Uncovering You: The Complete Series (Mega Box Set) (294 page)

“I’m only saying the things you are thinking. The things you are… too frightened to say.” He shakes his head the tiniest bit. “Such deception never does a person good. You are here for three months. Just as it happens,” his smile turns predatory, “so am I. What a wonderful coincidence.”

“This is your property,” I tell him. “You can do with it whatever you like. It makes no difference if you’re here or not, so long as I’m permitted to do my job.”

Now his grin grows
really
wide. “Your job,” he quotes. “And what do you think that is, exactly?”

“The same thing I signed up for,” I tell him. “I’m here to catalogue the property. To what end, I don’t know. Maybe you’re selling the place. Maybe you want to know more about it yourself. That’s not really my concern. But the one thing I’m
not
here for—” I was debating a long time whether to add this point or not. In the end, it comes naturally, “—is to act as your personal chef and maid.
That
wasn’t in the job description. And while I don’t mind cooking the occasional meal…” I meet his gaze, for once, without backing down, “I will not be doing it on the daily. If you don’t like that, I don’t care. You can fire me, and find somebody else to mother you.”

I finish the speech.

And then I realize what I’ve done.

My hands almost fly to my mouth. I force them still with a concentrated effort. I am wearing the most fragile poker face.

Sylvain watches me. He seems….
amused
by the display.

“Well,” he says softly, after a prolonged, uncomfortable moment. “That’s how it’s going to be?”

I can’t back down now.

“Yes,” I tell him. “That’s how it’s going to be.” I glance at the broken omelet. “And that’s a frittata, by the way.”

Chapter Nine

Sylvain dismisses me shortly after that.

He tells me to spend the day looking around, but that, unlike previously planned, he won’t be joining me.

So be it. Maybe that’ll give me the much-needed distance to make heads or tails of the man.

And of course, to actually explore the property. That’s what I’m here for, after all.

The castle has many rooms. A lot of them are barred and locked.

I won’t be getting inside without the keys.

The ones that are open are sparsely furnished. Most have little more than a simple wooden bench and maybe a table.

Only the entrance hall walls are decorated. The rest of the interior is decidedly bleak.

Outside, however, is a whole other story.

The grounds are absolutely beautiful. Lush green gardens surround the castle. There’s a maze deep in the keep. The far outer wall that rings around the place isn’t even visible from inside the shrubs, they’re so tall.

The entrance is a bit overgrown. Intrigued, I pick my way inside.

“Oh wow,” I say. The stone path beneath me is covered in dirt. I don’t think anyone’s been in here in years.

It feels like a private oasis.

I wander deeper, keeping track of my turns so I can find my way back out. There’s an opening where the sun shines bright on an intricately carved stone bench. It looks like the perfect place to read.

Or kiss
, a stray voice suggests from the depths of my subconscious mind.

It’s coupled with an image of Sylvain’s full lips.

I shake my head to dispel the idea.
What’s gotten into me?

I mean, yes, the man is gorgeous. And yes, I’ve been pretty sexually deprived the last three years of college. But still! It’s not like me to moon over a man.

Placing Sylvain firmly out of my thoughts, I work my way back to the entrance. Before I’d entered I’d spotted an old shed.

I walk to it and am pleasantly surprised when I find it unlocked.

I open the doors. They creak loudly, but that doesn’t prevent the smile from forming on my face.

It’s fully stocked. All sorts of gardening tools lie inside. They might be a bit old… but still very useable.

Well. Cooking, I might have no interest in. But fixing up a little of the vegetation in the maze to make it more hospitable for myself?

That, I can definitely do.

Chapter Ten

The sun goes down before I finish my work. I get so absorbed in it that I don’t even notice time passing.

Then I feel the deep-set ache in my arms and the hollow pit that is my stomach. I worked a
lot
.

I hope another protein bar isn’t my reward.

I sigh, wipe my brow, and head back to return the tools to the shed.

I finish putting them in their proper place. I turn to the castle—and find Sylvain’s silhouette blocking the light from the doors.

I pull my shoulders back as I face him. I walk there slowly. Our last conversation ended on a high note for me. I don’t want to undo that work now.

