Hurrying from the room, Theodora shot a concerned glance at Livinia before shutting the door in her wake.
“I must protest to the studies ending before …” Her words trailed off when Benedict shot her a warning stare. His eyes were dark, and his being radiated danger.
The wave of goosebumps that spread over her skin sent strange sensations through her body. The only thing her feelings could be likened to was the same exhilaration that one experienced when being doused with a bucket of icy water. She was alert and on guard but not entirely frightened.
“I come in expecting to find my house in order, but instead, I am met with my servant informing me that my parlour has been sequestered.” He paused to take a deep breath, causing his broad shoulders to rise and fall in slow motion.
That slimy weasel …
Thomas had gone straight from the parlour to tell Benedict what she had done instead of keeping his nose out of her business.
So much for keeping to oneself.
“This is the only other room in the house where the fire is lit before the evening meal, My Lord. Lady Theodora and I wanted to finish our studies in relative warmth.” Her breathing began to come in even rhythms as she noted the steady rise and fall of his chest muscles beneath the tight cotton shirt.
“Do not interrupt me while I am speaking.” Benedict stepped towards her, adding to the already tense atmosphere that had filled the room like fog.
Her heart began to flutter as he towered over her. What about his presence drew her in despite the warning signs that she was to know her place?
“I will repeat what I said when you arrived, Miss Campbell. You are to educate my sister and ensure her smooth entry into Society. Nothing else in the house is to be questioned. Do I need to spell my wishes out for you? Or will you obey me?” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and he swallowed, making the taut muscles of his neck more evident.
Livinia thought of ending the conversation there but knew that backing down would mean certain defeat for the rest of her employment.
“I am tasked with the wellbeing of your sister, My Lord. I am unsure if you are aware that the study is drafty, even if winter has not fully set in. Am I to be blamed if Lady Theodora catches a cold?” She swallowed hard and hoped her ragged breaths would not be as noticeable to him as they were to her.
Benedict seemed to consider her words as his eyes slid over her seated figure with the same kind of hunger that had been there when they met. “I will take steps to ensure that my sister does not catch a cold.”
“Thank you, My Lord.” She stood and began to gather the books when the earl’s hand shot out and caught her wrist.
“I said that I would ensure my sister’s health, but do not mistake my kindness for weakness, Miss Campbell. Any more of your meddling will lead to some very unfortunate consequences.” He said the last word as if it were a fact rather than a threat.
Livinia looked into his eyes, drowning in the dark pools that threatened to suck her in forever. The tense, deep hues of green reminded her of a lake in the middle of winter. Breathtakingly beautiful, dangerous, nonetheless.
His thumb delicately ran over her wrist. “My words are to be obeyed at all times, Miss Campbell. Do not make me repeat myself ever again,” he spoke in a husky tone barely above a whisper.
Feeling the pit of her stomach knotting with a pleasant sensation that only proved to confuse her, Livinia withdrew her wrist. “I bid you a good evening, My Lord.” The feel of his thumb running over her flesh had been more than she could bear. It was better to leave before her thoughts could be tangled any further.
Chapter 7
The fire crackled peacefully behind the grate in the study. Lessons had gone without a hitch, and Livinia felt more than just a little accomplished. She’d thank the earl next time she saw him. Although he preferred to keep to himself, she managed to catch glimpses of him throughout her day.
It was still strange to her how a household could function with everyone living their separate routines. But then again, she was there to perform her duties, not judge how they lived their lives.
She paused for a second and stared into the fire that was busy burning down to glowing embers of bright red. Something had woken within her since coming to the mansion. Her dreams burned hot at night with images of the earl pursuing her. The core of her being smouldered much like the last remnants of the fire.
Why did she feel restless all of a sudden? It was as if the shift in her life had caused her to yearn for something more, but what was that something? Did she long to move on to a different position, or was she yearning for an entirely different change of events?
She breathed a confused sigh of satisfaction and gathered her stack of books. It was getting rather late, and there would be enough time in the morning to continue with her lesson plans. The stack of books felt strangely heavy as she weighed them on her arm.
That’s strange; I must be tired.
She shifted the books on her arm to make the load lighter, but she only succeeded in scattering the pile across the floor as they fell from her grip.
“Great.” She shook her head and knelt on the floor, gathering the leatherbound books with gold lettering on the covers. A frown creased her brow when the tips of her fingers brushed a cover unlike all the others.
The book was the same dark brown as the rest of the leather, but this one was softer. The leather was more warn and pliable as if it had been used daily for extended periods. Lifting the books in her hands, she noted the thin strip of leather used to seal the book with a knot on the side.
Livinia glanced up with her bottom lip caught between her teeth. It seemed like a journal, or at least something she shouldn’t check without asking permission. Little bits of paper with writing poked out the pages, giving the book an alluring fatness that beckoned her in.
One glance couldn’t hurt.
She glanced at the open door one final time to ensure she was alone before untying the strip that was more than a little frayed. The pages fell open to an entry dated five years before she arrived at the manor.
Today brought little to no clarity on what happened to Mother and Father.
Her heart began to beat faster as she realized that the book was indeed a journal of sorts. The slanted writing was elegant and neat, but it seemed more masculine somehow as if the writer had strong hands.
The discovery of their bodies remains a mystery to all. Theodora was spared the grotesque sight of stumbling upon their bodies, yet the sight of blood haunts me. Their lives were reduced to nothing more than bloody stains. Eleanor thinks everything was somehow just an unfortunate accident, but I fail to see how that could have been. I will not rest until the questions have been answered and I know the truth.
A chill ran down her spine despite the dying fire behind her. What had happened to the late earl and countess? Was she even safe living in a mansion where people had lost their lives under mysterious circumstances?
Murdered, it sounds as if they were murdered.
The thought made her pulse race as the blood drained from her face, her fingers clutching the book and leaving indentations in the already fragile pages.
“Just what do you think you are doing?!” Benedict growled above her as the book was lifted from her fingers with force. The tips of her fingers grazed the sharp edges of paper like a knife blade.
“Bene … I mean, My Lord!” Livinia scrambled to her feet at the realization of being caught. She should have shut the door while she had the chance; that way, she would have at least been warned when someone came in. She quickly checked her fingers for cuts but saw none besides the redness from the sudden action.
