Chapter 20
Unthinkable.
With naught else in my power to do, I simply whispered, "Josette."
She shook her head like doing so could negate the pain of these memories.
"It was a long time ago. As I had an interest in music that they did not, I was at a concert at our Dwelling of the G.o.ds with friends. A traveling choir that was quite good. They'd gone into town to have dinner at a local pub. The pub was known for excellent stew." Another shrug and she finished, "At least they had a lovely last dinner."
"Cease that nonsense," I ordered and watched my maid blink.
"I beg your pardon?"
"This is horrific, this story," I announced something she knew much better than me. "I know you wish to make little of it and move on, though I don't know why, except perhaps you don't want to trouble me with it, or you wish to deny the feelings you still feel about it."
"Well, of course I don't wish to trouble you with it. You have enough to concern you," she replied ridiculously.
"And my maid who's been loyal, hard-working and attentive, and these last days, exceptionally kind, having this history doesn't concern me?" I queried with one raised brow.
After a careful pause, she reminded me just as carefully, "It hasn't for years, milady."
She was d.a.m.nably right.
I lifted my chin. "Well it does now," I stated crisply and continued in the same tone. "And I'm sad for you. Were you close?"
She nodded.
"Then that makes me even sadder for you," I declared.
"Thank you," she replied.
"Is this how you came to service, or was your family in service before you?"
"I was...well, I needed to find work. I was thirteen. It was an orphanage or service. I think I chose rightly," she answered.
She'd been thirteen.
Yes.
Unthinkable.
"I've no idea if you did or did not but that matters not now," I told her. "Here you are. In service to me. And there I'd like you to remain, with another maid for you to oversee and a.s.sist you as we travel over the Green Sea for whatever awaits us there."
I found after making my proclamation that I was anxious to hear her reply.
Travel across the Green Sea was unusual because it wasn't entirely safe. Indeed, travel anywhere wasn't safe by land or by sea. Pirates. Highwaymen. Intemperate weather.
But from my knowledge (which was not vast), there were other dangers lurking along that pa.s.sage.
In other words, this wasn't your average adventure.
This was an adventure.
Therefore, I knew what I was asking, and these were partly the reasons why I was offering her a rise in salary but also every opportunity to break out of my service without any stress or concern about her future should she wish to decline.
I did actually think after my visit with my brother and his family and my back had healed enough to make the journey, rather than remaining in Lunwyn, which was now safe for me, that an adventure was just the thing.
But to embark on it with someone familiar would be beneficial.
And if I only admitted it to myself (for, even though I seemed to be sharing with alarming frequency), embarking on it with Josette would be beyond beneficial and maybe prove to make the journey and any ventures we had enjoyable.
"It would be an honor to go with you," she said.
I was stunned by her ready acceptance (as
Even so, I needed to be certain Josette was certain.
"And Fleuridia? Do you leave no one else behind? Friends? A lover?" I asked.
"No, milady."
I narrowed my gaze at her. "You're certain."
She nodded fervently and it was then I noted a light of excitement in her eyes.
"Yes, I'm sure. Very sure." She hopped a little on her cus.h.i.+on and reached out to grab my hands that were folded in my lap. "This might be fun!"
I looked down at my hands and barely caught sight of hers holding mine before she wrenched hers away.
"My apologies for the forwardness, milady," she murmured as if I'd chastised her.
I looked back at her face to see she'd averted her gaze.
"Josette," I called.
It took time but she eventually turned her attention back to me.
Or, to be exact, my nose.
"You've cared for my person for years. I do think it's quite all right in a moment of excitement to touch my hands, don't you?"
Her focus shot from my nose to my eyes.
"I...yes, if you don't mind, milady."
"I surely don't," I decreed then promptly stood because frankly, I'd had enough.
Truly, the ease of partic.i.p.ating in friendliness and sociability was troubling.
"Would you like your nightgown, Lady Franka?" Josette asked.
"Yes, please."
She a.s.sisted me in divesting me of my robe. She a.s.sisted me in donning my nightgown. She then a.s.sisted me putting my robe back on. She even saw to the unnecessary task of holding me steady as I slid my feet into my slippers. And she hovered close as I moved back into the bedroom.
Not done, she fervently plumped the pillows before I climbed into bed and threw the soft, woolen throw over my legs after I'd managed that feat.
"Is there aught else?" she asked.
"Yes," I answered.
She waited patiently but I could see that light of excitement still there in her eyes.
She did indeed like me.
She also liked adventure.
"Milady?" she prompted when I did not speak on.
"Do you hope we make Airen or would you rather we journey inland and seek Firenze?"
A gleaming smile spread on her face even as she shook her head. "I actually hope we find Mar-el."
Mar-el, an island nation that was said to be heavily guarded, for reasons that were an even more heavily-guarded secret. An island nation where it was also said its citizens, who were deliciously dark of skin, actually spent the vast majority of their time on magnificent galleons wreaking havoc on the seas.
"Hmm," I murmured. "I'd not considered that." I tipped my head to the side. "We'll have to put that on our agenda."
"That'd be marvelous," she breathed, her excitement visibly escalating.
I nodded, actually fighting back an indulgent smile.
Winning that, I beat back rolling my eyes...at myself.
"Indeed," I murmured in a way I hoped she knew she was dismissed, but kindly.
G.o.ds.
Perhaps I should allow Noc to call me the revolting Frannie and ask everyone else to do the same for it would seem I was Franka Drakkar no more.
"I'll just see to sorting everything for the night," Josette said.
"Thank you, Josette," I replied, reaching for my book.
"No."
At her peculiar response, I turned my attention back to my maid.
"Pardon?" I queried.
"No," she said softly. "Thank you, Lady Franka. Thank you bunches."
This put me in the awkward and unpleasant position of feeling emotion swelling up the back of my throat.
Fortunately, Josette was very good at her job.
So before I embarra.s.sed myself (further), she turned on her slipper and scurried to the dressing room.
I looked down at my book but didn't open it.
Josette was accompanying me across the Green Sea.
I allowed my lips to curl up minutely.
Marvelous.
Chapter Six.
I Smiled. Huge.
Valentine Valentine Rousseau's eyes opened and she stared at the dark ceiling.
Then she slid out of bed, leaving the young, slumbering, firm, naked male form in it.
Bending gracefully, her red-tipped fingers tagged the slip of green silk and lace off the floor. She pulled it over her head and the soft material slithered down her body.
She moved out of her bedroom, down the hall and to the room with the salmon-colored walls.
She did not bother herself with turning on a light. She knew every inch of the room, her house, for not only did she live in it, she'd been born to it.
She glided through the dark to stand at the small, round table on which the large, clear, smooth, crystal sphere sat on top of a bed of emerald-green velvet.
The tips of her fingers skimmed the ball and instantly a wisp of jade smoke curled inside the crystal.
She stared at its glow through the dark and felt her mouth get soft.
Just as she thought.
What she didn't understand was why she cared. Cared so much it woke her.
On this thought, her mouth grew hard.
"Annoying," she murmured as the smoke twisted, coiled and curved.