Missing Lily (Tales of Dalthia) by Annette K. Larsen Read Free Book Online

knowing one’s limits. I smiled and agreed, then happily joined her in the kitchen, where she worked and I sat still in a comfortable chair by the fire.
    “Why the master let you go at all, I’ll never know.”
    I smiled to myself. “It wasn’t really the master’s decision, now was it?” She looked at me sideways. “My anxiety over returning home has made me rash in my decision making. It’s my own fault.”
    She came over, squeezing my shoulder and kissing the top of my head. “You’re entitled to a bit of anxiety, little one.” I closed my eyes, reveling in the comfort as she rested her cheek in my hair.
    “They’ll be so worried,” I whispered.
    “Yes,” she conceded. “But as soon as you return, they’ll be able to let their worry go, knowing you were safe and unharmed.”
    I nodded. It wouldn’t be the way it was with Ella. Ella had returned from her abduction frightened and in pain. The bandages on her wrists had been like shackles, chaining her to the memories of her ordeal. It wasn’t until months later that I found out much of her pain was from anger, and even more came from an inability to share her burden with anyone.  
    I would be able to look back on my memories of this time with fondness. For me it would be an adventure, not an ordeal. I would cherish the time spent with these people, socializing without an audience.
    Rosamond regaled me with stories of her children. Her oldest was a daughter, followed by four sons. All were married and she didn’t see them as much as she would like. They had all grown up in the cottage that sat on the other side of the pond. She and Giles had moved into the main house when Lord and Lady Fallon had passed away.
    “It must have been especially lonely for him,” I observed. “Being all alone in the house.”
    “Hm.” Rosamond’s response was noncommittal and less talkative than I was used to. I was curious at her reticence until Rhys walked in. Perhaps she heard him coming and didn’t want to be caught speaking of him.
    “Rose,” he greeted as he walked past her.
    “Your Lordship,” she said with a small curtsey.
    He approached my chair. “Has Rosamond taken sufficient care of you?”
    “Of course.”
    “And you’re feeling better?” he asked as his eyes travelled down to my feet, which were propped on a foot stool. I was reclining in a most undignified manner. I considered changing my posture, but decided it would be useless at this point.
    “Much, thank you. I’ve been still just like Rosamond advised.”
    “She usually knows best.” He turned to the fire and stoked it up a bit more. It was unnecessary, but comforting nonetheless.
    “Dinner will be served shortly, Your Lordship.” We both turned to Rosamond, who had her eyes focused on her work. “If you’d lend an arm to the little one, now would be a good time to freshen up.”
    “I’m sure our guest doesn’t require freshening, but if you’d like us to get out of your way, I’m sure we could go through the motions.” He reached down and took both my hands in his, waiting for me to set my feet on the ground before pulling me up.
    As we walked up the stairs, he jokingly commented, “Sometimes I’m not sure who is master in this house, me or her.”
    I laughed. “I suppose her mother’s instinct can’t be stifled simply because her own children have gone away.” He didn’t respond. “Does it bother you?” I asked, thinking of the moods his grooms had referred to.
    “No. I just hope that her actions do stem from her mother’s instinct rather than her perception that I am incapable.”
    “It’s obvious that you are capable.”
    He stopped, looking at me. “Is it?”
    “Yes.”
    He breathed out and kept walking, lost in thought.  
    We stopped before my door. “This is a worry for you?” I asked.
    His smile was halfhearted. “One of a great many.” He took a step back. “I’ll see you downstairs.” I leaned on the wall, watching him walk away, his hands