22
ELENA
Just as I was getting ready to sleep, there was a knock at my door. Delma, waiting at the door, said, "Lord Andreas is waiting for you, my lady," and my heart leapt into my throat. I couldn't afford to turn him away. I shouldn't have insulted him on my way to him. Oh, my foolish head.
"Let me help you, he asked you to get ready..."
"I'll manage, Delma," I said.
"Yes, my lady."
After Delma left, I looked at myself. I wasn't going to dress up for him. I put on my simplest dress over the nightgown I had been sleeping in.
Trying to suppress the fear inside me, I crossed the hallway.
I knocked on the door, but there was no answer. When I entered, Andreas was standing in front of the fireplace. His face looked serious and tired. "Come, Elena," he said simply.
I approached h
