Meg #2
But Mom had said the humans liked to ban things they didn’t believe in, so I guess that extended to books too. Still, the titles on the shelf had enough spice to keep a woman warm and entertained for a while.
My gaze was direct when I looked back over my shoulder, seeing the strict housemaid in a new and wanton light. “These are some of my favorites.”
“Wonderful.” Katrina beamed. “I’ll send up tea and make sure you have ample warning before dinner so you can find a good stopping point.”
I knew my fated mate was here, but I think I was falling in love with the housemaid.
What can I say? She had great taste in books.
“Can I take these to my room?” I started pulling titles from the shelf.
“Of course,” she said. “No one comes in here much. You’d be helping me knock the dust off.”
I smiled to myself at her dirty innuendo, surprised to find a real character underneath her prim and proper attire. But I knew better than to judge a book by the cover.
Speaking of books… “Wait. Does Roman not read?”
“Roman?” Her brow creased again. “I think he does read. But the councilwoman and her son rarely come into this part of the house. They aren’t home much during the day.”
I figured as much. The house seemed so cold and empty—no shame to Katrina’s immaculate care—and it would explain why I didn’t smell them here.
Katrina left me at my room and I wasted no time in diving into a novel, wondering if I could finish it before dinner. I wasn’t ashamed to admit to myself that I used reading to feel a sense of accomplishment when my hands felt idle and my brain raced too much.
Nothing quieted the chaos of the world like a good story could do.
And the male main character in this one was freaking hot.
The knock at the door seemed to come in no time at all and I groaned as I forced myself to set down the book before I got to the climax.
“Apologies.” Katrina greeted me. “Dinner is in an hour. I figured you’d want time to freshen up.”
I glanced down at my wrinkled outfit, noticing how feral I looked compared to her pressed apron and skirts.
“I took the liberty of finding you some clothes that might fit.” She opened the door wider, pulling a rolling hanger cart. “No need to wear them if you don’t want, but I wasn’t sure if your suitcase had been unpacked yet.”
“Did anyone ever tell you you’re amazing?” I pulled her in for a hug. The woman tensed under my arms, but she relaxed just a fraction before awkwardly patting my back.
I caught that scent again, a faint hint of magic.
She was hiding something.
Her face gave nothing away as she stepped from my embrace. “Might I suggest the yellow dress? It’ll complement your tanned skin.”
“You’re my fairy godmother.” I went straight for her choice.
We should keep her. She’s great.
“Dinner is in the formal dining hall. If you walk downstairs, Stephen, the butler, will have the doors open. Or I can return to escort you in an hour.” Katrina was all business again as she backed out of my room.
“No need.” I winked, touching the side of my nose. “I’ll just follow the smell of food.”
I swear I saw her smile.
*
The pale yellow dress wasn’t something I’d ever pick out for myself, but Katrina had a good eye.
It did look pretty against my skin, complementing my darker brown hair and brown eyes.
Dressing up wasn’t something I did much of.
My sisters were more into clothes. Being an alpha wolf, I stayed in fur more often than human skin.
But I couldn’t wait for Roman to see me in this dress. I took one last look at the stack of romance novels on the nightstand before steeling myself to head downstairs.
It was time to write my own romance story.
Damn straight. Let’s get our man.
As I told Katrina, it was easy to find the dining room. My stomach was eating itself and my nose led me straight to the food. But my excitement waned when I realized the table was empty.
A middle-aged man, dressed in a suitcoat similar to the style and crisp white of Katrina’s outfit, was busy setting up the side table with serving trays.
“You must be Stephen.” I took a step back, almost colliding with Katrina, who carried in a bucket of ice and bottle of wine.
“At your service.” The butler bowed.
“My apologies,” I said. “I must be early.”
“No, Miss Meg. You’re right on time.” Katrina offered a tense smile. “I’m sorry that your hosts are late. Please take a seat. Would you like some wine?”
I didn’t want to sit, not when everyone else was working. It felt strange to have them wait on me.
“Here,” I offered. “Let me help.”
“You’ll do no such thing.” Helen’s voice was jarring and sharp as she entered the dining room. “They’re paid to do this. You’re our guest.”
I slowly took a seat and pulled the napkin to my lap, feeling chastised and not quite sure why.
From her? She doesn’t have any meat on her bones.
Yeah, but she’s Roman’s mom.
“Have you been waiting long?” Helen sat too, taking the offered glass of wine that Katrina had poured without a sound.
“Not for too long,” I said, frowning as Helen dismissed Katrina with no more than a wave of her hand.
“I trust my staff has taken care of you and that you had a relaxing afternoon,” Helen said.
It didn’t sound like a question, but I nodded anyway. “Thank you for your hospitality.” I’d directed that gratitude in Katrina’s direction, but she had her back to me.
“Of course.” Helen raised her wine glass. “Who would I be if I didn’t treat my new daughter-in-law well?”
She stared at me as she finished the wine in a single swallow.
Katrina rushed to refill it, already waiting with the bottle of wine.
“This is a lot… For everyone,” I said slowly. “But I have a feeling it was meant to be.”
“Meant to be.” Helen’s red-painted fingernails tightened around the goblet stem. “How fortunate for us all that you think so positively.”
Don’t… My wolf warned.
I gripped the napkin on my lap, seconds away from putting it back onto the table. “Have I offended you in some way, Councilwoman Troy?”
“Offended?” She blinked. “Science no. Whatever gave you that idea? I find you, and our differences in culture, quite fascinating.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling small for some reason. Like I’d misread all the signs.
You didn’t. My wolf growled.
“Dinner is served,” Stephen broke the awkward silence as he placed a tray in front of Helen.
“Thank you,” I spoke for both of us when he set a plate down for me.
Cut squares of some sort of cheese that had gone bad sat on top of a pile of weeds with a drizzle of something orange.
I sniffed, trying to be discreet about it.
“Charred tofu on arugula with a mango demi-glaze,” Stephen explained as if he could see the confusion on my face.
Tofu? Is that prey?
Cultural differences.
“It looks delicious.” I smiled at Stephen.
He bowed. “I’ll pass your compliments to the chef.”
I wasn’t sure what chef would pass this off as food. It was barely large enough to feed a mouse. But I’d just get used to it. For my mate, I could do this.
I turned my smile toward Helen. “I thought Roman would be joining us tonight.”
“Roman?” She laughed over the rim of her wineglass, not bothering to touch her food. “Why would you think that?”
I motioned to the third place setting. “I’m eager to speak with him again.”
Helen arched an eyebrow. “Are you? And why is that?”
“The marriage…” I started, confused. “We should talk about our future. There are some things he should know—”
The sound of the front door slamming had me pushing back my chair, ready to protect Helen and her staff from an intruder as something loud crashed in the hall.
He’s here. My wolf’s tail wagged when the scent of leathery spice filled the air. Her nostrils wrinkled as she sniffed something else, putrid like vomit.
Roman stepped around the corner, holding up another man. Whereas Roman was tall and proud with dark hair and broad shoulders, the other man was lithe like a dancer with windswept golden hair and a jester’s grin that split his face in two as he clung to my mate.
My heart beat quicker at seeing Roman again so soon, and I forced myself to stay seated, resisting the urge to stand and help him with whoever this drunk-smelling fool was.
“Roman, we were just speaking about you.” Amusement laced the councilwoman’s tone. “Thank you for finding my wayward son and bringing him home. Justus, darling, come meet your new bride.”