At Your Service, Master

Chapter Fourteen

Mikaela held the bundle of envelopes in one hand as she strode down the hallways of the manor towards its study. She knocked a few times and flinched feeling a stinging feeling travel through her left arm. She never wanted to mention anything to Mildred, but she had a feeling her wound never completely healed.

"Come in" Nicholas called from inside.

She opened the door and saw him signing papers behind his dark mahogany desk with the lamp on. He looked up at her expectantly with a tad bit of annoyance; he'd been busy these past few days. He didn't even bother trying to flirt with her when she would bring him his meals, which was odd coming from Nicholas the narcissist flirt.

Mildred, Candice, and Bernard accompanied Nathaniel on his trip to Spain where he was helping a friend's wedding. Candice would be handling the wedding dress while Bernard would make the swan ice sculptures. Mildred is going to see a doctor in Spain about her condition; the stubborn old woman wasn't ready to accept her retirement.

"I've brought your mail, master" she announced approaching his desk.

"Who are they from?" he asked in an exasperated tone, returning to his paper work.

She stopped and shuffled through the mail. Some were just bills so he didn't bother mentioning them and other were from businesses who were probably begging to have a meeting with Nicholas but he always ignored those, she stopped on a particular letter with an unfamiliar name.

"Well...One is from Rebecca Hawthorne..." Mikaela said pulling out the envelope and leaving the others on his desk.

That caught his attention; he lifted his gaze and discarded his sign pen completely. "Is that so? Read its contents." he ordered.

Mikaela blinked before tearing one end of the envelope open and pulling out a pink flowery stationary and unfolding it. Mikaela's nose cringed at the thick scent of perfume that the letter emitted and she read the letter aloud.

Dearest Nicholas,

            I am so sorry we haven't been home in a while and would like to let you know that your father and I are in Paris taking care of some business matters. Your grandfather sent me news of what happened to his maid and I'm horribly worried for the safety of both of you. A new maid, hardly a year trained surely can't protect the two of you.

MIkaela took a moment before continuing.

Well this ROOKIE maid protected them pretty damn well against those kidnappers!

Mikaela sighed forgetting that Mildred had helped her, she guessed the mother did have a right to worry. She continued.

            We considered sending our maid there but that would just endanger your father so I've come to a solution. We've met your aunt Helen recently and they're grieved over the death of their eldest son. Geoffrey, the youngest son is in a very gloomy state as well and they were hoping he could stay over at Hawthorne Manor for the time being.

            I couldn't have said no, I know you had a loving brotherly relationship with each other so I agreed. Geoffrey is expected to arrive within a week. He has his maid with him so it's a win-win situation, right? Now you have a more experienced maid for protection and you can reunite with your childhood friend!

à tout à l'heure!

            Much Love, Rebecca

Mikaela lowered the letter to see complete rage on his face. "How dare she!?" he said getting up abruptly. "Check the date it was sent"