A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews. It really does mean a lot. And if something isn't clear, please let me know. This really is a first draft, so I'm sure there are mistakes here and there, for which I do apologize. I don't usually just write and post things as I go, but this has been kind of fun.
I sent a servant to get me some more pain reliever from Cedric, because if Ian was watching, I did not want him to think I had immediately gone to the sorcerer. The servant returned with a smaller phial of the liquid and a message from Cedric that the potion was very addictive, so he would not give me as much as before. I frowned, angered by the message. He had no idea how badly my throat hurt. But I took the potion and lay down to nap.
A servant woke me in time to dress for supper. With the scarf carefully wrapped around my neck, I made my way downstairs to face Roland, Amber and Ian. Most of the meal was spent with Amber going over details of her wedding plans with her father and fiancé. Roland mainly nodded, unless there was something he thought would be a waste of money. Ian threw out names of people he wanted to invite.
"Have you decided where to have the wedding?" I asked during a quiet moment.
"Do not worry, Mother," Amber sneered. "Ian has persuaded me to have it in Kerth."
"Amber," Roland warned, and his daughter returned a searing look.
Ian laughed. Amber huffed and went back to her wedding details. Roland squeezed my hand, then let me go. Supper could not end soon enough.
Eventually, Amber and Ian excused themselves, leaving Roland and I alone. "Your grace?" Roland sighed and I corrected myself. "Roland?"
He smiled. "Yes, dear?"
"I…I was wondering if I might… Well, sometimes I get lonely and I was wondering if I might be able to bring a book to your study tomorrow and read while you work?" He frowned. "I promise I would not be in the way. And I'll be quiet."
"I sometimes get visitors throughout the day." I could see him mull it over while my gut churned. "I suppose. But if I ask you to leave, you must do as I say, no questions asked."
"Of course."
"What book are you reading?"
I was not ready for that question. "Nothing at the moment. I was going to look in the library. I used to read with James and have not really done so since-"
"I'll see you after your riding lesson tomorrow then," he cut off my dialogue. I was sure it was because I had mentioned James.
"Thank you, Roland." I reached out and touched his hand. "May I be excused?"
He stood and pulled my chair out for me, then pulled me into his arms. "I might just come spend the night with you, Sofia." He must have felt me stiffen because then his lips were below my ear. "I'll wait. I don't know how, but I'll wait."
Realization dawned upon me as I sought a book to read the next day that if I was successful with my ploy, especially on the first day, I would have to keep this up, or Roland might become suspect of my actions. Inwardly cursing Ian, I found a book, large enough to hide documents within it, and I slid it from the shelf and under my arm. I had read the book before, it was one James used to teach me, but it did not matter. This was not for my enjoyment.
Roland said to enter after I knocked on his door. He was in the process of writing something, so I settled in a chair and opened the book, waiting for him to possibly leave so I could search his desk. The whole afternoon was a waste. He never left, and eventually, I looked up to see him staring at me. He came over and kissed me, fondled me like he had before, leaving me breathless, and then he ushered me out of the room, making some excuse about a private meeting.
The day after that was more of the same and the two days after that. Ian found me before supper the fourth night and asked about my progress. I explained that I was trying, but had not had a chance. Ian smiled. "You have him wrapped around your finger, Sofia. From the way he's pursuing the servant girls, you must be driving him insane in that office."
"I don't understand."
Ian's right eyebrow raised. "You haven't lost your innocence, have you?" He laughed and I shook my head. "He's fucking the servants, Sofia."
My mouth formed an "O" and my face flushed red, which made Ian laugh more. "Roland doesn't usually take no for an answer, so whatever you have over him, it's working. I'm surprised you haven't been wedded and bedded already, or at least the latter."
"He's…he's been with other women?" I was becoming angry now.
"Don't act all jealous now. I thought you didn't even want him. Of course he's with other women. He's been with them before, and I'm sure he will be after you are married too, but from what the girls tell me, it sounds like he's been very frustrated lately, and much more aggressive." He cocked his head, his eyes going to my neck which was nearly bruise free. "But I guess you bring that out in him."
