“Are you done?” I asked, annoyed.
“Can we not get into it here, Miss Mills?”
“I’m sorry, but all I did was?—”
He softened. “I’m having a rough morning. I am sorry for getting short, but I don’t want to be bothered right now.”
“Bothered?” I asked, annoyed. “Sorry, I’ll be a good little maid and ignore you, then. You can stew in your bad mood.”
He pulled me into the seat by him and kept his voice low, “Ella, I adore you, but you just called meDuncan.”
I turned beat red. Idid,didn’t I? But that was his name. And in my bed the night before, he had beenjustDuncan or whatever insult I lurched at him to his sheer pleasure. The man loved to be denigrated. Right now, though, I’d overstepped and was reminded of my place. I understood, but hated it.
“I’m sorry,” I fought tears. “I’ll just?—”
I stood, brushing past.
“Miss Mills?—”
I ignored his call, pretending the jet noise made it hard to hear his pleas.
I pulled myself into the lav and locked the door. I rolled up my dress, pulled down my panties, and sat down. Before me, spotting reminded me that this daycouldget worse.Fuck! I wasn’t supposed to start my period for another week. Annoyed, I peed and headed back to my purse to find tampons.
“Ella—”
Duncan reached for me at the worst time.
I pulled his hand from my wrist, “It is Miss Mills, Your Royal Highness.”
I brushed away, grabbed my purse, and returned to the toilet where I did the best I could. I had miserable cramps all morning that I chocked up to stress and this wasn’t making it better. I dabbed tears and left the toilet to find Duncan waiting.
“Do youwantto get us in trouble?” I asked, voice low. “For someone?—”
“Can we just… not fight?” He looked exhausted. “I talked to you like a member of staff and I’m sorry.”
I crossed my arms. “Well, Duncan Iama member of staff.”
“Ella, please,” his face was sad. “Today, is hard… for reasons… and… I don’t want to fight. What is going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“No, you’re right. I’m bloated and short with you,” I answered.
He cocked his head. “What? Why?”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to talk about this with you.”
“What?”
Was he dumb or just trying to embarrass me?
“Duncan, I am not getting into it. It’s embarrassing and gross. Just know we’re not... there’s no…”
He shook his head. “If you don’t tell me?—”
“My period got here early,” I whispered, mortified but wanting this to be over.
