The Favorite Read Online Free PDF Page B

prepped, and soon we could sleep.
    I inhaled sharply as a set of hands wrapped around my waist. “Hello, wife,” Carter said, kissing my cheek. “Are you still working?” He smelled like his job: cut grass andsunshine. I had been sure he would be stuck in the stables—somewhere he would be hidden away from the eyes of the king—just as I’d been buried in the kitchen. Instead, he was walking around with dozens of other groundskeepers, hiding in plain sight. He came in at night with the outdoors hanging on him, and for a moment, it was like I’d been outside, too.
    I sighed. “I’m almost done. After I tidy up here I’ll come to bed.”
    He nuzzled his nose into my neck. “Don’t overdo it. I could rub your hands if you want.”
    â€œThat’d be perfect,” I crooned. I still loved my end-of-the-day hand massages—maybe more so now that they were given to me by Carter—but if my day ended well after bedtime, it was a luxury I typically went without.
    Sometimes my thoughts got stuck on memories of my days as a lady. How nice it had been to be adored; how proud my family was; how beautiful I felt. It was difficult to go from being constantly served to being the one constantly serving; still, I knew things could be much, much worse.
    I tried to keep the smile on my face, but he saw through it.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Marlee? You’ve seemed down lately,” he whispered, still holding me.
    â€œI really miss my parents, especially now that Christmas is so close. I keep wondering how they’re doing. If I feel this sad without them, how are they managing without me?” I pressed my lips together, as if I could mash the worry out of them. “And I know it’s probably silly to care about this, butwe won’t be able to exchange gifts. What could I give you? A loaf of bread?”
    â€œI’d love a loaf of bread!”
    I giggled at his enthusiasm. “But I wouldn’t even be able to use my own flour to make you one. It’d be stealing.”
    He kissed my cheek. “True. Besides, the last time I stole something, it was pretty big, and I got more than I deserved, and I’m already happy with what I have.”
    â€œYou didn’t steal me. I’m not a teapot.”
    â€œHmm,” he said. “Maybe you stole me. Because I distinctly remember belonging to myself once, but now I’m all yours.”
    I smiled. “I love you.”
    â€œI love you, too. Don’t worry. I know it’s a difficult season, but this isn’t forever. And we have a lot to be grateful for this year.”
    â€œWe do. I’m sorry I’m so down today. I just feel—”
    â€œMallory!” I turned at the sound of my new name. “Where’s Mallory?” a guard asked, coming into the kitchen. He was with a girl I’d never seen before.
    I swallowed before answering. “Here.”
    â€œCome, please.”
    His voice was urgent, but the fact that he said please made me less frightened than I would have been otherwise. Each day I fretted more and more that someone would tell the king Carter and I were living secretly in his home. I knew that if that ever happened, the caning would seem like a prize instead of a punishment.
    I kissed Carter’s cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
    As I passed the girl she gripped my hand. “Thank you. I’ll just wait here for you.”
    My forehead scrunched in confusion. “Okay.”
    â€œWe’re all counting on absolute secrecy,” the guard said as he led me down the hall.
    â€œOf course,” I answered, though I still didn’t understand.
    We turned down the officers’ wing, and I became even more confused. Someone of my rank shouldn’t be allowed in this part of the palace. The doors were all closed except for one, where another officer was standing just outside. His face was calm, but his eyes were