In His Cold Embrace

Chapter 10

I sat in the bath tub and stared at the closed door glumly as Muriel washed my hair. I was so angry and confused about what Ryder was doing to me, that I couldn't stomach the thought of being in his presence a moment longer.

"Child," Mildred said softly as she lathered my hair.

"Aye," I answered lazily and kept my gaze on the door, expecting Ryder to storm in with cruel intent written on his heartbreakingly handsome face.

"Ye do not seem like thy self."

"I am fine,Mildred," I said a bit more sharp than I had intended to."Forgive me."

She sighed wearily."It's him, isn't it, child?"

Her gentle fingers massaged my scalp, causing me to relax and slump down farther into the warm water."Aye,Mildred. It is indeed that dreadful man."

She cackled at my response for a few moments."You two do have quite a way with each other."

I rolled my eyes and felt the ends of my hair dip into the water but I was just too relaxed to move. I thought I saw the door move and I gave a gasp of alarm.

"Milady?" Mildred asked in concern.

I shook my head in reply." Twas nothing at all. Just my wild imagination I presume."

She rinsed my hair in silence and helped me out of the bath tub. Numbly, I allowed her to dress me as she usually did and groom my hair. It was only when she had finished that I looked into the mirror.

"Once again, Mildred. You have made me seem desirable and pleasing to the eyes of men," I complimented her. She beamed proudly and patted my neat french pleat,adorned with tiny, expensive sequin pins. She had lightly painted my face and applied a blush and a touch of red lipstick, causing my eyes to look even more alive.

The dress was quite beautifully designed and bought by Ryder. I turned slowly in the dress, not believing the stunning sight I made and just how grand I looked.

"Mildred, I feel ridiculous in these pretty dresses and make up-"

"Nonsense,Rosemarie!" She said indignantly and fixed my petticoats before tugging sharply on the burgundy dress. It had tiny straps that just barely held the bodice together, with a scooping neckline that exposed my breasts a great deal. 

The thought rushed through my mind that by the end of the night Ryder would have ruined the beautiful garment. I shook my head to clear it and I touched the silk, taffeta fabric. It was beautiful and priceless in my eyes, almost as priceless at the amount of love I held in my heart for Ryder. I bit my lip and tears welled in my eyes.

"I can't do it," I muttered to Mildred and sank in the armchair. She placed her hands on my shoulders and met my eyes in the mirror. I dropped them to study my black strappy heels.

"When Lord Harding came for me from the palace I felt an immense dislike for the man." She squeezed my shoulder gently and continued when I smiled weakly." Then I thought to myself, Lord Harding would not have fetched me to do your bidding unless he cared somewhat about your comfort-"

"Comfort?" I choked out."I hardly think comfort would be on his mind."

The door opened suddenly but slowly and by the smug expression he wore I knew Ryder had been eavesdropping. My skin prickled uneasily and the hairs on the back of my neck rose as if on cue, I worried my bottom lip causing his cruel gaze to fall to my mouth.

"Mildred, is it?" He said smoothly and offered a smile to her and touched the brim of his black hat.

He looked charming in his black breeches, lavender silk shirt hiding beneath a black suit jacket and obviously new black boots. He pulled the brim of his hat low over his eyes, hiding his expression when he glanced at me. I stood and his jaw slackened and I prepared myself for his insults, but he just strode up to me and grabbed my arm.