Saving June (Book 3)

Chapter 7

Theodore lay in bed that night, fingering the small silver ring he kept by his bedside. It had been his only remainder of his mother who died when he was very young. That was all he knew but he had a faint memory of a red haired woman who smelled of rosemary and oranges. A soft voice and a kiss on his baby brow before complete darkness and men's voices. Theodore frowned, looking at the silver band. It was engraved with vines and a small green stone was inlaid at the top, cut in a rectangular shape. He placed the ring in the drawer with the cook book and shut it. He left his room and headed for the kitchens where he found Susan and Eleanor washing dishes.

"Theodore, who's Lord Graham's guest? Lily's just been sent up to attend to her." Susan asked.

"Miss June Taylor. There was too much snow for her to return home." He replied, sitting at the table and helping himself to a discarded apple tart. The two girl looked at each other and whispered, breaking out into hysterical giggles once in a while. Theodore observed Eleanor and felt his fingers itch to draw her.

Unlike Susan who was all rosy cheeks and grins, Eleanor's face was angular, her chin sharp and her cheekbones defined. Her rich auburn hair was tied in a bun but a few tendrils fell into her small brown eyes.

"Is Miss June engaged?" Eleanor asked.

"I don't know, but I don't think so." He replied, setting of another onslaught of giggles.

"Does she come visiting often?"

"I've seen her a few times in the last week."

"Do you think they'll get married?" Susan asked.

"Nah, she's not pretty enough. Rather plain looking if you ask me." Theodore said just as Mrs. Dunlap entered the room.

"Mr. Wider, Lord Graham rang for you three minutes ago. I thought you would be there." She said, eyeing his disapprovingly as he sprung out of his chair.

"Yes Mrs. Dunlap, I'm going," he dashed out of the kitchen, cursing himself as he entered the upper halls and into Lord Graham's bedroom.

"Wilder, you're late," Lord Graham said.

"I'm sorry sir," Theodore said as piously as he could manage. He noticed that his master seemed on edge and Theodore remained silent as he helped his master with his coat.

"Thank you," Lord Graham said after he was down to his shirt and trousers. "You can go," he turned away and Theodore left the room, padding down the hall until a door opened and June stood in the hall. She was dressed in a crimson silk dressing robe and her hair was in a thick braid that was draped over her right shoulder. Her face was flushed and she looked uncomfortable.

"Miss June, I trust you have everything you need," he said slyly, his eyes raking her frame in a not fully artistic manner.

"Yes thank you," she turned back into her room and Theodore watched her go, a smile twisting his lips. Once inside the room she turned to close the door and their eyes, met; Theodore's dark, laughing eyes and her grey, almost fearful ones. He inclined his head and she shut the door.

June leaned against the door after closing it, her heart beating at twice the regular rate. Something about the valet made her feel very exposed. She shivered and crawled into the warm bed, blowing out the candle and curling down under the covers. The flames from the fire cast strange shadows on the wall, making June think of a dark fiery cavern where a demon lay in wait for his pray She closed her eyes, turning towards the door and thinking of Lord Graham. She blushed at the memory of his hands on her back, his lips on hers. It had been an indecent thing to do, not that that had ever stopped her before but somehow with Lord Graham it was different. More intimate. More scandalous. More pleasurable. She shook her head, opening her eyes again.