Ella’s POV
“Who is that?” The count growled as he raised his head up from my neck.
“It’s Peter, my lord.” The butler said. “The door man says you have a guest.”
“I’m busy.” Ronald replied, looking at me with eyes shining with breath.
I held my breath, hoping he would have to leave.
“I told him but it seems the guest is important. He wouldn’t have come up here to tell me of his presence if it wasn’t important at this time of the night.” Peter explained.
Ronald growled, running his hand through his hair in exasperation. “Who the fuck has the wrong timing ever?”
“It’s the bureau leader.” Peter said. I could hear the restrained chuckle in his voice. He must be amused at the count’s frustration.
“I will be right outside.” Ronald sighed.
“He is waiting for you in your study.”
“Leave.” Ronald scowled, glaring at me like it was my fault that he had an unexpected guest.
I guessed I could say it was my fault in a way. The moon goddess must have heard my prayers.
“Yes, master.” I said and scrambled out of the room before he could change his mind and demand a quickie or worse, keep me locked in his bedroom till he was done and have me spend the night.
“Thank you.” I breathed, thanking the moon goddess as I got back to my room.
I quickly dressed up and wore comfortable clothes. There was no possibility of the count calling for me again but I didn’t want to take that risk of being clothed in skimpy night wear.
I couldn’t sleep. I tossed about the bed, turning and groaning. I wanted to lock the door to sleep comfortably but I couldn’t do that. Slaves weren’t allowed to lock their bedroom doors.
I had no doubt that it was Peter who added that to the rules so he could have an excuse for barging into our rooms without consequences. The butler was a real sick bastard.
Why are you thinking so hard?
Lucy asked, creeping up on me.
You should sleep. You’ve been working all day.
“I want to. I just can’t.”
Close your eyes, breathe in and out.
I did as she said but was too troubled still to sleep.
Should we play a game? Our usual game.
“I’m too tired to think.” I complained.
She snorted. You are not too tired to sleep.
“I miss you.” I groaned. I wanted to run and feel my silky fur.
I miss you too. Should I sing a lullaby for you? That might put you to sleep.
“Can you sing?” I chuckled, amused at her offer. I had never heard her sing.
She pouted. Should I?
“Maybe.”
She snorted.
I heard a knock on the bedroom door just as I was about to sleep and Peter walked in a second later.
“I knocked this time.” He smiled at me.
I narrowed my eyes at him. Something must have happened for him to smile at me in that manner. I didn’t have to be a genius to know he was patronizing me.
“What do you want?”
“The count wants to see you.”
What? Was he done with his meeting already? I should have rubbed the pollen on my body before getting into bed if I had known the meeting wouldn’t be long, I would be reacting to it by now.
“He wants to see you in his study, not his bedroom.” He announced, noting the look in my eyes.
I ought to be relieved but there was a sly grin on his face that made me uneasy. There was something going on that he wasn’t telling me.
“Let’s go.” He ordered, turning his back to me. “Don’t keep the count waiting.”
He pulled the door open, waited for me to get out and started moving towards the study.
I had never been to the count’s study and wondered what I was going to find there. I hoped he didn’t want to sleep with me in his study. I shook my head of the horrid images playing in my head, hoping he wouldn’t do what I feared.
We climbed up stairs and took a turning till we got to the fourth floor. I never would have come up here alone even if I was crazy and curious. The stairs were much and I would have been wheezing with fatigue by now if I was human.
I looked at Peter but he seemed to be fine. He must be used to going up and down the stairs he didn’t seem freaked out.
“Go in.” He said the minute we got to the entrance of the study, standing guard as usual at the door.
His eyes held no pity for me nor any hint of what was going on making my heart beat faster.
I breathed in and exhaled, forcing myself to calm down. I chuckled softly to myself, wondering why I was acting like I was being forced to the slaughter house.
Maybe I really was.
I stepped into the study, looked around and frowned as my gaze fell upon the count and his guest. From their looks, it was obvious they had been waiting for me and the count was really mad.
I hoped it wasn’t at me.
“Who is that guy I saw you with the other day and why does he want to buy you?” The count growled the minute I walked in, his voice laced with rage.
I was stunned at his words more than his rage. It was a shock to realize I was the one he was mad at but more of a shock to hear what he said.
Kevin wanted to buy me? I couldn’t believe it. I should have known he wouldn’t stay still.