Not so Wicked by Clee Adele

Author:Clee, Adele
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

She missed him.

How was it possible after a week of marriage?

Still, she had grown accustomed to sleeping next to his warm body in bed. Longed to hear the deep timbre of his voice. Smell his tantalising cologne. Feel his tender touch.

Devon had left without explaining why he had business in Aylesbury, who he planned to meet, or why she could not accompany him on the long journey.

The house felt cold and empty without him. Mina had eaten supper alone, as she had done so many times she should be used to the silence. As she undressed for bed, she conjured an image of him leaning against the jamb, his dark eyes glinting with the promise of something illicit. Tried to tell herself all was well.

Then her maid uttered the comment that pierced her heart like a barbed arrow. That made her doubt her husband’s word.

“Don’t be upset, miss—” Daisy still hadn’t come to terms with the fact Mina was married. “Happen he’s gone to tell her he can’t see her no more, that’s all.”

“I beg your pardon?” Her heart sank like a brick in a well.

“The lady Mr Masters meets every Thursday.”

Even now, an hour later, as Mina held the lit candle against the row of volumes in the bookcase and studied the spines, her stomach tied itself up in knots.

Honesty is a rare quality, Miss Stanford.

Yes, a quality her husband lacked.

The flame flickered in the darkness as her hand shook with barely contained rage and … and shame for being such a love-sick fool.

It wasn’t love, not yet, but as one nurtured and tended a new rose, she had hoped their feelings would bloom into something strong and lasting, something beautiful and—

The library door creaked open.

And her heart nearly burst through her ribcage.

“You’ll stay in here tonight,” Bates said sharply. “How’s a man to sleep with the constant chatter?” He looked up from the object he carried—the parrot’s cage covered with a dark blanket—and jumped in fright. “Mrs Masters. Forgive me. I didn’t know you were up.” His tone always hinted at annoyance, like she had chained herself to his master’s leg, a permanent shackle.

“I couldn’t sleep and thought to read for a while.”

“If you wanted a book, you should have rung for Daisy.”

“I’ll not disturb her at this late hour.” She glanced at the cage. “What do you have there, Bates?”

Before the butler answered, Miss Marmalade chirped, “Bates drinks the master’s brandy. Bates drinks the master’s brandy.”

The servant’s eyes widened in horror. “It’s the parrot, ma’am. She keeps the staff awake with her constant chatter, and we are all desperate for a decent night’s sleep.”

Mina knew firsthand how annoying the bird could be. “As I’m on my own tonight, she can remain upstairs with me.”

What would it matter? She wouldn’t sleep until Devon got home, and then she planned to confront him about his trip to Aylesbury.

“I’ll not have you disturbed, ma’am, not with the master away.”

Mina saw an opening to ask the question that had been burning in her mind for the last hour.

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