Uncovering You 2: Submission Read Online Free PDF Page B

sorry, but I never caught your name.”
    “It’s Rose.” She smiles again, then turns her attention back to the table.
    “Rose,” I mumble under my breath. It’s amazing to be talking to someone other than Stonehart. “It’s nice to meet you, Rose.”
    She makes a noncommittal but friendly gesture toward me without glancing up.
    I walk a few more steps toward her. “I was wondering, since you left the door open…” I eye the tray of dishware standing outside, “…if that means that…” I trail off, not sure how much to say.
    “Oh!’ She stands straight and puts her hands on her hips. “Actually, Mr. Stonehart did ask me to pass a message onto you. He said, ‘Nothing has changed.’ Now,” she laughs, “I won’t presume to know what that means, and it’s certainly not my intention to pry, but I suspect you have some sort of agreement with him? Maybe this has something to do with that.”
    She winks at me, cheerful as a honeybee. “He also told me to make sure to always keep that door closed, but it was so stuffy in here when I came, I thought a little fresh air might do you good.” She smiles. “Don’t you agree?”
    “Oh, yes,” I whisper, astounded. Fresh air? Is it possible that I have found an ally in this woman?
    I can hardly believe she is the person who regarded me with such disinterest a week ago.
    “Do you mind?” I ask, gesturing to the door.
    “By all means,” she says. “Be my guest.”
    I walk up to the door and put my hands on the frame. A draft lifts my hair around my face. I inhale deeply, loving the scent of the ocean. I haven’t tasted fresh air in God knows how long.
    It feels like an enormous breach of protocol to be doing this. But I am not breaking any rules, am I? And knowing that I am feeling the wind on my face—something Stonehart had no intention of allowing me to do—is an encouraging boost to my psyche.
    Stonehart does not control as much as he thinks.
    I wonder how far I’m willing to push this time. I look down at my feet, then edge them forward a few inches. My toes hang over the threshold.
    I know the collar tracks my position. As long as my head stays inside, I shouldn’t be in any danger.
    I take a deep breath and close my eyes, then stick one foot out the door.
    A great thrill shoots through me when my foot touches the cement walkway outside. I shiver and pull back quickly. One taste of rebellion is enough.
    I walk up to Rose. I see her hide a small smile as she keeps her eyes pointed downward.
    “Are you setting up for me and Mr. St—Jeremy?” I ask.
    “Yes,” she answers.
    “He didn’t tell me he was coming for dinner.”
    “At six o’clock,” Rose confirms.
    “Hmm.” I have hours left yet. With nothing else to do, I ask, “May I help you?”
    Rose looks at me. A kind, motherly smile graces her lips. “I’d like that very much.

Chapter Seven

    Some hours later, I’m sitting alone at the table, looking over the beautiful water, when I catch Stonehart approaching from the corner of my eye. I stand as he enters the room, and only sit back down when he takes his chair across from me.
    “Good evening, Lilly,” he greets me.
    “Good evening, Jeremy,” I reply.
    “I see you were waiting for me. That’s good.” He takes a small sip of water. “I hate it when it’s the other way around.”
    “I promise, that won’t happen again.” I offer a sickly-sweet smile.
    “Good.” Stonehart nods. He leans back and drapes one arm over his chair. “You look beautiful tonight, Lilly.”
    His voice is completely sincere. It takes me by surprise.
    “Thank you, Jeremy.”
    “The color of your dress brings out your eyes,” he observes. “I am pleased you took the effort to find suitable clothes.”
    “It’s not hard when I have such a generous selection at my disposal.”
    Stonehart nods in approval. “I have to say, your behavior is a pleasant surprise. I was expecting more… defiance… from you.”
    I smile at him sweetly. “Why would