Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Yes, this sounds very ghastly indeed.”
“I—”
“Abena!” She jumped at the sound of another girl’s voice. This girl, with blonde hair and bright eyes, rushed down to grab her arm. “What did Mama tell you about disturbing the guests!”
“Devana, let go! I’m not done talking to him—” Devana clasped her other hand over Abena’s mouth.
“Forgive her, Your Highness, and please excuse us,” she said, already taking the girl back up the stairs. Because they were both struggling, she nearly slipped but quickly recovered. She rushed her back up and I just stood there, thoroughly confused but greatly amused as well.
What an odd bunch this family was…these Du Bells.
Maybe the secret to understanding Hathor was to…wait, why did I wish to understand her? And why was this woman consistently plaguing my thoughts?
Damn me for kissing her!
And damn me twice for wanting to do it again.
8
Wilhelm
When I arrived downstairs, the first person I saw was another Du Bell. This time her brother was speaking to an older maid. Upon seeing me, he dismissed her and moved to gain my attention.
“Is everything all right?” I questioned first.
“I’ve been informed that one of my sisters may have disturbed you,” he said with concern. My first thought went to Lady Hathor, as she was the cause for my true disturbance. But he added, “I apologize on Abena’s behalf; she has a tendency to be riotous.”
“I assure you she did not say anything that I found disturbing or worth invoking a riot,” I replied as I followed in step with him.
“Believe me, that would not be the case should Hathor find out.” He sighed and then stopped at one of the doors. “Would you care for a drink?”
“Certainly,” I said as we entered the library, and he moved to pull wine from some secret compartment within the oak desk.
“My father often stores his best here for moments when we seek to hide from the girls, my mother included,” he said as he removed glasses from the sideboard.
“I can only imagine how often that has happened…though I am not surprised that even a great lord must take refuge somewhere from the monotonous demands of being a husband and father,” I said as he handed me a glass.
“Monotonous would not be the word either my father or I would use.” He chuckled as he lifted the glass. “In fact, it is rather the opposite. The women of this family take us on countless adventures. In here is the only time we are free to be dull in peace.”
“Surely you jest, for what adventure could a woman take you on?”
He stared at me for a moment and then shook his head. “You shall see when you are wed.”
“This again? If I did not know better, I would think you were my aunt’s spy.”
He smirked. “I do not make a habit of losing bets. I am more concerned about what Abena may have said to you.”
“What she said?” I asked, noticing a covered canvas in a corner of the room.
“Yes, I heard it was something horrible about Hathor?”
“It was hardly horrible, more amusing.”
He frowned and shook his head. “That girl. Pay her no mind. She is just…reluctant to see any of her sisters married off.”
“Why on earth would she not wish her sisters to get married?”
“Because they’ll leave,” Damon said with a hint of sadness on his face for the briefest of moments. “I’ve caught her three times now trying to scare off Hathor’s suitors with horrid stories of her. I have not told my mother or Hathor, as I fear they will string up Abena by her toes should they find out. My other sister, Devana, immediately sent one of the maids to find me after uncovering Abena’s latest attempt with you.”
“How quickly you act over something so small.”
“The reputation of my sisters is not a small matter to me.”
“I mean…”
“I understand what you mean, but nevertheless, for Hathor’s sake, I thought it important to speak to you and clarify the situation immediately.”
It was abnormal to me, these siblings who rallied for one another at the slightest risk. “You Du Bell siblings are very close it seems.”
“Aren’t all siblings close?”
What a life he must have lived to ask such a question with true perplexity upon his face. Not wishing to destroy the illusions in his head, I pointed to the canvas in the corner to change the subject. “What is that?”
“Ah, one of Hathor’s pending masterpieces—”
“Damon?” The door opened to reveal a simple-faced woman with blonde hair who was dressed in a light blue gown. Upon seeing me, her eyes widened and she curtsied. “Hello, Your Highness, forgive me, I was not told you were here as well.”
“It is fine,” I said, remembering her to be his wife. “If you need the room, I can return outside—”
“No, not at all. Please stay and relax,” she said quickly and then looked to her husband. “My dear, when you have a moment, Mini—”