Chapter 24
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” she said, her voice soft and gentle.
“Oh, and why is that? I’ve been dreaming of such an opportunity. Not even Pasha’s elephants could have stopped me.”
“I can tell you’re suffering greatly, dear,” Esme said, staring into his eyes before turning to shuffle up the short hallway, leaving a stream of lavender scent in her wake. “I’m not sure how much help I can offer, but I thought some help would be better than nothing. Would you like some tea?”
Nathan wasn’t really a tea drinker, but at the moment he would’ve drunk anything if it meant he’d get closer to freeing himself from Leroy’s clutches.
“I’d love some,” he lied.
Esme put the kettle on. She moved with a grace that hinted at a past connected with dance. Even bent and withered there was a dignity about her, an aura of power that seemed at odds with her physical appearance.