The maid

omed to the house's labyrinth of rooms, corridors, and secret passages. Every morning, she polished the countless mirrors, dusted the antiques, and scrub

d times-sometimes during breakfast, other times as she was dusting the grand library. Each encounter was brief, but his eyes always held hers a secon

ly amplified the thoughts swirling in her mind. She wandered into the room, where shelves upon shelves of books stretched up toward the ceiling. A fire

he collection. It was a sanctuary of knowledge, of stories untold. She felt a str

eace was s

her heart leaping into her throat. She kne

ers, and the heat in his gaze was unmistakable. He didn't say anything at first, just stood there, watching her

his voice low and smooth. There was a dangerous edge t

ude," Victoria said qui

In fact, I'm glad you're here." He moved closer, his eyes never l

th went

his body. His hand reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. The touch was light, almost teasing, but

he whispered, his breat

She didn't trust herself to speak, to admit the

moment longer before he pulled away, leavin