In Rapture (Destined) by Elissa Daye Read Free Book Online Page A

throat.
    “It’s
just a little dirt, dear heart. A little dirt never hurt anything.” Malinda brushed
some of the dirt away from the little dress and helped Sophia to stand. “There,
all right now?” The way that the somber child looked up at her when she
realized she would not get in trouble for dirtying her little frock was almost
too painful to bear. Malinda certainly had her work cut out for her if she were
to help this child get over the pain and fear she had hidden deep inside her.
Malinda would do whatever it took.
    “Sophia,
let’s go inside and wash up. I’m sure we’ll get the rest of the dirt right out.”
When they entered the manor, Malinda found a maid to assist Sophia to her room
and to help her get cleaned up, and reassured Sophia that she would still be there
when she woke up from her nap. Malinda watched the little girl as her bottom
lip trembled ever so slightly. Malinda bent down to open her arms and was
delighted that Sophia ran into them so easily for a warm hug. She did not miss
the look of amazement that came over the maid’s face when Sophia hugged her. It
was clear that no one had seen the little miss trust anyone as easily as she
did Malinda. To Malinda it seemed only natural that the little girl would feel
comfortable around her. She was every much as afraid and alone as most
motherless animals had been, the same animals she had loved dearly and cared
for from the moment she saw them. This little girl had already carved a spot in
her heart that was irreplaceable.
    Before
the maid left with Sophia, Malinda called out to her. “Excuse me?”
    “Yes,
my lady?” The tiny blonde haired maid turned right away to her.
    “What
is your name?”
    “Desiree,
my lady.”
    Desiree
curtsied low to her and Malinda tried to shirk off the discomfort with her
newly found title, but knew that she would have to learn to accept it. “Desiree,
what are your duties here?”
    “I
help change the beds, fold the linens, do general cleaning as needed.” Her eyes
became worried, as if she feared she had done something wrong.
    “Desiree,
would you do me the honor of assisting with Sophia’s needs until we can find a
proper nursemaid for her? I’m afraid it may take a while, for we’ll not have
anyone like Ms. Everheart here again. I’ll expect to meet with you later, to
discuss her daily schedule and find out just what it was that Ms. Everheart did
for Miss Sophia.”
    “Yes,
my lady.” The bright smile that lit up Desiree’s face would have been answer
enough. It was clear that the people at Wickford Manor cared deeply for the
child, whether they had been encouraged to or not. It made Malinda feel a
little more at peace, that perhaps she would one day relate easily to the
people there. It would still take Malinda time to get used to her role at
Wickford Manor, especially since she had still not met her husband. She almost
dreaded their first encounter for she did not know how she would be able to talk
to him respectfully, considering the lack of care or respect his daughter had
been given.
    After
a long day Malinda had accomplished many things. She had learned that the cook,
Gertie, had a weekly menu and that Malinda was expected to approve the meals. The
three maids were expected to clean the whole manor, from top to bottom, on a
regular basis. Their work was checked over by Sara Hargrove and, now that she
had asked Desiree to assist with Sophia, this would make more work for the
other two. Sara Hargrove was the main housekeeper who helped to make sure the
manor was run correctly and had assured her that they would make do without
Desiree until a new nursemaid could be found. Malinda made sure that Sara knew
that just because there was a lady of the manor, that it did not mean she would
lose her position in the household. Malinda would desperately need the help
with keeping the large manor running, especially considering she had very few
rooms and people to manage when she had lived at Tinley Faire.