A Pirate's Wife for Me by Christina Dodd

Author:Christina Dodd [Dodd, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Christina Dodd
Published: 2015-02-17T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY

Cate saw heads popping out of the many doorways; her staff had found her.

"Sit here," she told Taran, and helped him into a chair.

He sat, shoulders slumped, knees and ankles together, one hand in his lap, the other in the sling. He looked cowed, as if she regularly beat him. If only he realized how tempted she was…

She swept to the middle of the foyer and clapped her hands. "Come out, please! I wish to meet you all."

It took a moment, but sheepish servants filed into the foyer and lined up in order of rank.

Zelle joined the line at the very end.

Cate doubted Zelle was truly so humble; for all her grime and poverty, intelligence lit her eyes and the other servants treated her with wary respect.

The cook was Signor Marino, a massive Italian of impressive dignity. His staff seemed less cowed than the others; Cate thought she would get along with him.

Harkness did not put in an appearance; Cate heard the occasional snore issuing from the library. She hoped her bonnet had not become his pillow.

Cate did her duty, greeting each one of the servants, learning their names, then giving a lively speech designed to put them at ease and inspire them to work at her bidding. Judging from their shifting gazes and nervous shuffling, she had not succeeded.

She indicated Taran, and told them, "This is Mr. Tamson. He'll be spending most of his time in our bedchamber as he heals from the wounds he garnered fighting in Her Majesty's army."

"Her Majesty?" Gracia, a petite chambermaid of perhaps sixteen years, scratched her head. "Has Her Majesty started a war to save us at last?"

"Not our majesty, stupid." The lad next to her, obviously her brother, Gillies, pulled at her brown hair. "Mrs. Tamson is talking about Queen Victoria of England. She's a real queen. She takes care of her subjects."

"I'm sure better times are coming for Cenorina," Cate said crisply. The Cenorinian queen had obviously alienated her subjects and Cate thought it would be difficult for the royal family to regain its position. But that part of the mission would occur after Cate's departure. For now, she would concentrate on locating those papers. "It's late and we've journeyed far. I would like to see the housekeeper's bedchamber."

Gracia stumbled forward, propelled, Cate was sure, by her brother's hand. A fierce blush rose in her brown-freckled cheeks, as she curtsied. "Please, ma'am, allow me."

"Thank you, Gracia." Cate pointed to Gillies. "You may bring up my trunk and Mr. Tamson's bag." That would teach him to torment his sister.

Gracia's wide smile offered thanks. Like all the servants, she was dressed in proper, humble, black garb. But also like all the servants, her clothing was old and worn, her white apron permanently stained at the knees.

As she approached, Taran stood, and knocked the chair sideways with a teeth-jarring rattle.

Gracia seemed unfazed. She stopped beside him and touched his shoulder. "If you'll follow me, sir, we'll get you to your chamber and you can rest.

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