Page 11 of Dishonor Among Thieves
After grabbing a lamp, Dale took Sara’s lead.
“Sir!” I called out before he could hobble too far.
He stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
“I’ve only just taken Sara in,” I explained. “She’s brand-new to me, and as you can tell from her face, I believe she’s known rough treatment.” I reached for his arm and squeezed gently. “I mean no insult to you, sir, but I don’t know her temperament well yet. I’d urge you to be careful and to know that she might react poorly if she feels unsafe.”
Dale’s face sagged as though his heart were breaking open in front of my eyes. “Oh, my dear, sweet girl. Both of you, that is. I know just what she needs. I’ll take good care of her. In the morning, Rain will pay her a visit. He’s got a special way with horses. We’ll have her feeling right with the world before you know it.”
He clucked his tongue and scurried off toward the stable.
“Miss?” The woman waited at the door, motioning me inside. “Come in, come in. Please.”
I clutched the touchstone around my neck, a sudden rush of emotion freezing me in place. I’d been so certain that what I needed was a job. A place to stay, a source of income. Truth be told, I’d expected to scout the house for valuables. Stay long enough to learn the secrets of the manor, collect a paycheck, and fill my purse with as much as I could sell on the road before going back to the foundling home. To the place where I hoped I might buy my sister’s freedom. Assuming that she was still alive. Assuming I was able to find her. I had every reason to believe she was dead, but still I clung to a weak hope that I would see her again. This job was a means to a very personal end.
I hadn’t considered that the manor would be filled with people who might treat me kindly. Whose warmth might shift something inside my heart and soul in such a way that my plan, while necessary, would seem cold. Calculating. But now was not the time for second-guessing.
As I stepped inside Oderisi Manor, I held my breath and my ground. I was here for one reason, one purpose. No amount of kindness to me or to my horse could shift me from my goal. My life and that of my sister, if she was still living, depended on one thing and one thing only. I’d need to toughen myself—push myself harder and farther than I’d been pushed yet. The sweet old couple, the pretty gentleman, this warm home with the magical glowing flowers and beautiful land were not mine, would never be mine. This was a job, and a temporary one at that.
I gripped my sister’s stone in a shaking hand as I reminded myself why I was here: to take what was here for the taking.
“I’m Antonia,” the woman explained as she locked the door behind us. “I’m the Oderisi family butler. I’ve managed the household since Neoruzzi and Rainieri were little boys.” She gave me a wink. “Sometimes I still call them Neo and Rain, even though they’re titled gentleman now. Well, Neo holds the title now,” she explained. “Rain did for a time too, while his brother was…unavailable.” She trailed off, leaving me to wonder what the story was there.
Why would a younger brother assume the property title for any amount of time? And then return it? I was certain there was a mystery there that would unravel if I let Antonia speak freely. There would be plenty of time for that once I got settled in.
“Why don’t you have a seat?” Antonia gestured toward an ornately carved wooden door that was slightly ajar. “I’ll call for Lord Oderisi. Have you eaten, dear? Shall I bring tea or some supper?”
I was about to ask for as much food as she could spare when a voice behind me froze the blood in my veins.
“Brexia? What, by the gods, are you doing here?”
ChapterFour
Apair of golden eyes met mine. The man was glaring and storming past Antonia to meet me. He was closely followed by another man, one with long, sand-colored curls and stormy gray eyes, his angular chin covered by a scruff of facial hair.
“Neo!” Antonia clasped a hand over her mouth. “Mind your manners. This girl is our guest!”
“Thisgirlis a thief,” Neo barked. “And the fact that she’s here now when Itoldher…”
I held up my hand and shook my head. “I beg your pardon. If this is about the matter of your eating blade—”
“So this is her?” The blond man cocked his chin and looked me over with a smile. “This is the woman?”
“Hold your tongue, brother,” Neo seethed.
The shorter of the men walked up to me, his hand extended. “I’m Rainieri Oderisi. Neo’s younger brother. My apologies for his lack of manners. He’s only recently been dismissed from prison and doesn’t fully remember how to behave in polite company.”
“Rain!” Neo’s eyes flashed, and he crossed his arms over his chest.
“Prison?” I reached out and tentatively shook the younger man’s hand. “I don’t suppose he was apprehended for stealing? He seems to have a great preoccupation with thieving.”
Neo sighed and pushed past the ornately carved door. Inside, a beautifully appointed sitting room was warm, a fireplace bricked with unusual black stones ablaze with a roaring fire. Luxurious blood-red fabric covered long settees adorned with so many plush pillows, I wasn’t certain how anyone would dare sit on them. Neo paced the length of the room, sighing dramatically while Antonia glared at him like he was an ill-mannered child.
“I was just about to offer our guest some supper,” she said. “She looks as though she could use a good meal and a long rest.”
Neo dismissed her with a wave. “Fine. Bring her all the food in the house. She’s particularly fond of sausage and ale.”
Rain smirked at his brother and motioned for me to join them in the large sitting room.
