They were supposed to be back a couple days after they left, but nearly a week later there was still no sign of Jens and the others. Jamie was getting restless, but at least he was more social. He and Mace spent some time getting to know each other, bonding over making arrows for Jamie’s quiver. It didn’t dawn on me until then that it actually did matter if Jamie got along with my new family member, since the prince and I were stuck with each other.
Brenda motioned me into the kitchen, where Viggo was waiting for me. He greeted me with a bow, which I knew I’d never get used to. “Miss Lucy, Master Foss is taking longer than expected to return, and we’re running low on a few things around the property. With your permission, I’d like to go into town and purchase what we need.”
I shrugged, and then it dawned on me that he needed my blessing to even leave the property. “Sure, V. Do you need anything from me?”
He dimpled at the nickname. “Only to know if you would like anything added to the list.”
“Um, well, I noticed Foss’s boots are wearing kinda thin around the toes and the soles. Is that normal? Or does he need a new pair and is too stubborn to admit the ones he’s got need to be tossed?”
Viggo looked down on me with appreciation. “Excellent. I’ll make sure to pick up a pair for him. If you can get him to actually give up his old boots for the new ones, I’ll believe you’re the siren everyone says you are.”
“Look at you, being a good wife,” Mace teased. He and Jamie were red-faced from corralling the horses outside. “Foss is a lucky man.”
“Indeed,” Jamie joked, donning the only relaxed smile I’d seen on him in days. “This is your chance to get whatever you’ve always wanted, Lucy. Foss is quite wealthy.”
I grinned, tapping my fingers together as I plotted. “I noticed there’re no window dressings in his room, just shutters. Perhaps something in pink? Nice and frilly.”
Viggo shook his head. “I’m certain he’ll have something to say about that.”
“Would that thing be, ‘Lucy darling, those curtains were the one thing missing from my life. Now that my room is all pink, I can let loose my feminine side. Brenda, make me a red dress in my size, so I can match my beautiful wife.’” I clasped my hands together. “Oo! Can you get underwear in his size dyed pink? He super needs those.”
Mocking the master was a scandalous thing for the servants, but since I was the one doing it, they relished in the laughter, as if the joke were something delicious and dangerous to partake of.
I nodded, firm in my rule. “Pink curtains, at least. The girlier, the better.”
The day passed much like the others, and I was actually beginning to relax in Foss’s house. With each day, I became more comfortable with the routine.
On the tenth day, however, I was getting worried. I put on a smile for the staff during dinner. I’d had to force Jamie out of his room, not willing to let him slip back into his depression and distance.
Mace did his usual song and dance of lurking around my room until I kicked him out. It was sweet, but I knew Jens would throw a fit. Plus, I was in love with the giant mattress for just me and Henry Mancini.
Erika stoked the fire for me and unpinned my hair, which she’d fastened up so it gave the appearance I had buckets of tresses, but just pinned back. She’d helped me get dressed for bed, since apparently, that was something that required two people. I wore a red nightgown that was fitted around my breasts, but hung loose to the floor with capped sleeves that were, let’s face it, totally cute.
Erika bundled up my dress from the day to wash when she did laundry next. “You poor thing. Newly married, and Master Foss leaves already. He’s an important man, but still. Probably not the honeymoon you dreamed of.”
“Total bummer.” I tried to look sad, but it was a bad act. I was too comfortable on the huge mattress. It had to have been a California king size, at least.
She sat on the edge of my bed with a conspiratorial air about her as I laid back on the pillow. “Do you think he got you pregnant?”
And just like that, I was wide awake. I sat up and subconsciously touched my stomach. “Probably not. No. Maybe when he gets back.” The feigned sadness was stretching it.
“I know he wants an heir. He’ll try and get you pregnant right away. I’m certain of it. Maybe then he’d pick up his fiddle.”
I swallowed, keeping Foss’s secret about his mother tucked tight inside me. “Foss doesn’t play, huh?”
Erika lowered her voice. “Oh, he has a fiddle, but he doesn’t play it. The Fossegrimen curse runs deep in the master. He doesn’t like feeling… Well, he doesn’t like feeling anything at all. That’s why you being here is so miraculous. I bet you’ll have him fiddling away in no time. Perhaps a son would give him reason to play.”
I stretched and yawned dramatically before Foss Jr. had a chance to haunt my dreams.
“Oh, listen to me, prattling on. I’m sure you’re exhausted. Do you need anything else before I turn in?”
“Nope. You’re a gem. Thanks for everything today.”
Erika grinned. “For the last time, you don’t have to thank me for every little thing. This is what I’m supposed to do. You’re actually letting me off easy.”
I laid down and pulled the red blanket up to my waist, snuggling Henry Mancini to my bosom. “Night, E.”
She bowed, but I heard her whisper, “Goodnight, Mistress L.”
I drifted off a few minutes later with a smile on my face.