Lily and the Pea #OnceUponNow

Chapter Two

Lily didn't make a habit of obeying orders, so it surprised her when she followed Evelyn through the house without question. Everything about the rooms she peeked in screamed money. It made Lily's skin prickle. She was sure to break an invaluable family heirloom or something.

When they stepped into a large suite, Lily tried one more time to excuse Evelyn from hosting her. "Listen, I appreciate this, but are you sure you want me here overnight? It can't be too hard to get a tow truck out here."

Evelyn's pale eyes settled on Lily, her head cocked to the side. She must be a sight, standing in this lovely room in a drenched sweatshirt and jeans. "I'm sure. I won't hear of you leaving tonight in this storm. You should be able to find everything you need and Maxwell will be in with the clothes and some food. See you in the morning."

Then she was gone. Lily took a deep breath to steady herself before turning to survey the room. It was...pink. Pale pink striped wallpaper coordinated with deep pink curtains. The bed looked like a giant cloud of cotton candy. On closer inspection, she saw it even had three thick mattresses. Who had three mattresses on one bed?

She wandered around the suite, not sure what to do until Maxwell returned. There was a sitting area to the right of the bed with a beautiful fireplace. A door to the left led to a ridiculously large bathroom. At least it wasn't pink. But it was wall-to-wall cream.

A quiet knock at the door drew Lily's attention. She peeked out to find Maxwell waiting with a tea cart. There hadn't been time to take a good look at him when she arrived, but she couldn't help noticing him now. He was by far the most attractive butler she had ever met. And she'd met a lot of them. They were generally austere and dignified, paid to open doors and shoo away riff-raff like her.

But this one? He was somber, but there was a little light in his eyes that she thought might be humor. He fit her type in the looks department. He was not too tall, but muscular. Hair so dark it was almost black, piercing blue eyes, wide lips. Oh, she wanted to see those lips curve up in a smile.

Lily shook herself out of her runaway thoughts and opened the door for Maxwell. She caught a glimpse of a covered tray and a stack of clothing piled on the tea cart as he pushed it silently into the room. He placed the clothes on the bed and uncovered the tray of food. Her stomach rumbled as delicious smells wafted through the room, but she held back. She didn't want to embarrass herself further by wolfing down the food in front of him.

"Thanks for bringing the food and clothes, Maxwell. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

He offered one quick nod and moved toward the door. She realized he hadn't spoken a word to her. It seemed odd. And when things seemed odd to Lily, her curious nature wouldn't let her leave it alone. She jumped in front of him and stuck out her right hand. "I'm Lily James, by the way."

He looked at her hand as if it would bite him. Her face started to heat. So she wasn't even good enough for the butler in this place? But then he reached out and enveloped her hand in his, squeezing gently. A sizzle raced from where they touched straight through her body. He didn't let go of her hand right away and she wondered if he felt the sizzle, too. But sizzle or no, someone had to let go before it got awkward. She broke the contact and stuffed both hands in the wet pockets of her jeans.

"You know, I've worked with a lot of the families around here, but I don't remember anyone mentioning Evelyn Kenning. Do you like working for her?"

Maxwell's head jerked up. "You think I work here?"

Her cheeks flushed. Uh oh. She had just mistaken a family member for staff. Just like always in Emerald Hills, she managed to offend someone in mere minutes. "I'm so sorry. You were waiting there at the door and bringing things to my room. I assumed you were the butler. It was my mistake."

To her surprise, he chuckled. Coming from anyone else, laughter would have been mortifying. But Maxwell's laugh was warm and genuine and it calmed her agitation instead. She found herself giggling a little with him.

"So if you aren't the butler, who are you?"

"I'm Evelyn's son. My mother...doesn't keep much staff. She tends to be a bit eccentric." He glanced ruefully around the room, causing Lily to laugh again.

"I can see what you mean. But please, don't let me keep you. You must be a busy person." Most of the rich folks she worked for were too busy to even give her the time of day.

"Yes, I suppose I should go." He paused in the doorway and looked back at her. "I hope you sleep well, Miss James." He held her gaze much longer than necessary, causing the heat to climb back up her neck. "Also, please call me Max." The words, combined with the warmth in his eyes, felt intimate. With that, he let himself out the door and closed it behind him. ​