Hers to Keep (Irresistibly Bound 3)

When Lindsey reached the dining room, Camilla was already seated at the head of the table, reading a newspaper while she waited for Lindsey. Even though it was 8 a.m., she looked flawlessly put-together, as usual. Perfect hair, light makeup, a stylish blouse and skirt that had to be designer. Despite the fact that she wasn’t leaving the manor today, Camilla looked like she was ready to take on the world. Lindsey suspected that Camilla dressed like this every day, even when she was alone in the house.

Lindsey walked over to the table. Several dishes were laid out, and a place was set for Lindsey next to Camilla. June placed a vase of freshly cut flowers in the middle of the table.

“Good morning, Lindsey.” Camilla tilted her head for Lindsey to plant a kiss on her cheek.

“Good morning, Mistre-” Lindsey clamped her mouth shut. June was standing right there. Lindsey had never called Camilla “Mistress” in front of anyone else.

“Oh, don’t worry about June,” Camilla said. “She sees and hears nothing. Isn’t that right, June?”

“I’m sorry Ma’am,” June said. “I didn’t catch that.”

“You see? Have a seat, Lindsey.”

Lindsey sat down. As June left the room, Lindsey was certain she saw the slightest smirk on the housekeeper’s face.

She and Camilla helped themselves to breakfast. It seemed like the spread laid out before them was for Lindsey’s benefit. Camilla always ate the same thing—poached eggs on toast with a side of grilled mushrooms and a cup of coffee. Camilla was serious about her coffee. It was one of her many indulgences.

“What do you have planned for the day, Mistress?” Lindsey asked.

“The usual. Work, work, and more work. I’m up to my elbows in paperwork. And I have a video conference with the heads of one of our subsidiaries. There have been some irregularities-” Camilla stopped short. “I’m boring you.”

“No, you’re not. I like hearing about your job.” Lindsey was beginning to enjoy their conversations about even the most mundane things.

“What about you?” Camilla asked. “What’s on for the day?”

“I brought a few books with me, so I’m going to start reading them. I never had the time to read when I was working full-time at the call center. And I might go for a swim in the pool later.”

“That sounds lovely.” Camilla frowned. “Where’s June with the coffee?”

As the two of them ate, Lindsey examined Camilla’s face. She seemed a little stressed. Lindsey wondered if she should say something, but she wasn’t sure if it would help.

After a while, Camilla spoke. “Tonight, after dinner. Why don’t we watch a

movie together? The theater is very well equipped.”

Lindsey swallowed her mouthful of food. “I would like that, Mistress.”

Camilla seemed to perk up a bit at that. But it wasn’t to last. A moment later, June returned to the dining room with a pot of coffee.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” she said. “We’ve run out of the Brazilian coffee beans you like.”

“Really, June?” Camilla said. “Again?”

“The suppliers have run out. I found you a Colombian blend that’s very similar. Just until we can get more.”

“That will have to do.” Camilla waved June over.

June poured Camilla a cup of coffee and scurried out of the room. Camilla didn’t even give her as much as a thank you. She knew Camilla hated any deviations from her routine, but this seemed like an overreaction.

Camilla pushed away her plate, which she’d barely touched, and stood up. “I’m going to get to work. I’ll see you at lunchtime.” Without another word, Camilla picked up her cup of coffee and left the dining room.

Midday arrived, but Camilla didn’t come down for lunch. Lindsey assumed it was because she was busy with work. But when dinnertime rolled around, and Camilla didn’t emerge from her rooms, Lindsey began to wonder whether something was wrong. It was just like the first few days after Lindsey had arrived.

As Lindsey finished off her dinner, June entered the dining room. “Is there anything else you need?”

“I’m good,” Lindsey said. “Is everything okay with Camilla?”

“Everything is fine.”