Page 41 of Slippers and Thorns
“Fine,” Ella grumped. “I’ll do it.”
CHAPTER 18
Michael
I
decided to go with the red,” Lady Charlotte said, combing her brunette hair with her fingers. “I think it will set off my eyes the best.”
“I am sure you will look stunning,” Michael replied gallantly. He was only half listening, as he knew little to nothing about dresses and cared even less. As long as she didn’t look horrible, what did he care about the process of obtaining her wardrobe?
“Oh, but are you sure you wouldn’t prefer the blue?” his companion pressed as they ambled along the hallway. “I’m sure I’ve heard you shower compliments on blue dresses before.”
This was quite true. As Arabella was fond of blue, she often wore the color, and Michael had frequently lavished praise on her attire while admiring her general appearance. Before, when he still believed she loved him.
Either not noticing his silence or deciding not to comment on it, Lady Charlotte continued after a few beats. “I suppose I will see you at Lord Percival’s wedding? It will give you the opportunity to view the result yourself.” She looked up at him coyly through her eyelashes.
At times, Michael questioned his sanity for choosing to revenge himself on Arabella by spending time with a noblewoman. Lady Charlotte was better than most, but he didn’t pay her much attentionbeforehis wedding for a reason. Her behavior towards him – a married man – even though he began the questionable relationship, added to his assurance thatnotmarrying her had been the correct choice. If she respected his marriage so little, why should he believe that she would respect it more if it were hers? He didn’t always regret her company, but when she looked at him like that, he wished himself far away.
“I believe Arabella and I will be in attendance, yes,” he calmly replied. He knew he was sending mixed signals, but he didn’t want to irrevocably entangle himself with the woman on his arm, regardless of what he decided to do about Arabella. Therefore, a subtle reminder of his marital status seemed to be in order. He smothered a smirk when she blushed and dropped her eyes.
“I believe I will take my leave, Your Highness,” she murmured, withdrawing her hand from his arm. “It was kind of you to walk me to my room, but I am sure you have more important things to do, so I will continue alone. Good night.”
He gave her a slight bow in response to her curtsy. “Good night, milady.”
After watching her mince down the hallway for a few moments, Michael dragged his feet in the direction of his quarters. The downside to chasing Lady Charlotte off was that now, he was alone. A few months ago, if he had actually had unscheduled time in the evening, he would have dropped by Arabella’s door to suggest a walk in the gardens or that they spend some quality time together behind closed doors.
Now, that was out of the question. For multiple reasons.
With a sigh, he entered his sitting room and crossed to the window to stare out at the darkening sky. A servant was walking through the gardens lighting the lamps for those who wished to enjoy the manicured nature under the stars. It was a beautiful night for it, too…if he had someone to enjoy it with.
If only Helena had survived. Then he would have married her, the last few months would never have happened, and they could be together under the stars right now.
Turning, he strode to his wardrobe to retrieve his night clothes. He would read for a bit, then go to bed early; his nights had been short lately.
When he opened the door, he paused. Normally, the servant who brought his clothes from the laundry simply hung them wherever they fit within the clothing type. Tonight, though, they were sorted by color. Not that he had a wide variety of colors, of course. But sorted they still were.
Shaking his head, he grabbed what he needed and headed towards the bookshelf. His mirror caught his eye as he walked past. He moved closer to examine it. For weeks, there had been a smear on the lower-right corner that reflected the firelight strangely, which no one seemed able to clean off.
Yet tonight, it was gone.
Continuing to his bookshelf, he began to peruse the titles for something to read when he realized with surprise that they were no longer in the haphazard non-order he usually kept them in. Rather than leaning against each other across gaps or sitting stacked on shelves and on the tops of other books, the books were not only all sitting properly on the shelves but were arranged in alphabetical order by author last name.
Did they assign a new maid to my quarters?Michael wondered as he made his selection and headed towards his bed. She would appear to be surprisingly diligent.
When he reached his bed, he saw something on the pillows. It was a folded letter sitting on top of something wrapped in crumpled white paper.
He dumped his clothes and book on the bed, picked up the letter, and unfolded it.
Michael,
I didn’t betray you, which I could tell you if you would just listen for a minute.
I bought you something at the market. I hope you like it.
Love, Ella
He made a small noise of understanding in his throat. That explained the state of his rooms – Arabella must have cleaned when she came in to drop off the letter and package. When they were first married and she actually spent time in his quarters, she had organized his things. He had to admit, it had been much easier to find a book when she had been keeping his personal bookshelf arranged.