He watches impassively as I come closer. He’s dressed in fine black clothes: fancy slacks and a button down. The top few buttons are undone, making the shirt stretch across his chest and emphasize his wide, muscular shoulders.

For a second, I lose myself staring. Just for a moment!

But it’s enough to make me misplace a step.

My ankle twists. I yelp and fall forward.

Sylvain moves fast to catch me. His reflexes are superb. He’s like a darting viper.

“Are you all right?” he asks. I think there’s genuine concern in his voice.

“Yeah. Fine. Thanks,” I mumble. He helps me up. When we both straighten, he does not immediately let go of my arm.

I’m so close I can smell his cologne. It’s subtle but masculine. It has a rich texture to it that is very fitting to the estate.

My heart starts pounding faster. He looks at me. His eyes are guarded—I cannot tell what is going on behind them.

I clear my throat. He seems to remember himself and lets go of my arms.

“Thank you,” I say again, softly.

“I’ve been watching you today,” he says. He points a finger up. “From the window of my study. It provides a perfect view of the labyrinth. You did a good job.”

“Oh,” I say. A flush of pride takes me. It’s not the compliment itself—anybody with two hands and half a will could have done what I did—but the fact that it’s coming from
him
. “Thank you.”

“You must be very tired,” he notes. “And hungry?”

This time, he definitely frames the last as a question.

But I don’t want to be caught presuming twice. “I am,” I say cautiously.

“Good.” He smiles, and holds out his elbow for me to take. “I made us dinner. As way of apology for my earlier behavior. I hope you’ll consent?”

That
surprises me. “That’s very sweet of you,” I say. “But I think I want to shower first—”

“No.” He cuts me off. The command in his voice is firm and unyielding. “You will sup with me first, because I prepared the meal, and because it is still hot.”

Whoa
, I think. That’s a sudden bit of unexpected intensity right there.

“You sure?” I ask. “I’d rather be fresh…”

“Dani,” he says. Now his voice is all smooth silk again. “No matter what state you’re in, I find you lovely. Please. Give me the pleasure of your company.”

I giggle. This is ludicrous!

“Well, when you put it like that…” I say, and take his arm.

Chapter Eleven

I almost stagger back in complete shock when I see the dining hall.

An entire proper dinner has been set for two. There’s a roast in the middle. A bottle of wine. Glasses. All the necessary dishware and cutlery.

There are even candles flickering on the table.

He smiles coyly. “I trust you’re impressed.”

“Compared to yesterday?” I say. “Very.” I look at him. “You did this yourself?”

“As I said,” he tells me. “I wanted to apologize. As you will soon find out, I am not a man who does things half-heartedly.”

“You can say that again,” I murmur.

Sylvain slides out my seat for me. I sit. He walks to the other side, his stride long and powerful, and settles down across from me.

“Wine to get started?” He reaches for the bottle. “This is a nineteenth century vintage—”

“I’m not very experienced,” I blurt out. “You don’t have to explain it to me. Frankly, I wouldn’t be able to tell if that bottle cost twenty bucks or twenty grand.”

Shit!
I shouldn’t have said that. But that’s the other thing that happens when I get nervous. My mouth runs away from me. Either that, or I freeze.

But Sylvain only smiles. “You’re honest,” he says. “I like that.”

He pours me a glass, then one for himself. I pick it up.

“Thank you.”

I bring it to my lips. He stops me.

“Tut-tut-tut.”

I look up.

“Careful,” he says. “Even if you don’t know anything about wines, you should still be able to appreciate the flavor. Take your time. Have a small sip. Roll it through your mouth. Savor the aroma, the mixture of textures, all the subtle hints of flavor.” His voice becomes almost husky. “When you have something precious in front of you, you mustn’t spoil it by being rash.”

Goosebumps prickle my neck. When he speaks like that… it’s very, very seductive.

I give a little nod.

“Breathe it in,” he tells me. “Note the aroma first.”

I do… and I try… but I’m immediately reminded of the smell of
him
. His cologne, when he was so close to me, just minutes ago…

I shudder. Sylvain smiles, thinking it from the wine.

