Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) (18 page)

Bruce and his men must be hunting for her. Would Ned be blamed? Robert told her she could stay here at Gwrych as long as she wanted. Or he’d find her a job and set her up in a flat wherever she chose. If anyone had made that offer a couple of days ago she’d have jumped at it. Now…well, not being afraid of Robert carried other consequences. Damn it, she wanted to be near him. Charming and old-fashioned in a nice way, she knew deep in her bones he could keep her safe. And her body certainly wanted him. The only question was did he feel the same? The guy was rich, immortal and gorgeous. Let’s see what did she bring to the table? Oh yes, she was homeless, jobless, hunted by the bad guys, poor, and average looking on her best day. Why would he be interested in someone like her?
Stop kidding yourself. He’s a good guy, he’s being nice and helping you and you are a nitwit if you think there could be something between you two. Right. And a tiger could date a bunny rabbit.

On that sour note, she blew out a sigh, stood and unpacked, her purchases taking up three of the dresser drawers. What did one wear to dinner in an old, moldy, castle? She was wearing nicer clothes than she’d ever owned so with a shrug, she decided not to change. The rest of her stuff, she took with her into the bathroom and placed on the counter. Dragging a brush through her tangles, she shook her head at the reflection. Spying the scarf Robert had used to tie her hair back, she picked it up and deftly fashioned a high ponytail. Didn’t help much, she still looked old. Tired and worn. Washing her face, she tried a small smile and jumped at the soft knock on the door and the voice on the other side. “Maggie, dinner’s almost ready.”

Breathing in deep, she tiptoed over to the door uttering a prayer for strength and opened it. “Great, I’m starved.” Good heavens, he looked like a movie star standing there. He’d changed into black wool trousers, a deep red silk shirt and his hair was loose around his shoulders. Revise that. The devil incarnate was more like it.

“You look lovely. Shall we?” As before, he offered his arm and escorted her down the hallway. “Thank you.” Walking arm in arm with him made her feel like someone important.

Her stomach clenched at the mouth-watering smells wafting towards them.
Oh my god, I smell citrus. Oranges.
Wiped the corner of her mouth to make sure she wasn’t drooling.

“What’s for dinner?” She barely noticed the furnishings as they descended the stairs to the second floor, turned down a hallway and came to double doors. Robert pushed them open. “Given your fondness for fruit. Stephan has prepared a few courses. We’ll start with grapes and cheese and crackers. May I offer you a glass of champagne?”

“Grapes. Red and green. Oh, yes, I’d love a glass. Sorry I was distracted.”

Would he think she was trashy if she dumped the platter of grapes onto her plate? Probably. Instead she only took a few of each color as he poured their drinks. There was a roaring fire flanked by several chairs in the pretty room. It was small but cozy and there were two massive doors on the other end leading to the dining room if she remembered correctly. Stuffing the grapes into her mouth she vibrated with pleasure. The sweetness popping in her mouth. Not caring what he thought, she took the tray of goodness over to a chair by the fire, ignoring his laughter. Scowling she turned to him, hands on her hips. “What? I’m hungry.”

The man walked over to her like a model on the runway. Fully aware of his appeal, he sat opposite her. “No need to scowl. I wasn’t laughing at you. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a woman enjoy fruit as much as you do.”

“I guess the woman you usually see have plenty to eat. I’m not like them.” Frost coated her words and she was surprised they didn’t crack and fall to the floor as they came out of her mouth.

“No, Maggie. You’re not like any of them. I…” He didn’t finish as Gareth entered the room. “Milord, Miss. Dinner will be served shortly.” Robert nodded to the man.

“What were you going to say?”

If she hadn’t been staring at his face she would have missed the fleeting look of horror before he hid it. “I was going to say, you’re not like other women and I’m glad of it. Now finish your grapes and let’s eat.” Glad. That was a good sign. Maybe he was interested in her? Her inner voice piped up. Quit acting like you’re his, he’s only doing what he’d sworn to—protect the human. To think she was only a job to him hurt more than she would have guessed.

Swallowing, she stood and said in her best fake cheerful voice. “I’m curious to see what else we’re having for dinner.”

