Chapter 3

Angelique couldn't seem to keep her mind off Barnabas. She had been told off several times by the Housekeeper for daydreaming when she was supposed to be working.

She tried to keep her mind on task but then she would think of his eyes, or his smile or his voice… and she would be lost in daydreams again.

Which was exactly what she was doing one morning when she was polishing the silver… or supposed to be anyway. Angelique had been polishing the same spoon for ages as she tried to remember exactly his voice sounded saying her name. She wondered how it would sound in the heat of passion... whispering her name, calling her name… crying out her name….

She was so caught up in the fantasy that she didn't even hear the soft footsteps behind her as someone entered the room.

It wasn't until they cleared their throat that she heard them. She whipped around, scattering the silverware with a loud clatter as her arm caught the box and knocked it off the table.

She felt heat rise in her cheeks as she came face to face with the man she had just been fantasizing about.
"I am sorry if I startled thee…" he said apologetically as he saw the flush of her cheeks and the embarrassment on her face.
"That is quite alright" she said, crouching down to pick up the cutlery she had scattered.
"Allow me to assist you…" he said, crouching down and starting to pick up the cutlery. She looked at him and smiled. Her traitorous heart gave a little flutter as he smiled back.

They continued to gather the silverware, getting closer and closer as they picked up the last of it.
Their eyes met again as they got close enough to touch… or to kiss. She knew she should by all means look away but she was caught in his dark eyes.

He felt his pulse speed up at her closeness. Up this close she was even more beautiful… even more tempting. He couldn't help his eyes straying downward to the lovely curves visible over the neckline of her dress.

When his eyes flicked back up to hers she was still staring at him, those oh so kissable lips curved in a smile. Obviously she didn't mind him looking.
Her lips parted slightly as he slowly leaned in towards her.
Their lips were inches from each other when the moment was broken the shrill voice of the housekeeper calling her name.
Both of them pulled back as they heard the sound, sheepish expressions on their faces.
"Coming…" she called out, standing up and quickly putting the last of the silverware in the box.

He watched as she quickly walked out of the room, unable to suppress a feeling of disappointment.


Later that day she was doing laundry with another maid.
As the started to fold the clothes the other maid turned to her with a cheeky grin. "So what is going on with you and the young master?" they said.
Angelique kept her face deliberately innocent. "Nothing is going on between me and Barnabas…" she said.
"But you would like there to be… huh?" the other maid said impishly.

Angelique avoided her eyes, continuing to sort the laundry. "What makes you say that?" she said casually.
"Oh come on Angelique. Whenever you think no one is looking your eyes are all over him" the maid said with a grin.

Angelique sighed. "Am I that obvious?" she said, her tone suggesting she didn't really want to know the answer.
"Anyone who watches you closely can see you're in love with him…" the girl pointed out. "I would be careful there though…" she added.

Concern flickered over Angelique's face. "Careful… why?" she asked.

"Because he is the kind of man who will charm his way into your bed… then quickly cast you aside…" the other maid said bluntly.

Angelique flushed slightly, turning back to the washing. "You're wrong about him…" she said softly.

The other maid gave her a look that suggested she thought her naive. "Say for a minute that I'm wrong… he's still the Lord of the manor… and you are a maid. He couldn't marry you… even if he wanted to…"