Page 78 of Wicked Allure
She immediately thought of her grandmother’s cooking and knew she’d be unable to go without Delonda Clay’s feasts. She smirked at the thought.
“Good morning, Miss Clay,” a young woman said as she stepped out of the house and advanced. She had a warm smile on her lips and a tray balanced on her arm. “My name is Janet, and I shall be serving you.”
“Thank you.” Tomesha’s gaze went to the tray. Her stomach grumbled.
Janet set a basket with warm biscuits in front of her along with fresh fruit, a plate with eggs, thick slices of bacon, and a bowl filled with grits. Tomesha eyed the entire spread, thrilled.
“Oh my. This all looks so wonderful.”
“I’m happy you’re pleased. Here is jam for the bread, and would you like coffee, tea, or juice?”
“Coffee, please. Can I have cream and sugar with it?” Tomesha’s sat up straight and tried to remember her manners. She didn’t want to dive right into the food as if she had no home training.
“Of course. I’ll be right back.” Janet nodded and spun on her heel. She disappeared into the inn.
Tomesha didn’t waste any time diving in. She buttered her first biscuit and slathered a healthy amount of jam on it. She bit back a groan at the taste exploding on her tongue. She doctored up her grits just the way she liked them then dove into them as well.
She almost didn’t hear Janet return with her coffee. She set it down and left. Not needing anything else, Tomesha focused on her meal while the warrior remained at his post. The veranda was hushed but for the clink of silver against porcelain as Tomesha feasted. Everything was decadent, but something about the silence caused her to still.
There was no longer birdsong or the rustle of air. It was as if everything had stilled. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. Tomesha paused, her fork hovering midair. She was certain she was no longer alone with the guard. She glanced over at the warrior whose gaze remained straight ahead.
He wasn’t watching her, so that couldn’t be the creepy feeling she was getting.
She took the waiting bite of food and slowly chewed. She placed her fork down and reached for her coffee. She sipped and tried to appear normal. Her gaze swept the length of the veranda, then the area beyond the railings and out into the picture-perfect yard. Something beyond her sight, someone lingered out there.
Someone who was allowing her to notice them.
How she knew this, she was unsure. An unsettled feeling rested in the pit of her stomach.
“Um, guard,” Tomesha whispered. She held on to her coffee mug to have something in her hands.
“Yes, my lady?” His deep voice broke the silence.
She glanced away from the yard and looked over at him. “Am I crazy? I feel as if we’re not alone.”
His attention moved to the yard, and he nodded. “We are, my lady.”
She bit her lip and turned back to her feast. She suddenly no longer had an appetite. Someone had been out there. She was quite sure of it. Her focus lingered on an area near a small group of trees, and the feeling returned to her.
Someone was watching them.
Tomesha jumped at the sound of the doors opening. She spun in her chair and took in Dru stepping through the doors. Relief immediately filled her.
“How’s your breakfast?” Dru asked. Her intense eyes watched Tomesha as she strode forward. They narrowed on her, and the smile that had been on her lips disappeared. “What is the matter, miere?”
Tomesha glanced down nervously. Maybe it had all been in her head. The guard certainly would have picked up on things before her had someone been out there watching her. He was a trained warrior, she was just a regular human with no fighting skills.
“The breakfast is fine. Everything is fine.” She tried to offer a smile.
But Dru didn’t relax. She continued to study Tomesha.
Tomesha waved a hand to the chair. “Please join me.”
“What is the matter?” Dru asked again. This time her voice held a sharp edge to it.
Tomesha sighed, flicking her gaze back out to the yard. A determined glint flickered in Dru’s eyes. She might as well tell her. If she said it was nothing, then it had to be all in Tomesha’s head.
“I…um…this may sound silly, but I feel as if someone was watching me,” Tomesha admitted. She placed her porcelain mug on the table.