Robert led the way, pushing the doors open. They had to be twelve-feet tall. The room was cozy with four chairs surrounding a round table. Each chair was covered in chocolate velvet and looked like you could fall asleep in it. He pulled out her chair and took the chair across from her. The table was set with a deep citron tablecloth with some type of jacquard print. There were crystal goblets on the table like the champagne glass she was holding. It looked like real silver though she’d never used sterling flatware so she wasn’t sure but it all looked horribly expensive. The dishes were cream colored with black and red and gold diamonds and vines around the border. Don’t break anything. These dishes must have cost more than what you made in a year waitressing.

The room was lit by sconces on the wall, candles were scattered across the sideboard and table, this was a room for lovers. Maybe he wanted to keep her out of sight? The thoughts were forgotten as a man came in bearing plates and a mouth-watering aroma reached her nose.

“Stephan. This is Maggie. Stephan is an amazing cook, among other things.” The man smiled at her. He looked to be in his early thirties with salt and pepper hair, a pockmarked face and a limp. Maybe five eight. Kind of like her…he looked like he’d lived a rough life. Might Robert be truly able to help her? Might he be attracted to her?

The plates were set in front of them as Stephan withdrew. Roast surrounded with potatoes and carrots. Fresh rolls, butter, and the fruit. Oh, the fruit. Would it be wrong to leap onto the table and snatch the platter like some wild thing? Rejecting the idea, she sat still letting her eyes take in the feast. The dish held pineapple, mango, papaya, pomegranates, and…oranges. She looked up into those bottomless dark blue eyes to find him holding her gaze.

As she dove in, drowning in his eyes, the irises deepened to the color of a moonless night telling her safety awaited if only she’d let go and fall, forget everything that had happened. No longer be afraid.

When he cleared his throat she felt the heat creeping up her neck, catching fire on her cheeks. “May I offer you some fruit?”

“Are you kidding? I might devour the entire plate.”

He chuckled and scooted the china platter across the table to her. While she took healthy servings of each fruit, he served her roast, veggies, a roll, and butter. With a longing look at her fruit, she decided she should eat the hot foods first. Well, after a bite of pineapple and mango…hell, after a taste of each. Juice dribbled down her chin and she reached up to wipe it but was blocked by a finger…his finger.

“Allow me, milady.”

Chills swirled around her spine hearing the gruffness in his voice. Ever so slowly he wiped the moisture, drawing the tip of his finger across her bottom lip, her stomach doing flip-flops while her brain raced in a thousand directions. Why couldn’t she read his face? Did he think she was a slob? It wasn’t that kind of look. It was a look of—hunger for lack of a better word.

Hell, it’d been so long since she’d been with a man, she couldn’t even decode the signals anymore. Not that she ever could. Whenever a guy was interested it always surprised the hell out of her.

“There. That’s better.”

Oh my gosh, as he pulled his finger away he put it in his mouth and sucked off the juice. Part of her, much lower south, tingled in anticipation. A tiger. That’s what he looked like as he smiled and speared his roast as if nothing out of the ordinary had taken place. A million questions filled her brain. Questions she’d never have the nerve to ask. Instead she picked up a wineglass he’d filled while she salivated over the fruit and drank, draining half the glass. It was a rose. She didn’t know anything about wine except if she liked it or not and this one tasted like summer. Maggie tried not to smack her lips or gulp the rest of it down. Following his lead, she ate her meat and veggies. They were very tasty but simply an excuse to move on to her beloved fruit. Growing up, she’d been lucky to have the odd apple or banana. There was never fruit for the taking.

Pushing her plate to the side, she pulled the fruit platter in front of her and piled the unused butter dish high. The pomegranate seeds, she spooned in a small dish. The small globes were a tart explosion in her mouth, the experience the equivalent of what she thought Christmas might be like. Taking a bite, she almost swooned at the delightful taste. Another sip of wine and she decided to ask one of her questions.

“Can you really help me? Bruce and the others must be looking for me. What if they find me?”

He put his fork down, sat back in his chair and pinned her with his gaze. “Maggie. I will help you. Might you want to stay here for a while?”

No, no, no. Didn’t want charity. Would earn her keep. “I can’t. I need to pay my own way. I don’t want your pity.”

“Why ever would you think I pity you? On the contrary. I think you are brave and strong and beautiful and fearless.”

