The Andari Chronicles Boxed Set: Books 1-3 by Kenley Davidson

Author:Kenley Davidson [Davidson, Kenley]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Page Nine Press
Published: 2017-05-25T06:00:00+00:00

Will listened carefully for footsteps on the stairs that would indicate when a maid brought water for washing, and later breakfast. He fetched their own breakfast from the kitchen, begging the cook for extra, saying that Master Colden seemed to have more of an appetite. Cook was pleased, and heaped his tray with ham, sweet buns, and sugared cream to spread on bread or drop into tea if Master Colden was so inclined.

Will saw when Torbert Melling left for the bank, dark-clad and muttering under lowered brows, and was thankful because it would give them more time with Elaine before she would be required to endure her captor’s scrutiny.

As soon as Will delivered the food, he slipped back into the passage and down to Elaine’s room. He found her wearing an apron and a determined look, with several smudges of paint on her nose. The drapes were pulled back and the gold dress was laid carefully on a chair.

“Oh," she said when she saw him. “I forgot. Is it lunchtime already?”

Will chuckled at her bewildered look. When she was painting, she seemed to forget the whole world.

“Only breakfast," he told her, “and we would be pleased if you would join us. I believe we can promise you better than what they seem to be providing.” He gestured to the tray on the floor near the door, which featured a meager pot of tea and bread.

“Yes!” She brightened. “That would be lovely. And then I can talk to Blaise about his mother. That is, if you think he will not mind.”

Will assured her that his friend would be happy to assist, and escorted her back upstairs.

Elaine clearly wanted to discuss the painting right away, but Blaise refused until she permitted herself to be fed. So she accepted a plate, and as she sat down, there was a rustling noise from the pocket of her dress.

“Oh, Will, I forgot!” she cried. “Here.” She reached into the pocket and produced a folded paper. “The letter. I have written the direction on the back. Will it do?”

He accepted it and perused the somewhat untidy writing with a small smile. An artist she might be, but her handwriting looked no better than that of an impatient schoolboy. It was rather endearing.

“I believe it will serve," he told her. The trick was going to be placing it with the other outgoing letters in a way that did not arouse suspicion. The couriers would not carry letters that did not bear the imprint of a crown seal, which were quite costly, and Torbert Melling’s secretary was the only one in the house with access. But Will did not say this to Elaine. He had planned to slip it in with Blaise’s other letters and hope it went unnoticed.

“Also," she said, “I have discovered that I am missing one of my paints. I cannot go much farther without it. Could you… would it be too much trouble to ask…”

“Elaine," Will admonished, setting down his cup and looking at her sternly, “you must stop considering this a trouble.

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