Hawthorne - [SAMPLE]

FIVE

Camilla White

After putting on my sleeping gown, I turn off the bedroom lights and sit on my bed, sighing.

Today was hard with the duke finally moving in. It's weird knowing I am no longer the only person living in this house full-time.

Vincent Hawthorne is far from the boy I met all those years ago. Tall and sturdy, oozing class and power through his expensive suits and his eloquent manners. The Duke of Hawthorne is highly respected and feared in the kingdom. The young and soft features hardened into those of a cold, detached yet imposing man. Someone who is always highly aware of his surroundings.

Vincent Hawthorne is like a black hole, an all-consuming force that draws you in. You know it's dangerous and once you're engulfed, you're done. There's no coming out, and yet...you still let yourself go because there's no fighting it.

It was difficult to keep my composure when I saw him. From the self-assured steps into the manor to the way all of him exuded assertiveness and confidence. Was it the crisp suit in which he showed up in? Was it the way it hugged his rugged body?

It did make me wonder what's underneath...

"Ah, Camilla," I mutter to myself, trying to get rid of the sinful vision of a half-naked duke in front of me.

Maybe it was the way he looked right at me, ignoring a crowd of overly well-dressed noblewomen.

Those piercing eyes...

It felt like he was seeing right through me. They lit a trail of fire from my face, letting it spread down, towards the rest of my body, bringing it to life like no one else has ever before.

For the first time in my life, I felt...seen. Acknowledged as something more than just a housekeeper.

The way his hot breath fanned over my skin by that lift, prickling it was only heightened by the whisper of the nickname he had for me from when we were kids. To say it didn't create butterflies in my stomach is a lie.

The thoughts tug at my heart, making me frown at myself in the dimly lit bedroom. I barely know this man and yet I can't seem to get him out of my head. Not for one goddamn minute. Not since that memorial.

Woof, woof.

I turn to the side and squint my eyes to make out Primrose's silhouette in the corner of the room.

Woof, woof.

I almost forgot my baby girl needs to be let out.

Pressing the switch to turn on the light, I see her right away, rushing to me. With a quick bend down, I scoop her into my arm and rush outside to the orchard, passing through the kitchen.

Getting used to Primrose was hard at first. Mrs Elizabeth was already somewhat debilitated, and I saw the dog as another chore. But she was adamant, claiming she would brighten up our days.

And that she did. She's now my only living connection to the only person I had left.

But Primrose is still young, not even a full year old, and enduring long periods without going out to pee is still a challenge. At least she is so intelligent and learned from an early age to ask to go outside.

Such a clever girl.

Let's just hope I can keep her a secret from the duke for a little longer. At least until I can prove to him that she can live here without disturbing anyone else.

May even be my head playing tricks, but there's this inherent fear of having to give her away. I mean, I couldn't.

I'd probably leave with her.