'Till Time Do Us Part by Stella May

Author:Stella May
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stella May
Published: 2021-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A knock at the door pulled Nika from a deep slumber. She was amazed she fell asleep after her earlier debacle with Elijah Coleman in the garden. But as soon as she entered her room and sat on the bed, she dropped dead to the world. How long was she out? Panicked, she shot up straight, disoriented, and listened again. Yes, it was definitely a knock at the door. Groggy, she managed to croak, “Y-yes, come in”, then cleared her throat and repeated again, louder, “Come in.”

If Nika ever wondered what ‘heart in a throat’ meant, she had her answer.

As soon as the door opened, she let go her breath. Abby poked in her head, and then entered the room, trailed by her maid, Claudine.

“Did you have a nice nap, Nick?”

“Ah, yes, thank you.” Nika rubbed her face, then ran both hands through her hair. Since her fingers got immediately tangled up, she surmised that her curls went on strike without their usual high-maintenance treatment.

Tough. No Wen moisturizer mist for you, my pretties.

Nika slid out of bed, rotating her shoulders and neck. The pillow was much softer than the one she had at home, and it gave her a muscle ache. God forbid, she developed a neck creak. That was the last thing she needed. Her attention switched to Claudine holding clothes in her hands.

“What’s that?” Nika asked the French girl.

“Why, your wardrobe, of course,” Abby said. “We couldn’t acquire anything new or made for you on a such a short notice, but, thankfully, Mrs. Smith has a nephew your age and build, so she lent us some of his clothes until we can properly dress you, my dear. I also must apologize as there are no men’s shoes in the house small enough for you.”

“But...but,” Nika sputtered, amused and annoyed at the same time. “I can’t possibly—”

“You can and you will, Nick. Look at you.” Abby flicked her hand at Nika’s legs. “Your pants have more holes than fabric. You must be very uncomfortable and cold.”

Nika swallowed her laughter. Abby would never believe Nika’s designer ripped jeans cost more than Abby’s perfectly tailored dress.

“And it’s unseemly to wear the same clothes day in and out.” Abby laid out socks and toiletries on the bed. “Claudine, please hang Nick’s wardrobe, such as it is, properly, and leave the undergarments on the dresser for him to deal with as he feels best.”

“Oh, you don’t have to,” Nika mumbled and unsure of just what was happening.

The French girl curtsied smartly to Abby and went about her business, ignoring Nika completely.

“She doesn’t have to,” Nika protested, turning to Abby. “I’m quite capable of doing it myself.”

“Of course you are, Nick.” Abby smiled as if she were indulging a small child. “But you don’t have to. Claudine is already here and more than happy to help you. Right, Claudine?”

“Oui, mademoiselle.” And the maid curtsied again.

Abby turned to Nika grinning from ear to ear. Obviously, she was accustomed to her orders carried out, no matter how silly they were.

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