Bound by Fate by Sherilyn Gray Read Free Book Online

sun dipped
behind the mansion, casting a shadow over the entire length of the pasture. I
could see my breath in front of me, but the warmth emanating from the animal
kept me at a pleasant temperature. I became bold enough to nudge Butterscotch
into a trot, and as we sped up, my ponytail came loose and began blowing wildly
about my face. I laughed at the newfound feeling of joy riding on this horse. I
glanced up at the mansion and spotted a figure standing by the window of
Victor’s room. I almost stopped Butterscotch where I was to stare.
     
    “Dove!” I heard Oscar calling out to me. I
steered Butterscotch back towards the stables and after Oscar helped me down I
stood by to watch him brush the horse’s glossy coat.
     
    “Can I ride her again sometime?”
     
    “As long as someone’s here to watch over you.
At least for the next couple of times. I feel like you’re getting the hang of
it quite quickly.”
     
    “Thanks so much for teaching me how to ride.”
     
    “Best be getting back to your room before Mr.
Draper’s guests arrive,” he told me with a wink.
     
    As I walked back to the mansion, I looked
back up at Victor’s window. It didn’t surprise me to see that he wasn’t
standing there watching over me anymore.
     
    People who I assumed were important glided in
and out of the mansion during some of the evenings when Victor hosted parties.
Tonight was the first night I wasn’t too sure of my place in the mansion and
stood downstairs in plain sight staring with open interest as guest after guest
filed through the house. Karen finally spotted me and pulled me away. “You’re
supposed to stay in your room while Mr. Draper holds his parties,” she
admonished me, but not unkindly. “I don’t want you to get in trouble if he sees
you out here!”
     
    I crept up to my room and stayed there for a
few moments until I was sure the coast was clear. I then quietly walked over to
the staircase and remained in the shadows of the hallway as I stared down at
all of the extravagant guests socializing with one another.  The women
wore gorgeous gowns, and had their hair done up beautifully. I touched my own,
long hair, wondering if I could learn how to braid my hair or pull it back into
an intricate bun like some of the women had done with theirs. I watched
enviously as they walked around with ease in heels at least twice the height of
the ones I wore now. Perhaps I could ask Oscar to get me some to practice in.
     
    At one point I spotted Victor down below,
talking to a pretty young woman with golden red hair and porcelain white skin.
I watched enviously as his hand rested on the small of the woman’s back as they
both laughed at some joke I could not hear. What makes you think you will
ever be like that woman? A voice in the back of my mind told me. You
would fall flat on your face before you could even make it down the stairs if
you wore shoes like those.
     
    I hated when my doubt came rearing its ugly
head, but once it did, it was hard to escape from it. I walked back to my room,
deciding I had my fill of tonight’s events.
     
    The next day, as I was dusting off the
sculptures displayed by the grand piano, I heard Victor come in through the
front entrance. As he was taking off his leather jacket—the same one I had worn
when I was taken to this place—he noticed me and walked over to where I was
cleaning. “G-good afternoon,” I said, feeling somewhat nervous at his close
proximity as he stood only a foot away from me. I could smell his cologne and
the aftershave he had used this morning.
     
    “I’ve seen you looking at my art collection,”
he told me.
     
    I looked down at my duster. I was so
helplessly shy around him, no matter how hard I tried not to be. “I enjoy art,”
I told him. “I’ve always been fascinated by it.”
     
    “Can you recognize any of these pieces?”
     
    I quickly looked up, surprised and somewhat
excited that he would ask that question. My shyness suddenly melted