“Thank you, Mr. Jones, this looks great, berry jam is my favourite,” she smiled kindly at him. He nodded and turned to leave, “hey, what are you doing today? Would you like to join me for breakfast?” She asked. The lonesome man never seemed to interact much, and there was no other staff on-site, as far as she was aware.
He turned with a frown.
“Lord Nightingale wishes for me to take a few days as rest. I will do as he instructed and return to my quarters. Good day, Miss. Daxton.”
“Oh, OK. Well, enjoy your time off,” she called out awkwardly as he shuffled his way down the stairwell.
Katherine suspected there was something not quite right about Mr. Jones. He was monosyllabic, never spoke to her unless he was working, and was hardly ever around. He always felt a little vacant. Katherine wondered if he were under some kind of spell. He called Lucian, ‘master’, which was beyond strange. Then again, perhaps the gentleman had some form of autism and struggled when interacting with others. Katherine reminded herself to be kind and patient with him. He seemed content enough in his position, perhaps she would ask Lucian more about him later that evening when they’d have dinner.
She stepped back into her room and set down her breakfast tray. The rose, took pride of place next to the other blooms in the vase, the white roses had been refreshed but she’d kept her growing collection of colourful flowers. She couldn’t wait to ask Lucian what the meaning was behind today’s flower, especially as it had changed her opinion on the colour. Sure, she could easily look it up for herself online, but she liked finding out from him.
She sat down on the chaise and took a bite out of her toast, turning the car keys over in her hand, the fancy logo shined on the key fob.
What are you up to, Lucian Nightingale? She pondered.
She slid her finger along the fold in the letter, snapping the wax seal, and sought her answer. She nearly choked on her toast as she read his words.
Dearest Katherine,
I understand your presentation is today. Please take the vehicle parked out the front of the mansion, there is money within the glove box, should you need to stop for gas.
Please return to Tumbricane tomorrow, do not rush to make the journey tonight after your presentation; I do not wish for you to drive tired.
Good luck with your presentation, please know that you have my absolute confidence in your ability to ‘smash it’.
Yours,
Lucian
Katherine re-read the letter again. Then once more just to be certain.
She couldn’t believe it, he was letting her go. Well, temporarily. He expected her to come back but he was letting her leave. Not only that, he was loaning her a car and money so she could make the journey. Happiness and excitement buzzed within her before a slither of doubt crept in. Lucian must have an ulterior motive. Perhaps this was some kind of test, a trap he was laying for her to see what she would do if given the option to leave. What would happen if she got in the car? Would he bring her back again and this time lock her in a dungeon for real?
She shook the ridiculous notion from her head. Lucian had been nothing but encouraging and gentlemanly since her arrival. He had also promised her honesty.
With a deep breath, she made her decision. She would trust him.
She finished her berry jam toast and juice in record time and quickly packed a bag. With everything she needed for her presentation and a night stay back at her apartment, she headed for the door. Katherine stopped and rushed quickly back to the desk, penning Lucian a quick note and propping it up against her roses, ready for him to find, suspecting that he would come by her room to check she had left.
Lucian,
Thank you, I’ll see you soon.
Katherine, X
She looked at the little cross and frowned, it didn’t quite do her feelings justice. She rolled her eyes at herself. It was a thank you note; how much emotion did it need?
With a happy skip in her step, she hurriedly made her way down into the great hall and then out of the main doors.
A huge, shining black SUV sat proudly on the gravel drive. Katherine’s mouth dropped. This wasn’t just a car, this was a beast of a machine. She climbed up behind the wheel tossing her bag into the passenger seat. She quickly checked the glove box and shut it again immediately. The large wad of bills that had greeted her made her eyes widen. There was enough there to buy another car, not just fill up with gas.
She shook her head and smiled wryly. She suspected that Lucian was someone who always went above and beyond. It made her smile knowing that, for once, someone else was as organized and thorough that her. If not more so. She turned the key in the ignition and let out a small laugh at the way the engine rumbled steadily, she could feel it vibrating beneath her foot on the pedal, slowly she eased her way out of the driveway, careful not to overdo the acceleration on the difficult forest roads.
Katherine glanced down at the clock on the dashboard; in just over five hours' time, she would be back at her apartment. She smiled broadly as she said another silent thank you to Lucian in her head. She would deliver her presentation; no, she would smash it, just
