Hired as His Fake Fiancée

CHAPTER SEVEN: CUDDLING WITH THE HELP.

NORA

His grip was firm, but the warmth from his fur gloves made me want to linger. I tried to hide my comfort by clearing my throat.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Julian.”

‘Julian’ – the name rolled off my tongue too easily. How could a man who looked like that be a stable manager? He had strong blue eyes and blonde hair that crept out from underneath the beanie he was wearing.

He was well covered; it made me think more of the flimsy dress and coat I had on. I should have known better. It's not like it's my first time in the city.

“Same here, Ms Nora,” he said, letting go of my hand.

“Oh, please call me Nora.” The pressure of being here was enough to want to escape from reality.

“Nora,” he said with a small forward head tilt, and I smiled, trying to return the energy across his face. “Do you like horses?”

“I actually haven’t thought about it before.” A small chill ran down my back. I had been so sure that the coat I had thrown on was going to be enough to keep me warm.

“I mean, they don't exactly have horses where I am from, so…”

He smiled with a nod, his head going down as if he had been embarrassed. “Right, yeah! Sorry, I asked.”

“Don’t be sorry.” I turned back to the horse, running my hands through the mane once again. “What’s her name?”

This was the most normal interaction I have had all day; I won't allow it to be ruined by some silly rules.

“Duchess”

“Oh, she is a she?” I asked, looking down, not sure what I was searching for. When I turned to him slightly, he nodded.

“Do you want to go for a ride?”

My hand dropped to my side as I pulled my coat together and shivered once again, the coat barely covering me.

“Not tonight; I don’t think it would be wise if I went tonight.”

“You are right,” he said with a nod and smile. “It’s always very chilly this time of the year. So tell me, what brings you to the King estate?”

I bit the inside of my lip. Did he not know, or was he trying to see what I'd say? Surely the maids at the table would have spread the news far and wide so that everyone else could hear.

“I am Gabriel’s fiancée,” I explained.

For a second, I was sure that he was judging me with the way his eye ran up and down my body. But then it broke, and his eyes met mine.

“Congratulations.”

I stayed still for a moment, trying to figure out why he was congratulating me, until I realised that for others, it was good news to be engaged.

“Thanks.” I tried to hide my uncertainty. If only it were true.

“Do you want a cup of hot chocolate? It would help with your chills.” I nodded, and he turned. I followed behind him like I was some kind of child being led away.

He pushed open a half-door like the ones in the stables, and it showed an office space. It had a small table in the corner and two chairs behind it, which meant that he either entertained a lot of guests here or had to share the office.

There were stacks of hay in the corner and some feeding troughs on them. My eyes ran through the small office gently until they landed on him, who was now standing in front of me.

“Welcome to my office.” He gestured to the room.

“Oh my goodness, it’s so cute.” The words slipped before I could control them. I pushed my jacket down and cleared my throat. “I…i…ju…i…just mean that…”

“You don’t have to explain yourself.”

He pointed out the chair, and I understood him at once, settling into it. He took a stainless steel warmer and poured a cup of whatever was in it. I took it from him.

The ceramic mug was very different from every surface I had touched in the King house today, including the toilet seat. How I wished I were getting such treatments inside the house.

“How have you been finding the estate so far?”

I raise my eyebrow and turn to him. Was he asking me that so he could tattle to his masters, or was he genuine?

He leaned in; the smell of old leather and hay filled my nose. “I am asking because I am curious.”

“Not because you are going to tattle to the Kings?” I asked, trying to lighten the air.

“Of course not.” He shook his head gently.

“It’s not what I am used to, but I am sure I’d survive,” I said, and he nodded once again.

“Just so you know, if you ever need an escape, the stables are always open, and I can teach you how to ride one of them.”

“You’d do that?” He shrugged with a smug smile on his face. “Thank you, really.” I took the glass to my mouth, feeling the warmth of the drink blast against my skin.

“So, where are you from? Around or a long way from home?” I turned to him slowly; the gaze was obviously uncomfortable, and he shifted multiple times in his seat. “I just meant to ask what your family is like.”

“Pretty much like the people here,” I said.

I had never wanted to call them family, but it didn't change the fact that they were my only family.

“You don’t seem to like them.” It was my turn to shrug.

“Everyone has their problem, so…” I trailed off into silence. I was not supposed to be talking about them, and not to a stranger, for that matter.

“You are still shivering.”

He turned his seat fully to me. He took off his coat and draped it over my shoulders. “That should keep you warm,” he murmured gently before getting back into his seat.

“If you are uncomfortable, just say the word.”

“Nora!?” Gabriel’s voice made my head snap, and his attempt to help me get warmer failed. Gabriel was here? Looking for me? Why?

"Our room now!" he snapped.

We both stumbled to our feet, and my mouth opened and closed several times. He just stretched his hand to me, and I moved to him, taking it without shame, the rules ringing in my mind. We had to put on a good show from start to finish.

“Mr King, I…” He barely allowed Julian’s words to register before he pulled me away.

From the stables to the room, he was quietly seething with anger as he pulled me. I tried to match his pace, stumbling over my foot a few times, but not falling over because he gripped me.

“Nora? You aren’t supposed to be cosying up with the help.”

“Cosying up with the help? I was cold, and he was helping me.”

“What were my family supposed to say if they saw my fiancée cuddling up with the help? You’d give Evelyn a good reason to ruin this.”

I knew it was all a contract to him, so why did it still hurt now?

“Whatever bloody hell they want to.” I blinked rapidly.

I was standing up to Gariel, and it didn't feel good! Ugh! Why was my life always so complicated?

“You are a king, Nora!” he muttered, closing the distance between us. The contrast between how he smelt and Julian was jarring. This was explosive, throwing me into the whirlwind.

“I am not a king!” 'I declared, raising my chin to meet his eyes. “I am the help in a pretty dress.”

I took a step back and fled to the toilet. This was not supposed to be happening. Nothing was supposed to be happening. I stared at myself in the mirror and ran my hands through my hair.

“Oh well, nice job! Nora! You’ve pissed off Gabriel.”