“Will there be anything else?” Tomas asked.
“Will someone call us to dinner or…?” Toni was peopled out already, and it was not yet mid-afternoon.
“The schedule.” He pointed to a packet on the nightside cabinet. “But if you need me to fetch you, I can.”
“Youspecifically? Are you the only one on staff right now?”
“No.” He squirmed, and Toni wasn’t quite sure why until he recited, “‘Aristocracy without a lady’s maid or valet will be assigned one.’” He shrugged. “You’resomeonehere, probably out there, too, if you’re who I think you are. Novelist with a television adaptation. I was assigned to assist you in dressing, refreshments, answering questions, retrieving a book, or showing you to the library.”
“I willnotneed help with my dressing—”
“Thank Victoria and Albert.” He grinned.
“Direction to the library later, but for now, all I require is a tea tray with hot chocolate or coffee or tea and a timely reminder when I need to dress.” Toni paused, not wanting to get him in trouble. “And, you know, when no one’s around you don’t need to sound quite so much like we’re in the 1800s if you want.”
“Awesome.The job pays well, and tuition isn’t exactly free.…” He sighed and admitted, “I’m not great at the acting, though. Chem major, not history or drama.”
“History prof,” Toni said, pointing at herself. “I mean, the novelist part is true, but either way, I still would rather not sound like I live in the 1800s.”
He laughed, and somehow, Toni felt better. In a light tone, she said, “At least I was assigned the best valet.…”
“Ha! I’ll grab your tray, Darbyshire.”
Tomas left, and Toni kicked off her shoes. She had a few hours to relax before she had to be wearing both a Victorian-era persona and an author persona, and Toni was going to hide out in her room and relax for every possible moment.
Chapter 25Addie
Addie stared at the enormous house. It looked like it belonged in England, complete with the fountain out front and the creeping vines that trailed across the stone front. Honestly, Addie thought she might want to talk to Marcela about on-site filming possibilities. There wasn’t an excess of Victorian mansions in Los Angeles. New England, however, had more than a few. Perhaps having the show film here was what Cape Dove Manor was angling for, considering their persistence on offering to host promotional events for the show.
I wonder if they offered that to Toni, too.
Every thought somehow led toher.Addie could argue that inthiscase, it was logical, but everything tied to Toni. Addie felt like her life was permeated by the woman who hadn’t even called since they had sex. Now, Toni would be here, inside this house. Maybe she was even here already. Toni, who sent two bouquets and not a single text or call. Toni, who seemed to be perpetually on Addie’s mind. Toni, who had made Addie quiver and beg.
I’m not interested in casual sex, though, and if that’s all I was to her…
Or maybe she was just busy and—
“Miss?” The driver was extending a gloved hand to her. “We’re here.”
Addie descended from the carriage, absurdly grateful for her practice on the set. These dresses were no joke to walk in, sit in, travel in. When the publisher suggested she arrive in costume, Addie had delayed answering. Part of her said no. Another part thought wearing her historically accurate drawers made perfect sense.
Not that I’m going to sleep with her.
We need to talk before anything like that is even remotely possible.
Addie was stung that Toni hadn’t called once. She hadn’t texted even to say she looked forward to seeing her this weekend. Admittedly, Addie had been busier than ever in her life. Filming a show—as the lead character—was exhausting. They had filmed for the last three weeks nonstop, and then an order for more episodes came in. The eight-episode order for the show was now twelve, and there was talk that they might even expand to twenty episodes. The studio bigwigs liked what they saw in the initial episodes.
Does Toni know yet? She must.
Addie had just found out when she was told to take the weekend off—and go to a promo event. So the weekend wasn’t “not work” in reality; technically, she was only required to be here Sunday. Still, she told them she’d fly Friday. If she was going to have two days off, why not fly out early and confront her absentee lover?
Should I have emailed her the show news? Or that I was arriving early?
“Miss?”
Addie startled as she stared up at the front of the house, where a servant in livery waited. Then she glanced behind her.
The servant asked, “Do you have a bag?”
