Boudoir Secrets

Chapter 59

She stretched on the bed and withheld opening her eyes for a few moments as her head throbbed painfully.  Movement seemed to cause her head to expand further so she snuggled deeper into the pillow, her hand rubbing the linen sheets. Linen sheets? Arianrhod's eyes flew open and she looked around in dazed confusion. Where was she? She definitely wasn't home!

"Ah, good to see you are finally awake, Miss," a crisp man's voice said poshly.

Arianrhod sat up in bed and drew the sheets up to her shoulders.

Clearing her throat, she ventured nervously, "Wh-where am I? Who-who are you?"

The man straightened from his chair where he had obviously been keeping vigil over her and responded, "You are in Master James' house and my name is Henry. I am the butler of this establishment."

Relief washed over her as she slumped back down into bed.

"Thank you."

"I best be telling Master James that you are awake and see to breakfast for you. Do you have any preferences, Miss?"

She shook her head. The pain causing her to feel nauseous. The light streaming brightly into the room didn't help. She squinted and turned her head away from the angry rays of sunshine.

Henry silently closed the blinds and exited the room, returning moments later with a jug of water and a cold glass. He placed them by her bed and informed her that a bath could be run for her if she liked. Arianrhod meekly responded that it was unnecessary and that she would be up shortly.

As she lay in bed, she felt a presence in the room and opened her eyes hesitantly, half expecting Henry to ask her if she needed assistance in getting out of bed!

"I must say, you've looked better."

Arianrhod stared angrily at James. The nerve of him! He stood by her bed with a stupid grin pasted to his face.

Through clenched teeth she said stiffly, "So have you. Care to explain?"

James laughed and sat on the edge of her bed. He pushed back the stray hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

"I would kiss you but after the throwing up you did last night, I think brushing your teeth is a priority. A shower wouldn't hurt either."

He lept and ran to the door, narrowly missing out on being hit in the head with a pillow.