric of his clothes gleamed, catching light and color from both the high, stained-glass windows and from the fire crackling in the massive hearth. Every piece, from his doublet to his hose, a shade of darkest blue—and, unlike the rest of the castle, perfectly cared for.

Enulf must act as a valet of sorts, because he clearly did his duties.

The housekeeper, however, did not.

Her husband had been in great need of a wife. As soon as she’d shown herself to be an exemplary wife, he’d come to her bed. Their union would be consummated, and her family’s future secured.

She took the seat to his right. “I was thinking I would begin my duties with—”

“Breakfast is served, my Lord.” Gude swept into the room, a steaming bowl held before her. Silver hair pulled tight beneath a starched hood, apron spotless, the tall woman’s gaze swept the table. She ladled spoonfuls of fried vegetables and what looked like sausage onto the lord’s plate.

Anna’s stomach rumbled.

She lifted her plate, ready for a decent meal. “That smells wonderful—”

“This be my lord’s breakfast.” Gude placed the bowl beside Anna’s husband, out of reach, and planted her hands on her hips. “Enulf has your meal.”

“But I—”

“Here you are, Lady.” A hunk of bread, a piece of cheese and a withered apple landed on her plate.

Anna regarded the small portion with stunned disbelief.

She shifted her gaze to Enulf.

He ducked his head and returned to his seat farther down the table. His movements this morning seemed stiffer; his limp more pronounced. Without meeting her gaze, he curled into his seat, enormous body hunched and gnarled as the oldest of trees.

She frowned at the full plate before him. “I beg your pardon, but—”

“How did you sleep, Mistress Anna?” Gude sat across from her, lips curved into a cool smile.

A wealth of meaning dripped from the question—it wasn’t a simple inquiry, but a test. A threat? Did Gude wish to be rid of her new mistress already? Anna had to wonder if that was the case. It certainly wasn’t common for the cook to sit across from the lady of the manor—or to eat better.

She straightened.

Her mother might have passed before Anna and her sisters were old enough to learn what it took to be lady of the manor, but her grandmother had taught her well. She held the cook’s gaze. “I slept quite well.”

“Did you. I wonder why you look so tired.” Not taking her eyes from Anna, Gude speared a sausage and slowly bit into the end.

Anna’s jaw flexed.

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