“That good,” he says.

“Oh yes,” I tell him, and take my fist sip.

***

From there on, dinner proceeds in an unremarkable fashion. I wolf down my meal, because I am starving. It tastes good. Sylvain is a much better cook than I.

We don’t speak much. He lets me eat. It’s not the most sophisticated of showings on my part.

I make a passing comment or two on the food. He answers with a murmured, “Thank you,” a slight smile, or just a nod.

Only when I’m finished eating does conversation pick up.

“There’s a question weighing on your mind,” Sylvain says. “I know because if I were you, I would be wondering the same thing.”

“Oh?” I ask. “And what question is that?”

I’m feeling giddy from the alcohol, and all warm and comfortable from the food.

“Why I recorded your phone call.”

Instantly the good feelings disappear. My stomach drops.

He picks up his glass and swirls it around in his hand. I notice he’s barely touched his own meal.

“This is my estate, Dani. As such, I’m afforded certain privileges. What your friend told you wasn’t a lie. Neither was it the whole truth. She has a partial understanding of me, and even that is dependent on whatever information she could dig up from what was publicly available. Your own impression would be much more…” he pauses, searching for the right word, “…valuable.”

I look at him. My head is swimming. Damn, that was a strong drink!

“Nonetheless, allow me to explain myself. First, yes, I did go to jail, for insider trading. No, I was not guilty. Yes, I was partially framed. The jury wanted to make an example of me.”

Convenient
, I think skeptically.

“it’s an easy explanation, but it’s the truth. Moreover, none of that would have happened were I not betrayed. I put my trust in someone who did not deserve it. My lost years, in prison? They taught me a valuable lesson. Would you like to know what that is?”

“Shoot,” I say.

He smiles at my choice of word. “It is this: trust no one. Question everything. And, above all? Seek to make yourself immune.”

“Immune?” I blink. “Immune from what?”

“Immune from weakness of the flesh,” he tells me. “Immune from feelings of the heart. Immune from emotional attachment. I thought I understood that in my youth, but the lesson did not resonate deep enough.”

Without thinking I reach again for my wine. I realize the glass is empty. I frown. “Go on.”

“It wasn’t just your phone call I intercepted. All communications here are tapped. I possess the necessary equipment…” he waves his hand vaguely through the air, “…to make such things child’s play.”

I fidget, newly uncomfortable. “So then, are we… is
this
being recorded?”

Sylvain chuckles. “No, no. Anything that happens inside the castle walls
stays
inside the castle walls.” He leans forward. “Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

I feel very much alone at that moment. “I think so,” I say in a small voice.

“Are you angry?”

I look deep inside me. Maybe it’s the overwhelming effect of the wine. Maybe it’s the company. But for some reason, I cannot find a trace of anger.

“No,” I tell him finally. “You could have told me earlier, but…” I shrug. “It’s forgiven.”

“That is why I used a landline to call you the first morning,” he says. “There is only one telephone here that is completely private. Electronic signals, wireless transmissions… they can all be intercepted. So, in the future, if you wish to make a call, without being overheard? You must request the telephone in my study.”

“That’s… very gracious of you,” I say. “Thank you.”

He smiles. “For you?
Anything
.”

I go on full alert. What’s
that
supposed to mean?

Conversation ends. The flickering candles between us cast shadows on Sylvain’s face. Somehow, they make him look even more handsome.

After a long moment, he stands. “Thank you for granting me the pleasure of your company,” he says. “And for allowing me the chance to explain myself without prejudice.”

“Oh,” I murmur. “Sure.”

“I suggest we both retreat for the night. Tomorrow, I’d like for you to continue work on the gardens. If you don’t mind?”

“No,” I say. “I hate leaving a job unfinished.”

“Good.” He gives a secretive smile. “Until the morrow, then, Ms. Middleton.”

He walks out, and leaves me in the huge dining hall all alone.

Chapter Twelve

I spend the entire night in a fitful sleep.

I can’t help but feel that I am missing something. Tonight at dinner, Sylvain was almost too gracious. He was almost
too
understanding.