Ever Bound by Odessa Gillespie Black Read Free Book Online Page B

doing.
    “I’m very glad you were here. I don’t know what we’d do without your family. I want to apologize for any inconvenience Grace’s actions may have caused. I know that had to be upsetting.” Her eyes looked odd as she spoke to me.
    Behind Mrs. Rollins, a lady I’d never seen before, stepped into view. She didn’t wear a uniform as the other housemaids were required. Her gray and white dress was plainer than Mrs. Rollins but not by much. “Many apologies for the interruption, Mrs. Rollins, but I think Grace may need your assistance upstairs.”
    Mrs. Rollins nodded and as the woman backed into the shadows, a smile that didn’t meet her eyes sent an unsettling shiver through me. The woman winked and turned to disappear into the recesses of the house.
    Mrs. Rollins checked over her shoulder. “One more thing. Did you see anything else last night? Anything out of sorts? I mean, besides the fact that my daughter went completely insane?”
    Still addled by the woman, my voice shook. “I’m not sure what you’re asking of me.”
    “You’ve spent more time with her than anyone.” She paused, her searing gaze pleading with me. “Not that you wanted to. I know the time was mostly spent avoiding her. She has a way of getting what she wants. I just…”
    Annabeth appeared in the doorway with purple circles under her eyes. Without a word, she passed me.
    “I think Grace needs help if that’s what you’re asking.” I looked over my shoulder to Annabeth. “May I be excused.”
    Mrs. Rollins nodded and her voice shook. “She’s all I have left.”
    For a minute, I wondered if Mrs. Rollins sanity wasn’t at stake too. “I’ll watch over her, if that’s what you need.”
    “Please. Do.” Mrs. Rollins patted my arm.
    * * * *
    That day at school, either no one had heard of the Rollins incident, or they were too afraid to speak of it. Without Grace in the midst of the class, it was an uneventful day, other than Drew’s incessant attempts to send notes to Annabeth.
    Without unfolding them, she sent them back.
    I dipped my head and couldn’t help but laugh.
    He deserved her rejection.
    When we finally left our desks, I caught up to Annabeth. “Hey, wait up.”
    Drew gave me an incensed scowl as I moved to the spot he normally took beside her.
    I gently took Annabeth’s arm. “Can we talk in private?”
    Drew held up his hands. “I’ll meet you in a few minutes. We need to talk too.”
    Annabeth sighed, exhaustion sagging her shoulders.
    “Who is the woman at your house, helping you with Grace?” I wasted no time.
    Annabeth tilted her head thoughtfully. “There are a lot of servants.”
    “This woman gave me the oddest feeling this morning. She came out right after you.”
    “Oh, you mean the tailor. She’s a woman Mama hired to do odds and ends at the house as well as sewing our dresses.” Annabeth kept her gaze straight ahead as she held her speller close.
    “Well, she’s strange. You should probably keep your eye on her. An older woman winking at someone who could be her grandson… I don’t know.”
    “You can’t keep the ladies from flirting with you, huh. My sister is so nuts over you she’s killing chickens. Next, you’ll have the house maids following suit.” Annabeth kept her gaze on the path.
    “Whoa. Surely you don’t blame me for all this?”
    She sighed. “Of course not. I’m just tired. Tired of her, tired of life at that house, tired of…everything.”
    “I did all I could to make her understand I didn’t feel the same way. I can’t help how she acts out.” The nerve!
    “I didn’t mean it. I’m just… Do you know the real reason she’s so set on you, Colby?” Annabeth finally met my gaze. She stopped, forcing me to do the same.
    We stood in the lane, staring at each other.
    “There are over forty rooms in that house. She wants my bedroom. There are over forty beds. Mine’s probably better. Because it’s mine. Any dresses I have made, she thinks are better