Chapter twenty three

"Avery – Laura and I are going to start cleaning the last bedroom. Are you almost done in here?" Nadine stuck her head in the doorway of the bedroom.

"Aye." Avery nodded as she unfolded the sheet in her hand. "I just need to finish making the bed and I'll join you."

She snapped the sheet over the bed and tucked it in firmly around the mattress. Tristan was a constant thought in her head, and her stomach twisted a little. She had seen very little of him for the last five days. The first few nights she had lain awake for hours in her cold bed, wondering if he would come to her and knowing she would not turn him away if he did. He had honoured her decision though and kept away from her. She alternated between cursing herself for telling him no when he had asked her to share his bed and reminding herself it would only have made it more difficult when the time came that he sold her to another.

He had been spending his days with Sophia, Victoria and his mother, and Avery couldn't help the thread of jealousy that shot through her veins.

"Stop it, girl," she scolded herself fiercely. "He will marry Victoria and that's the end of it." She tucked the bed sheets in with renewed vigor.

"Hello, Avery."

She jumped and whirled around, her hand clutching nervously at the low neckline of her blouse as she stared at Hendrick. "My lord, you scared me."

He smiled easily at her, his teeth flashing, and stood in front of her. "Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you."

She folded her arms across her torso. His eyes drifted down to her full breasts and he grinned again when she moved her arms over her chest.

"You're really very lovely. Did you know that, Red?" He reached out and brushed his thumb across her mouth.

She backed away, picking up the top sheet and shaking it out in front of her. "Thank you, my lord."

She placed the sheet on the bed as he stepped closer and took her arm. "Stop please, I wish to speak with you."

She turned back to him, plastering a polite smile on her face. "Yes, m'lord?"

He smiled and pulled her into his arms, putting one hand firmly against the small of her back and stroking her long hair with the other. He was the exact same height as her and she squirmed nervously as he tipped his head toward hers.

He ran his hand over her cheek and then traced her collarbone with the tips of his fingers. "Touching you is very pleasant. I wonder what it feels like to kiss you."

He dipped his head and placed a soft kiss on her mouth. He released her mouth and stared at her. He was breathing heavily and there was a dazed look in his eyes.

"Gods, I've never felt anything like it," he muttered and then kissed her again.

He probed her closed lips with his tongue, but she refused to open them. After a moment, he murmured, "Open your mouth, Red."

She shook her head and then shrank back at the fleeting look of anger in his eyes.

"Open your mouth," he repeated, his hand tightening painfully on her long hair.

She stared silently at him and his brow darkened with anger. "I will not ask you again, Red.

Open your mouth."

"Gods be damned, Avery. What's taking you so long to make the bed?" Laura stuck her

head into the bedroom.

Avery yanked free of Hendrick's grip and ran to the door. "Sorry, Laura. I'm finished here."

Without looking at Hendrick she took Laura's arm and dragged her from the room. ** *

"Maya?" Avery knocked on the door of the nursery and then peeked inside. "Marian said you were looking for me."

Maya grinned at her. "Aye. You must braid and pin my hair for me and then I'll do the same for you." She pulled Avery into the room and danced around excitedly in her white nightgown. "Oh, Avery, I'm so excited! A party with music and dancing – it's been so long."

Sophia giggled and wrapped her small frame around Avery's leg. "Do I look pretty, Avery? Papa bought me a new dress."

"Let me see." She stood back and examined the little girl carefully. She was wearing a soft pink dress with lace on the collar and cuffs, and Maya had pinned the sides of her hair back. It fell to the middle of her back in a long dark cascade and her dark eyes were sparkling.

"You will be the prettiest girl in the room." She smiled down at the little girl.

"I know," Sophia said and both Maya and Avery laughed.

Avery braided Maya's hair and Maya smiled at her in the mirror. "Have you met the Tomlins

yet, Avery?"

Avery shook her head. "No. Mrs. Lanning had us scrubbing and cleaning right up until the

last moment. I had just finished my bath when Marian told me you were looking for me." She wound Maya's braid around her head and carefully pinned it. "Have you met them?"

Maya nodded. "Aye, and the Bartons as well."

"What were they like?"

"The Tomlins were a rowdy bunch. They have three teenage boys and two younger

daughters. Mrs. Tomlin looks," she hesitated, "very tired."

Avery grinned at her as Maya stood and pushed Avery into the chair. "Your turn." She

brushed through Avery's damp hair and braided it carefully.

"What about the Bartons?"

Sophia leaned against Avery's knee and watched fascinated as Maya braided. "They're an

older couple. They have a son who is about my age I believe. Mrs. Barton was very kind. She spoke to me almost as an equal."

"They are Lycans?" Avery stroked Sophia's soft hair.

"Aye. I guess lord Tristan has known them for many years. In fact, the Bartons live not ten miles from here and the Tomlins are only half a day's ride."

Avery stiffened a little. They were the Lycan families Tristan had mentioned to her. She took a deep breath and vowed to make a good impression.

Maya finished pinning her hair and squeezed her shoulders. "There. Now, let's get dressed."

Avery looked down at her plain white blouse and black skirt. Many of the other slaves, especially those who had been in Tristan's household for years, had acquired nicer clothing over the years. Avery had nothing to wear but what had been bought for her by Marian and Mrs. Lanning at the village close to Tristan's home. She had washed and pressed her outfit carefully and although it fit her well enough, it was a far cry from the expensive silk dresses she had worn to parties thrown by her father. Still, they were the nicest pieces of clothing she owned, and it felt good to be in something other than her work clothes.

"Maya, I am already dressed," she said as her baby sister skipped to the door that led to the large closet in the nursery. She disappeared inside and returned carrying two long, black bags. She laid them carefully across her bed and motioned for Avery to join her.

She pulled the zipper down on the closest bag and slipped the dress out. Avery sucked in her breath. The bodice was a dark green that gradually faded in colour, leaving the long, full skirt a shimmering light green. Avery reached out and ran her fingers along the fabric. It was silky soft, and she smiled delightedly at Maya.

"It's beautiful. Here, I'll help you put it on."

Maya grinned. "Oh, it's not for me. It's for you. Marshall bought me this one." She pointed to the other bag.

Avery gaped at her. "What?"

Maya lifted the dress carefully from the bag. "It's for you. Marshall picked it up in town when he and Leo went for the groceries."

"Where on earth would Marshall get that kind of money? This dress had to have cost a fortune."

Maya laughed. "Marshall didn't buy it, silly. Lord Tristan did."

Avery sat down on the bed, staring at Maya in stunned silence.

"Before they left, lord Tristan gave Marshall some money and told him to buy a dress for

you. A dress that would match your eyes, he said. Marshall asked me for your dress size." Sophia ran her small hand over the fabric as Maya beckoned to Avery. "Come, let's get you

into it."

"Maya, I cannot wear that. You know I cannot. If the others see me in this dress they will -" "Gods be damned, Avery!" Maya suddenly burst out impatiently. "Who cares what the

others think? Lord Tristan wants you to wear this dress and you will. Now take off that dreadful shirt and skirt."