"You mean he will sleep with other women after we are married?"
"Sofia," he smiled. "I'm sure you'll be sleeping with the sorcerer after Roland tires of you. Don't deny it. The only difference is, Roland can let your sorcerer go. You cannot remove all the female servants." Ian became serious. "I'm getting tired of waiting though. Do what I told you, soon. Very soon."
I swallowed and nodded as he walked away.
The next afternoon, I had a chance. Roland's old friend Sir Gral and Baileywick were in the study with us, and though I tuned out most of the conversation, I did hear something about horses. Sir Gral invited Roland down to the stable to inspect the new Destrier Sir Gral had recently purchased. Roland agreed excitedly, and told me they would be back soon. I smiled and nodded, going back to reading and ignoring them.
Once they were gone, I counted to one hundred in case they would return for something, and then I went to work. All the drawers of Roland's desk were unlocked, but one, and those drawers contained nothing of importance to me. I was sure the locked drawer was the one I needed.
Trying the knife used to break seals did not budge the lock, nor did I find a key in any other drawer. I searched the room for something that might fit into the keyhole and still be able to jar it. I slipped into the adjoining sitting room, and then Roland's bedroom. Shivering at the sight of the bed where he had nearly strangled me to unconsciousness, I purposely looked away and began quickly opening drawers and cupboards. In the nightstand was a long, skinny dagger. I grabbed it, slammed the drawer shut, then ran back to the study.
It was successful. I was able to pry the lock open and pull the drawer out. Documents were filed and I removed bunches of them at a time, perusing them as quickly as I could for information that Ian might want. Toward the back were letters from other individuals. With no time to read them, I spread the rest of the papers out in the drawer so it was not evident that I took a bunch. Shutting the desk I realized there was no way I could lock it, but hoped that Roland would think he had just forgotten to lock it the next time he was in the study.
I stuffed the letters into my book and was about to take the dagger back to Roland's bedroom, but I heard his voice in the hall. Curling up in the chair, I slid the dagger in between the back cover and last page, and flipped back to where I was reading just before the door was opened.
Baileywick had not returned with Gral and Roland, but they were still excitedly discussing horses. I looked up and smiled at them, my heart racing in fear. Roland bent over and kissed me on the forehead before the men moved to the settee and another chair.
"You will be staying for supper?" Roland asked, though it was more a demand.
"I really should be getting back," Gral laughed.
"Nonsense. Lord Ian is here. I'm sure he'd like to hear about the horse as well."
"You are twisting my arm, Roland. Yes, I will stay. This includes spending the night?"
"Unless you want to ride home in the dark, possibly injuring your new prize possession. Of course it means you will stay the night. Sofia, dear, will you inform Baileywick that Gral will need be staying with us?"
"Yes, Roland." I shut the book tight and rose from the chair. "I will see you later, Roland, Sir Gral." Giving a small curtsey, I hurried from the room, hiding the book under my mattress before searching for Baileywick.
I was not able to find Ian but met both him and Amber as I was on Sir Gral's arm, walking into the dining room. Ian raised his eyebrow and I nodded curtly and looked away. Gral's presence at supper made the atmosphere lighter, as Amber played the perfect hostess and Roland was happy his old friend was staying. Gral was kind to me as well, more kind than any of Roland's other friends or acquaintances had been.
Later that night, after everyone had retired to their rooms, I woke to find Ian standing over my bed.
"Give them to me," he whispered. I slid from the bed, took the book from under my mattress and pulled out the letters.
"You'll give them back to me?"
"Yes," he said. "Tomorrow. Then you can replace them."
"I don't know when I'll be able to."
"You'll figure something out." With that, he was gone. The book was loose in my hand and the dagger fell from it. I replaced the dagger in the book and set it on my table hoping what I had done would buy me a little more time to take Michael, and run away with him. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I felt as if the world was resting upon my shoulders.