Page 22 of Bloody Business

She relaxed.The idea of someone stealing from him bothered her.There was a lock on her wardrobe, and she kept her personal things in there.No doubt he had a secure storage of his own.

“How are you feeling today?You look a bit pale,” he commented as they headed for the stairs.

“I'm fine, thank you.I'll be more careful of your aunt's homebrew though.It packs a punch.”She said hesitantly, “It was kind of you to help me inside.I must have been heavy.”She had a vague memory of him carrying her up the stairs and turning her over to her maid.

“Not at all.I'm sure it was much harder for you to carry me.I distinctly recall you cursing together with the stable boy as you dragged me inside.”

She paused.“You remember that?”

“You dropped me once and hit my head on the door post.The dead would have noticed,” he said dryly.

“Then you remember...”she trailed off, embarrassed.

“You muttering while you wiped off the blood and mud?I appreciate that by the way.I know it was disgusting.”

His words brought back the horrid memories.Embarrassment, yes, but the memory of cold, clammy skin, blood and bruises...caring for someone who was so grievously hurt left a mark on the caretaker, too.

They had paused on the landing.He took her hand from where it was unconsciously rubbing her sleeve.He waited until she met his gaze and then kissed it.“I'll try not to grieve you again.”He placed it on his arm and they walked on.

She wanted to protest that she wasn't grieved, but that would be a lie.She wanted to say that it had been nothing, but that would also be a lie.Instead she said nothing.Sometimes it was best to drop the matter.

She was jolted out of her agitation by the surprise in the foyer.

A fountain of brown balsamic rock sat in the middle of the floor.The pillars were naturally dished on top where the water pooled and trickled down into a shallow basin.There were little trees and moss, a miniature mountain scene.It was charming, but she had no memory of it.

Was that there yesterday?Had it been installed while they were out and she simply hadn't noticed it when they came home?She barely remembered being carried inside and tucked into bed.

Artur smiled at her surprise.“The mountain installed a fountain yesterday.”

“The mountain,” she asked incredulously.It was hard to see what mountains had to do with redecoration.Was it the name of a company?

“Of course.I'm sure you heard it moves.Sometimes it rearranges housing, too.Last year it moved a bridge.It was inconvenient for a while but it eventually improved traffic flow.”

“But it puts fountains in your homes?”she asked, dumbfounded.

“Occasionally.We believe it sees us as pets.”

“So it's alive?”she asked hesitantly.“Do you...worship it or anything?”She had never heard of goblins doing that, but what did she know?The idea made her profoundly uncomfortable.

He snorted.“Worship a mountain!Who would be that stupid?It's a big pile of rocks.”

He repeated it under his breath, chuckling, as he led her to the breakfast table.

It hadn't beenthatfunny.There were people in her hometown who carved firewood into idols and prayed to it twice a day.She thought it was a foolish practice, but it was a legitimate question.

She figured if it got cold, they could always toss the fancy log on the fire; at least then it would have a practical use.

Breakfast was sausage, eggs and biscuits with mushroom gravy.Spicy goblin mustard accompanied almost every meal, and there were always pickles.Today's pickle was quail eggs, and she loaded up on the squeaky little eggs.

Mmm, quail.

Gal smiled widely as she and Zac sat at the table.“Greetings, Aunt!The dressmaker is coming over today to ask you some questions.You know, what colors do you like, that sort of thing.We decided it would be more convenient for you, since you still seem a bit tired.”

“I see.Thank you.”The idea of going to a dressmaker seemed tedious.If clothes had to be chosen, it was nice that it could be done here.Saved time, too.

Gal's grin was toothy, as if she were deeply enjoying herself.Perhaps even plotting.

Well, shewasa teenager.They were a lot like cats; unfathomable and prone to mischief.Julep applied herself to eating and didn't worry about it.

---