“Then start with me.”
“Really?”
“Oh aye. I promise to offer honest feedback, even if I can’t promise publication.”
She stared at her manuscript, gripping it hard. “Do you have the time?”
“I’ll find it.”
Zaira hesitated a moment longer, then thrust the bound papers at Alannah. “Thank you for being so kind and helpful.”
Alannah took hold of the manuscript with care, suddenly feeling the weight of what she’d agreed to. “I’m sure you’re aware that even with all the editing in the world, your manuscript might still face rejection.”
“Perhaps.”
“Especially as a woman.”
“The publishing industry is starting to make room for female authors.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Zaira glanced around hesitantly. “You must keep it a secret. No one can know about it for now.”
“I’ll be careful, so I will.” Alannah hugged the stack of paper to her chest. “You could take a pen name. A man’s name.” She hated to suggest it, but if it helped Zaira to break into the men’s world, she could eventually reveal herself after she was well-liked and respected.
“I’m already writing with a man’s name. And I’m still not lucky.”
“You’ll get there. Besides, you know what they say about luck: The only sure thing about luck is that it will change.”
A pretty smile finally curved up Zaira’s lips. “I like you, Alannah. I think we’re going to be grand friends.”
Alannah raced up the narrow servants’ stairway at the back of the house, a fresh energy coursing through her. She wasn’t sure if Zaira’s declaration about friendship would really come true. But after the past months of missing Hugh, she felt a surge of hope that perhaps she could find new friends.
As she reached the dormer level, she hurried down the windowless hallway until she reached the door to her room. Even though dusk was falling, she had several more hours of work before Cook would release her from the kitchen for the night. The editing would have to wait until then.
In the meantime, she had to stow Zaira’s manuscript in a safe place where no one would find it. The servants’ quarters were deserted during the busy hour of the evening,but she didn’t want to chance anyone seeing her with the bundle.
She slipped into her room, ducking under the slanted ceiling. A chest of drawers, bedside table, and bed took up the majority of space, leaving a narrow pathway between the furniture.
A circular window above the bed afforded some natural light, revealing her nightgown and coat on the pegs on the back of the door, a lantern on the bedside table, a basin, pitcher, and towel on the dresser, and her books stacked neatly beside them.
She started toward the dresser. The empty bottom drawer would probably be the best spot to keep the manuscript.
As she reached for the knob, she stopped short at the sight of a book on her pillow. How had it gotten there? Had someone come into her room and sorted through her belongings, leaving it out?
Her chest drummed with unease.
She finished stowing Zaira’s story in the bottom drawer, then straightened and read the title of the book on her pillow.Sense and Sensibilityby Jane Austen.
She drew in a breath. “Kiernan.” Her gaze swept over the room as if he would magically appear from a corner. She had no doubt he was the one who’d left it for her. But how? When?
A smile tugged at her lips, and pleasure sifted through her. Kiernan had remembered their conversation of the previous night and brought her a book. No one had ever done anything so kind for her before.
She picked up the book reverently. Where had he found it? She didn’t remember seeing the book anywhere around thehouse since there were very few books, mostly those Zaira kept in her room.
Carefully Alannah opened the cover and flipped through the pages until she reached the first chapter. The words beckoned to her. But she closed the book and fingered the spine, relishing the hard length. She smoothed her hands over the front and back, then forced herself to put the book back on her pillow in the exact spot she’d found it.
As she exited the room, she prayed she wasn’t dreaming and that she would find the book there later when she returned.
