Cal was gone by morning but when Thomas came in to see her, he was bearing a crystal vase filled with sprigs of black hellebore. “From Mr. Cullraven,” he said, sounding slightly disapproving. “He said to tell you that the fact that they are such an anxious and difficult flower just makes their procurement all the more satisfying.”
“Um, okay,” Nadine said, folding her arms. “Thanks.”
To her relief, he set the vase on the vanity table, far from the bed. The plate itself was covered so none of the poisonous black petals could get in the food, and she stared at the tray hungrily as he set it on the rather conspicuously rumpled sheets.
“He also said that you would be taking all of your meals in your room for the next two days, and would be spending most of your time here.” He looked at her sharply. “Is that right, miss?”
Nadine felt a burst of gratitude at this unexpected reprieve. Cal was trying to protect her again. “Yes? I mean, I guess so.”
“I’ll let the family know.” He paused at the threshold of the door. “They won’t like it.”
There was an ominous note to his voice. Why wouldn’t they like it? Nadine wondered, moving closer to the tray and picking up a piece of bacon. Because they enjoyed sitting around and goading her? Actually, they probably did. It was probably just another bloodsport, as far as they were concerned. Like a matador teasing the bull before he gored it.
Or a butcher tenderizing meat.
Nadine shuddered. She would have liked to have gone on a walk, as if she could outpace the thoughts in her head if she walked far enough, fast enough. But after Cal’s ominous warning about the sheriff and spending the next two days in her room, she decided to visit the house’s library instead. This time, she looked around thoroughly to make sure Nathaniel wasn’t lurking around in any dark corners.
The library was empty so she grabbed a handful of interesting-looking books to take to her room, pausing by the settee. There were, indeed, a few faint brown marks from where her blood had soaked into the embroidery. She clutched the books tighter, with a shiver of unease, and nearly crashed right into Ben in the hall, who had reached out instinctively to steady her.
“Nadine.”
She pulled back. The sound of dropping books made her jump, her heart echoing each arhythmic thump. Ben regarded her with his severe green gaze before bending over in a way that made her take another step back as he gathered each book slowly and deliberately before handing them all over as a single stack.
“You should be more careful,” he said. “You never know who you might run into, tearing around these halls like a frightened animal.”
“I—see that now,” she said faintly.
“Hmm.” His mouth was thin and ungenerous. “Why won’t you look me in the eyes?”
Hugging the books tighter to her chest, she slowly lifted her gaze to his, shuddering with the effort of holding in her hatred as she took in those cold eyes and unsmiling lips, set in the chiseled face with its slightly weak chin.
Murderer. Murderer. Murderer.
“There you are.” His mouth tilted unkindly. “Little sparrow, is it? I bet you have no idea what that even means, or what he’s asking you to do. But I do. And let me tell you something else, Nadine. You’re no sparrow. You’re just a deer.”
She blinked, frozen. Which maybe worked in her favor, because an ordinary woman would have no idea what he was talking about. To an ordinary woman, sparrow and deer were just things in a wood.
“Why do you care what he calls me? It doesn’tmeananything.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to prove you wrong.” He moved quickly. Before she could slide out of the way, his hand was around her neck. “Cal might have a light touch,” he said, squeezing for emphasis, “but don’t mistake that for mercy. He was quick enough to make you bleed when he thought it might keep you from me.”
“B-bleed?”
“You can’t trust him.” Ben’s voice was calm. “Whatever he promised you, it’s a lie.”
Nadine didn’t trust herself to respond. His large hand remained wrapped around her throat like a collar, his fingers just tight enough to feel like a threat.
“Did he tell you about the festival, Nadine?” He stroked his thumb over her pulse. “Did he promise to take you there? I bet he didn’t tell you what happens after, though.”
Nadine remembered Cal’s words—my father was going to give you to Ben.Had he seen Noelle as defective, and her as a potential replacement? She felt sickened and squirmed in his grip, digging the nails of her free hand into his wrist until he let her go with a hiss.
“So that’s what happened to Caledon’s back,” he said icily, making her flinch again. “You should know, you were never his first choice, darling. He only took you to get back at me.”
“That’s nottrue,” she said.
Ben gave her a coolly amused smile. “I guess we’ll see.”
“You’re the reason my sister went missing,” Nadine said, some of her anger seeping out last. “What makes you think I wouldeverwant to be with a creep like you?”
