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Inside, I had to ask a young woman busy scrubbing the floor for directions to my room. She stopped her task and took me there herself, chattering the whole way about the plans that had been made in my absence. Apparently there was to be a party the next night in honor of Grey’s return, and she was to serve at it.
“Wouldn’t you rather attend than serve?” I asked.
“Me? Attend?” She threw her head back and laughed, a light, merry sound at odds with her words.
I considered pressing the matter or asking further questions, but after all my interactions in the market there seemed little point. Especially when her continued chatter revealed she had only been working at the manor for a month. Apparently all the staff changed regularly, a necessity if the Constantines wanted to keep the population at arm’s length.
I half-expected lunch to be the same formal affair as breakfast, but instead I was served a meal on a tray in my room. I wasn’t especially hungry after what I’d eaten at the market, and it wasn’t long before I lapsed into severe boredom. I would have thought it impossible to feel so restless given the danger of the situation, but apparently an empty room and nothing to do produced the same effect regardless of any looming peril.
Eventually I escaped to the gardens, my boredom instantly lifting when Phoenix came speeding toward me. He must have been busy hunting or exploring our new surroundings when I left for the market, but he had clearly been on the watch for me since.
Calmed by his familiar weight on my shoulder, I wandered through the ordered, sculpted gardens which circled the manor. When I reached a collection of rose bushes that were surrounded by a tall hedge, I paused and sat on a well-positioned bench. I obviously wasn’t the only one to enjoy the artificial haven, but I couldn’t deny it felt like a relief to be out of sight of the staring windows of the manor house.
I had barely begun to relax, however, when I heard a rustling in the hedge behind me. Whirling, I saw a bundle of orange and white fur pushing through the leaves.
“Ember!” I scooped her up and held her close. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with Nik!”
She looked up at me with her dark, liquid eyes, and my heart melted. But at the same time, I couldn’t risk keeping her at the manor. Grey would definitely recognize her and question her presence.
Footsteps sounded on the gravel path, and I jumped to my feet, trying to hide Ember with my skirts. But only one person rounded the hedge, gazing in wonder at the profusion of roses.
“Ida,” I exclaimed in relief. “What are you doing here?”
“We’ve been bringing supplies up from the ship, and someone said we’re free to look around the gardens. They’re so beautiful!”
She still bore the shining look of hope from earlier in the day, and I wondered what interactions she’d had with the locals.
“How are you finding it so far?” I asked cautiously.
“It’s wonderful!” She sighed in deep satisfaction. “Everything is so beautiful and peaceful.”
“Has anyone asked you any questions or shown any interest in you?” I asked.
“None whatsoever.” She sounded delighted.
My heart squeezed. What had Ida experienced in the past that she found a complete lack of interest from anyone to be a delightful prospect?
But her words gave me an idea.
“Are you staying at the manor for the afternoon?”
She shook her head. “I’m about to head back to my host’s house now that I’ve seen the gardens.”
I stooped and picked up Ember, holding the fox out to the older woman. “Would you be willing to look after Ember for me?”
“Your fox?” Ida took her willingly enough, and to my relief Ember didn’t protest either. “I didn’t realize she was with you.”
I nodded. “She came on the ship.” I spoke the words matter-of-factly, as if there was nothing interesting about the situation.
Hopefully she wouldn’t ask any questions—and neither would her hosts. With everyone so uninterested in the newcomers, I didn’t think anyone would make a fuss about a single fox.
Ida wasn’t a healer, but I’d had a feeling she would be good with animals, and it was clear I was right. From the way she was already fussing over Ember as she walked away, I should be worried Ember might never want to come back to me.
Phoenix pecked at my ear, and I scolded him loudly.
“Don’t worry,” I reassured him. “It’s only for a little while. We’ll get Ember back soon.”
He settled slowly, ruffling his feathers, one of his eyes trained on Ida’s disappearing figure.
