Court of Flowers (Sutherland Book 1)

XII | Belcourt

"Make me understand why it is difficult for you."

She swallowed. He saw the apprehension in her eyes.

"Why? Afraid that your incompetence will be proven?"

Her reaction was as he expected. She scoffed and West realized how easy she could be read. She was not difficult at all. And he surmised that it would not be long before he could master Sasha.

"You wish me to prove to you how great of a task you are expecting me to fulfill in four fortnights?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"Yes."

She slowly nodded. "Very well, prepare to be surprised."

With no warning, she stood and started walking away.

"Where are you going?"

"I do not intend to freeze to death in your garden," she said over her shoulder. "Unless you wish for my corpse to be discovered in two months, you would allow me to stay inside where it is warm."

West stood with a huff and followed her inside.

"Would you be a dear, Darren, and serve us tea in the drawing room?" asked Sasha to the valet who appeared to have already been waiting for them inside.

The man immediately jumped to his feet to do her bidding.

West tailed Sasha into the drawing room. "Whatever you did to him, you ought to share with me."

Hearing her chuckle was surprisingly satisfying. Was this how Darren felt?

How her other flowers felt?

Good Lord, she had another flower. What could she be telling this other man?

She sat in the settee while they waited for Darren. He watched her work on the tie of her red cloak. Then she stopped with a frown. "Do I hear a dog barking nearby?"

"Seven," he replied, taking the chair opposite the settee.

"What?"

"The dog's name is Seven."

"And where is this dog?"

"Somewhere."

"Somewhere where?"

"Leashed somewhere."

Her eyes widened with horror and she jumped to her feet. "And whose dog is this?"

West blinked in surprise. "Mine."

She gasped, horrified. "You leash your dog?"

West sighed. "He is not accustomed to strangers."

"Then why did you have to bring him here?"

"He can be quite uncontrollable."

"Why?"

"Because I am not around."

"Then you take him everywhere?"

"No. There are only two people who can control him. Both of whom are in this villa."

Sasha sighed, placing her hand on her forehead. "Release him at once."

It was his turn to look at her with incredulity. "Do you wish to be dead?"

Seven barked once again.

"Where is he?" she demanded.

"In my chamber—where in the bloody hell are you going!" he demanded when she suddenly whirled around and stalked to the door.