Scold's Claim by Marie Hall

Author:Marie Hall [Hall, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blushing Books Publications
Published: 2017-08-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Io leaned in and pushed the table but it wouldn't budge. Before she could try again, four men came over, lifted the table and moved it to where she'd intended it to be. The whole time shaking their heads at her.

If they were trying to convey they didn't think she'd enough strength to move the great piece of furniture, or if they thought her mad for even trying, she didn't know. All she knew was she'd been at this two hours, and the hall was still in disarray. She needed all the tables taken to the far end of the massive room so they could sweep up the rotten, stinking rushes, and replace them. The hall would be a welcoming place again. As would be the rest of the house.

Io headed to another table but didn't reach it before more men came and carried it away. There might be an advantage to having such a large personal guard. Io felt her lips twitch up. She was sure this wasn't what Xavier intended, but Gunther approved and it wasn't as if the men couldn't drop a table and rush to her aid. This house needed to be set right, in more ways than one.

"They will have the space cleared in short order," Sarah said with a smile as she handed Io a broom.

"Men can be useful," Ruth remarked with a smirk.

"Are we going to be able to find dry rushes to replace these?" Io asked looking around until her eyes fell on Xavier.

"Maybe not, but if we…"

The rest of what Sarah was saying was lost as her heartbeat pick up and a warmth washed over her. Xavier was headed straight for her, a smile on his face and a lightness in his step she knew was because he wanted her in the house, wanted her as mistress. It pleased him to see her fulfilling the duties that were hers. She saw the difference now. Xavier tolerated his mother's actions. It was never his want that woman should have this house. She shouldn't have assumed so much about her husband. She detested when he assumed things about her. She watched now as he stopped to speak with the men trying to stack the tables even tighter so the room was opened as much as it could be. Words were exchanged and then loud laugher echoed around. Xavier didn't laugh like that when Charlotte was around. Why didn't she pay more attention?

"Io," Sarah called, then bumped against her shoulder. "You are drooling."

Io lifted her hand to her mouth only to stop when her friends burst out laughing. "You are terrible," Io said, joining them in laughing at the way she was caught looking at the man.

"Not as terrible as you," Sarah teased, "but I am learning."

Io followed her gaze to where Seth was standing, trying to not be seen watching Sarah.

"Has he spoken to Lucas?" Io did hope her friend could have a man who would do anything for her the way Xavier did.

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