Beautiful? Fearless, her? Were they talking about the same person? “Until we arrived here, I lived in fear pretty much every day of my life. I only ran because I’d rather die escaping than die alone in a dirty basement.”

“As I said, strong, brave and fearless. You may feel fear but you overcame it when you took the chance to run. Being fearless doesn’t mean not being afraid. It’s having the courage to make the hard choice. Something I think you’re rather good at.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

He waved her apology away. “Eat your fruit. To answer your other question, I’ve put the word out you were drowned in the sewers. If they are still on your trail, I’ll take care of each and every one of them. Don’t spare a thought for any of those despicable creatures. I will protect you. With me, you are safe.”

Could it be true? “Even from Solien?”

“Let the demon spawn try. I’ll relish cutting him to tiny pieces and feeding the fish.”

Thinking while she chewed, she stabbed another piece of mango. “Can we help Ned? The guy could have turned me in but didn’t. I met him when he worked at a hostel I used to crash at when I could afford it. It’s how I learned of the tunnels. I’d hate for anything to happen to him because of me.”

The look he shot her was razor sharp. “What is Ned to you? Boyfriend?”

Confused, she answered, “No. A friend, that’s all. I don’t want him to get hurt because he got caught up with them. The guy was never very smart and the offer of getting off the streets, a hot meal, and someplace safe to sleep would have been too good to resist.” He gave her a curt nod. “I never finished school so I’m probably not qualified for much but do you think I could help you save others?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“There are other places. Places like where I was held. I’ve heard Bruce talking. One night, Solien and Rawlins were in the living room talking while I cleaned the kitchen. They kept their voices low but I heard them say there were other houses used to lock away others like me. And buildings where they were experimenting with some kind of farms for humans. What they’re doing is wrong and I want to help stop them, however I can.”

Before he could reply, Gareth came in to clear their plates. The man was older than Stephan, his hair a silvery gray and friendly brown eyes that reminded her of a big, shaggy dog. On his right hand he was missing two fingers. The sun had weathered and lined his face like someone who’d lived their entire lives outdoors. Gareth reached out for the fruit plate.

“You can leave it, I’ll finish off the rest of the fruit, thanks Gareth.”

“As the lady wishes.” He winked at her. “Milord, shall I bring another bottle of wine and dessert?”

“Yes, I think Maggie will be ecstatic when she sees what you’ve made for dessert.”

As Gareth left, Robert had been staring off into the distance. He had a serious look on his face, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

“You know Maggie, if any other woman told me she wanted to help, there’s no way I would have let her.” Holding up a hand, he stopped her as she fumed and sat still, hands under her thighs. “But. You can strike where it would harm them most. I don’t want you going into any of these places, it’s too dangerous. However, I think you could be a tremendous asset to us in this war…though I have one condition that is nonnegotiable.”

Looking across the table at him, she was afraid to ask. What could he want of her that he would look so stern and forbidding? Fear and anger made her voice sound low, broken. “What’s your condition?”

“Safety first. Fully protected. Full room and board, a car at your disposal and generous pay—and you will live here at Gwrych. You may have an entire wing to yourself if you so wish. What say you, do we have an accord?”

Stephan brought in dessert, giving her time to think. It was a white mound piled high with…yep, fruit. Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

“Enjoy.” The plate was set in front of her with a flourish, chocolate drizzled on the white cloud stuff.

“Let me eat my dessert. I won’t be able to focus until I do, okay?”

“Woe to the man who stands between you and fruit. Remind me to show you the hothouse after dinner.”

Topped off her wineglass with more of the refreshing liquid, her head pleasantly buzzed. The last time she’d been tipsy was when she made her home on the streets. Never again though, it was too dangerous, you had to have your wits about you at all times or you’d end up dead.

The dessert was fantastic. The white cloud was crunchy and melted on her tongue. Mixed with the chocolate and berries. Well, heaven couldn’t be much better than this. What was that scratching noise? Oops, it was her, purring as she scraped the plate clean. Hearing laughter, she looked up as Robert slid another plate over to her. “Don’t worry I had them make extra.” She grinned at him. Why he looked so taken aback she didn’t know but couldn’t think about it, not with this temptation in front of her. Eve would have sold Adam out in a heartbeat for a taste of this concoction.