Page 21 of Enchanting the Elf
Standing completely still, I try not to eavesdrop but can’t help the uncomfortable twitch in my chest at hearing the sounds of her distress.
I turn around and head back toward the kitchen, trying to give her privacy, only to stop again.
What if she needs assistance? She’d ask. Wouldn’t she?
I grab the back of my neck and take a deep breath, indecisiveness gnawing at me. With a long exhale, I pivot again and find my feet moving toward her.
I clear my throat.
“Florence,” I call from down the corridor, giving her the opportunity to send me away if she needs more time with her sister or to compose herself.
The conversation continues for a little while, and I make a concerted effort not to listen to anything they’re saying, but the tone is indicative that they are wrapping up the call.
Florence appears in the doorway of her room, her long hair swaying with the motion as she tilts her head and gives me a soft smile.
“Were you looking for me?”
Her large eyes are slightly glassy, but she doesn’t necessarily look distressed.
“Have you eaten dinner?” I ask, and immediately regret how brusque my tone sounds. Again.
“I, um, not yet.” Florence’s smile falters and she looks at a spot on the ceiling and toys with the ends of her hair.
I cross my arms over my chest and my brows draw together, not sure who I am more annoyed with—her, for not taking care of herself, or me, for not ensuring that she is taken care of. As my guest, of course.
“Why not? It is late.”
“I’m okay. Don’t worry about me,” Florence says kindly with a smile that tries to reassure me.
“Why?” I ask, voice flat, needing a direct answer for the reason she has not helped herself.
Florence’s eyes jump from spot to spot but she doesn’t look at me. Her teeth worry her bottom lip, and she cants her head before answering hesitantly.
“Well, um, I’m not, um, one-hundred-percent sure where everything is or, um, what I can use.” Her voice tapers into a whisper at the end of her admission and she looks down at her feet.
“I told you to help yourself.”
Florence’s eyes snap up to me and she straightens her back. Her tone is even and tempered as she says, “I met you literally three days ago and now I’m living with you on the other side of the world, without having any choice in the matter. I don’t know where anything is or if there are certain things I shouldn’t touch. So excuse me if I’m uncomfortable ‘helping myself’ in the home of someone who doesn’t want me here.”
I take a step back, her words hitting me with a force I don’t think she’s aware of.
“I apologize.” I incline my head at her and my brows furrow as a new thought occurs to me. “Have you eaten at all today?”
Florence rolls her lips between her teeth and gives a subtle shake of her head.
“Come.” My fingers stretch as my hand starts to reach toward her of its own accord, but I quickly roll my fingers back into a fist and head for the kitchen.
Chapter thirteen
Florence
I feel awful for just spewing all of that out and making Adelbert feel bad, but I’m also a little proud of myself for channeling my inner Sadie and verbalizing my discomfort.
I am a little hungry, starving actually, but I felt like I couldn’t bother him while he’s doing such important work.
And perhaps the thought of enjoying a meal together is what also held me off from going through a stranger’s kitchen cupboards by myself. I’m a guest after all, not a resident.
I spent most of the day outside just basking in the beauty of the forest, taking in all the sights and smells and sounds, memorizing it for when I’ll be able to paint it with thread. But I did keep an eye on the house in case Adelbert took a break. My plan was to join him for lunch.
