Evening settled over Cedar Ridge, and Aidan sat in his study, restless. Work refused to hold his focus. He reached for a bottle of whisky, thinking a drink might help, but the image of Millie in that maid uniform flickered through his mind and soured the idea.
On impulse, he left the study and crossed the quiet mansion toward the staff quarters. Outside Millie’s room, he hesitated, then knocked.
Inside, Andrea’s head snapped up. Millie, halfway through changing, froze as Andrea hurried to the door and pulled it open.
The surprise on their faces matched his.
“Good evening… ladies,” Aidan said, his voice awkward with Andrea standing there. His gaze shifted to Millie. “I, uh, need something. Could you bring food to my room, Ms. Foster?”
Andrea, catching the tension, stepped in. “She’s ex
