A new path emerged, and Adalyn made a vow to herself, that if it was the last thing she ever did on this Earth, she’d make Lori suffer.
The door opened and a man stood there, staring at her.Older with near-white hair and wrinkles lining his kind face.Adalyn sat up but couldn’t summon any emotion except exhaustion.
“Good morning,” he greeted with a soft smile.“How are you feeling?”
“Not great,” she replied.“Um.Where am I?”
“Welcome to the Huntley Chateau.”
“Huntley.”Memories flooded back.“He saved me?”
Why had Gareth shown up?Why did he save her?Questions that had no immediate answers.
“That he did.My name is Lionel, if you need anything.”
“Um, my clothes?”
Kindness radiated from his eyes.“They were ruined so Lord Huntley had new ones delivered.They’re on the dresser.”
She looked over and saw a couple of bags that rested on the top.Name brand ones that were going to be damn hard to pay back.
“Thank him for me,” she said quietly.“Please let him know I’ll find a way to reimburse him.”
“Lord Huntley does not expect repayment.”
She didn’t know what to say to that, so she nodded like she agreed.However, it wasn’t something she’d forget.
“Please feel free to freshen up in your bathroom.”He gestured to a closed door.“Use all the amenities.When you’re ready, come downstairs to the dining room and I’ll have breakfast waiting for you.”
For a moment, she stared into space.The next few days were going to be rough, but the first thing she needed to discover was where Marilisa’s body had been taken.Adalyn wished she could rewind the clock.She wasn’t a violent person, but if she had a do-over she’d do anything to rid the world of a truly awful person.The past was set in stone, so she could only go forward, but her plan now was to make Lori pay.
Moving slowly, she rose and headed into the ensuite bathroom, grimacing with each step.The mirror revealed a bruised face, busted lip, hair in knots.She couldn’t care less.In a drawer she found a brush and took a few minutes to straighten it out, then shucked her panties and shirt and headed into the shower.The heat was heavenly and she leaned against the tile, soaking up the steam.
Twenty minutes later, she left the bedroom wearing her new clothes.Black slacks and a long sleeve shirt.Almost instantly, she realized that Gareth’s house was huge.It took her a few minutes to find some stairs and then she wandered around on the ground level until she saw someone cleaning.
“Hi,” she said.“I’m looking for Lionel.”
“Hello,” the woman said with a kind smile that put Adalyn at ease.“He’s in the kitchen.Let me take you there.”
“Thank you.I greatly appreciate it.”
There were a few more turns before the woman pointed to the kitchen.She entered the very large space where several people cleaned, peeled and chopped vegetables.Lionel smiled at her.
“You found us,” he remarked.“Miss Adalyn, this is the head cook, Mrs.Brenda.Over there is Amy and Jessie.”
“Nice to meet you,” Adalyn murmured.“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Oh, no, child,” said Mrs.Brenda.“If you’d like to go to the dining room, I can bring you breakfast.”
Adalyn smiled shyly.“Would you mind if I eat here?”
Mrs.Brenda’s eyebrows rose.“Oh.Well, of course.Here you go.”
She put several pancakes on a plate, some scrambled eggs, and toast.
“Thank you.This smells delicious.”
“My pleasure,” Mrs.Brenda said, sounding pleased.“Lord Huntley expressed his regret not joining you today.He has a lot of business to attend to.”
