"Mr. Barton, Miss Annabelle's not home," the young maid said, twiddling her thumbs and trying her best to act innocent. "Aunty Lily told her not to leave without your permission, but she said she can't put her personal work on hold for anything—or anyone—and just walked off."
She paused for effect, batting her lashes like she hadn't just snitched with full intent. "Honestly, sir... she's kind of... disrespectful. Not just to Aunty Lily, but to you as well."
The girl's sugary tone couldn't hide the envy laced in her voice. Like most of the mansion's young staff, she was secretly jealous. Annabelle wasn't just strikingly beautiful and whip-smart, but somehow she'd managed to catch the attention of the one man none of them had even dared to dream about—Richard Barton. Their aloof, intimidat
