A Grimm Legacy by Janna Jennings

Author:Janna Jennings
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Published: 2014-01-20T00:00:00+00:00

Andi awoke as the sunlight tracked across the room from her tiny window, landing on her makeshift bed. She looked out the window with alarm. She didn't know exactly how late it was, but she knew it was too late for Lady Wellington to allow her to sleep. Had they been calling for her and she hadn't heard?

She threw on her filthy dress from the day before and, making sure the false invitation was tucked in her pocket, took the stairs two at a time. She pushed at the door at the top of the stairs, but it didn’t budge. Wondering if she was making a mistake, she banged on it with her fist and waited.

A key twisted in the lock, the bolt clicked, and one of the kitchen maids swung the door open, and darting away without a word. Andi slipped into the room. It was deserted, but the hum of activity came from behind the kitchen door.

"And where have you been, girly?" Ann glared at her over the bread dough she was kneading but failed to make Andi believe she was angry.

"Why didn't anyone wake me? Where is everybody?" Andi turned in a bewildered circle.

"They're sleeping,” Ann said shortly.

"Still?" Andi squinted out of the window at the bright sun, climbing still higher in the sky. "Are they feeling okay?"

Ann beat the dough into conformity. "Couldn't say, although I'm not one to be questioning the small miracles that come my way. Their sleep does seem unnatural, if you ask me. Like someone slipped them a pill or a potion." Ann looked up from her dough and raised her eyebrows, waiting.

Andi brought her eyebrows together, confused.

Ann just said gruffly, "You may as well sit down and have a proper breakfast while you can."

She nodded to the stove and Andi helped herself to a heaping bowl of mush she supposed was porridge. With a little cream and a few strawberries Ann smuggled her from the garden, it was heavenly.

A faint pounding sounded through the house just as she finished breakfast. She froze and listened, like a frightened deer. The pounding came again, and this time she was positive it was from the front door. She launched herself out of her seat, knocking it over, and shot out of the kitchen, nearly careening into one of the other servants yelling, "I've got it!"

Andi yanked open the door, startling a young man in fancy livery bearing a crest matching the one on the fake invitation.

The stranger collected himself, straightened the short red jacket he wore and asked, "Is the lady of the house home?"

"Sorry," Andi replied a bit breathless. She took a deep breath, trying to slow down and calm her nerves. "That is, she’s still asleep. Can I give her a message?"

The young man handed over an envelope identical to the one Quinn gave her last night with a flourish. "Please see she receives this as soon as possible." With a sharp bow, he turned on his heel and was gone.

Andi whipped

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