Dragon Thief Box Set

Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Something tickled my cheek. I wrinkled my nose and swatted at the air. The persistent annoyance returned and again teased my cheek skin. I rolled over and buried my face in my pillow as a few muffled words escaped me. “Go away, fly…”

A soft but very deep chuckle was my reply. “So, they are where you come from, as well.”

My eyes shot open, and I bolted up so fast that the top of my head knocked into a stray arm. What it held clattered onto the bedsheets beside me, and I found it was a quill pen with an exceptionally beautiful azure blue feather.

I looked up to discover that the count stood at the side of my bed with those devilish blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “Good morning, Millie.”

I turned around to face the foot of the bed and plopped my butt down. “You forgot the honorific this time.”

He inclined his head to me. “My sincerest apologies. I’ll be sure to remember it from now on.”

I snorted. “You won’t get a reply from-” At that moment, I noticed his attention was attracted to a place lower than my face. I looked down and my cheeks reddened.

I’d forgotten I’d removed my dirty shirt the night before. A yelp escaped me as I snatched the sheets and yanked them up to chin level.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner!” I snapped at him.

He folded his arms over his chest and shook his head. “I didn’t want to embarrass her ladyship by bringing up her unmentionables, though I must admit they are rather worth mentioning.”

My whole head felt on fire and my hands shook. “You… you pervert!”

It was at that moment that the door opened, and Tully slipped in bearing a tray of food and drink. He paused at my outburst and raised an eyebrow.

“It’s nothing, Tully,” Castle assured him as he hurried over and took the tray. “Merely a game we’re playing.”

“I didn’t sign up for that game…” I darkly mumbled.

Tully’s other eyebrow rose up, but Castle gave him an almost sheepish smile. “If you could have the small carriage ready for us in a half hour. And hitch Ferox to it.” Tully’s eyes flickered between us, but he bowed his head and left. Castle spun around to face me with a wide grin. “Now for some breakfast.”

He took one step toward me, but I stabbed the floor where my shirt was. “Not until you hand me that.”

He strode over to my shirt and gave it a nudge with the side of his shoe. A frown creased his lips. “This is filthy.”

“And it’s all I have,” I insisted as I wiggled my fingers at him. “Now hand it over.”

“It may be all you have,” he returned as he strode over to the bed and set the tray beside the snuffed-out candelabra. His smile returned as he half-turned and used an arm to gesture to a small door in the wall. “But I have more than that.”

I lifted an eyebrow and watched with curiosity as he moved over to the door. The scent of fresh fruit and toasted bread wafted over my nostrils. With his back turned I snatched a piece of buttered bread from the tray. I had consumed the slice before he even stepped into the closet.

“Now let us see what we have here,” he mused as he rummaged through the shadowed interior. “Ah-ha. This should work, provided my eye for sizes hasn’t diminished.”

He turned to me and held up a white blouse. The sleeves and neck were frilled, and the silver buttons were ornately crafted. He strode back to me with a proud smile as he draped it over the sheets that covered my legs. “What do you think?” I reached out to rub the smooth-looking material, but a few errant bread crumbs stuck to the end of my fingers. Castle watched me with amusement as I hurriedly flicked them away. “I see you approve of Tully’s cooking.”

I swallowed the remains of the bread in my mouth and nodded. “It’s pretty good, but I’m hungry enough to eat a horse.”

He chuckled. “I may regret requesting my best horse for our drive.”

I grabbed another piece of toast and took a big bite. “Just give me time to finish all of this and your horse will be safe.”

Castle stepped back, crossed one arm over his chest, and swept himself into a low bow. “Then I will allow you some peace to do so. When you’re finished you may find me in the foyer. And don’t forget the ribbon and stick.”

“Wait a minute,” I called to him as I looked around. “Where’s my pants?”

Castle clapped a hand over a pair of trousers that were draped over the nearby chair. They weren’t my pants. “These will work for the present.”

I frowned at him. “So will my old pants.”

“Not all the soldiers are simpletons. They’ll recognize your clothes as well as your face, so it’s best to change everything. You needn’t fear they won’t fit you. I had Tully cut them to size last night. See you downstairs.”

He slipped out of the room, taking care to shut the door behind himself. I leapt on the tray like a starving tiger, and in a few minutes, the tray was a wasteland of crumbs and a stained empty glass. Now I turned my attention to the shirt.

I lifted the shirt up in both hands and inspected the fine material. There wasn’t a stitch out of place or a button slightly askew. “Must have cost a fortune…” I murmured as I flung aside the sheets and swung my legs off the side of the bed.

I slipped the shirt on and marveled at the smoothness of the cloth against my skin. The whinny of a horse, however, brought me back to the matter at hand, namely that I had a date with a handsome count.

“Shouldn’t keep the count counting down the seconds,” I mused as I hopped to my feet. I snatched the ribbon from the nightstand and jumped into the new pants. They fit like a glove and were as soft as the shirt. I hurried past my discarded shirt and snatched up the broom I had set beside the door. Out in the hall, I had a moment’s confusion, but I found my bearings and hurried down the corridor to the stairs. I paused on the top step and looked up the higher flight. All was quiet but for that ticking noise I’d heard the previous night. A thought struck me, and I peeked down the lower stairs. There was no sign of Castle, and surely there was still a few more minutes for Tully to harness the horses.

I set my foot on the first step of the higher and the boards creaked beneath my weight. The noise made me pause and wince.

A hand clapped on my shoulder, and I gave a shriek. I spun around, too quickly as it turned out, and my heel hit the front face of a step. I would have toppled over if that same hand hadn’t caught my arm and arrested my fall. Now I faced my savior, and I found myself staring into the disapproving face of Tully.

I gave him a sheepish grin. “H-hi. Is something wrong.”

His eyes pointedly flickered up to the third-floor landing before they returned to me.

That single motion spoke a thousand words. “I was just wondering what was up there.”

“Is something the matter?” came Castle’s voice as he climbed the lower half of the steps below us. His head soon appeared through the banister, and he stopped with one foot on the second-floor corridor so he could take in the view. “Tully, that’s rather an uncomfortable position for our guest. Set her down.”

Tully righted and released me before he took a step back. I fumbled with the waist hem of my new shirt. “It’s not his fault. I was trying to sneak a peek at the third floor when I tripped. He caught me before I dropped onto the steps.”

Castle raised an eyebrow. “I see. Then I, too, am to blame. I forgot to mention last night that the third floor is off-limits. The structure has had too many renovations over the years and some parts of it aren’t quite as stable as they should be.”

Some of the color drained from my face. “It’s not going to fall down on us, is it?”

His smile slipped onto his lips. “No, but walking on the third floor could have you ending up on the second, should you discover some of the more improperly installed boards.” He dropped his attention to the broom in my hand. “We’ll have to mind that staff, as well. The soldiers undoubtedly have a description of it, and even with the added bristles it’s still quite unique.”

I grasped the broom in both hands and studied the intricate handle. “The ribbon won’t hide it?”

He shook his head. “I’m afraid not. It only affects a person’s features. Not even your attire can be changed.”

I furrowed my brow. “So how do I hide it?”

Castle studied the stick for a moment before his eyes widened. “I have an idea, but we’ll need to go to the front door.” He offered me his arm and a sly smile. “Are you ready to go?”