Yuletide Treasure Read Online Free PDF Page B

sprawled across the wooden floor and a small traveling bag—Noelle’s, she assumed. The light was minimal, the ceiling high, the walls bare.
    Walls it would be up to her to fill.
    She drew a fortifying breath, reminding herself that no task was insurmountable. Farrington was hollow, not cold. Its heart was asleep, its soul encased in darkness.
    But how to awaken it?
    â€œYou and Noelle may do as you choose,” Eric pronounced, tossing his coat in a nearby cloakroom. “As you can see, the manor is quite large. The grounds surrounding it are extensive. Most of my time is spent in my quarters. Therefore, there’s little worry that we’ll cross paths.” He bent, gripping the handle of Brigitte’s one and only bag. “I’ll place this in your room.” With that, he headed toward the staircase.
    â€œWait.”
    Shoulders taut, he pivoted to face his bride. “What is it?”
    â€œBefore you take your leave, I have several questions I need answered. For one thing, where is my room? And Noelle’s, for that matter? Not to mention the kitchen and the schoolroom?” As she spoke, Brigitte lay a restraining palm on Noelle’s shoulder, perceiving—and understanding—the child’s restlessness. After all, she’d been confined for hours: first waiting in the church with Eric, next standing by while the vows were being exchanged, and last, sitting still for the carriage ride home. As a result, she was a coiled spring ready to explode. And if she did … well, Brigitte wasn’t eager to see Eric’s reaction.
    â€œI won’t take much of your time, my lord,” Brigitte continued, using her unoccupied hand to scoop up Noelle’s bag. “But as you yourself just said, the manor is huge. So unless you have a map to provide me, I will need some instructions.”
    Eric’s gaze delved into her’s, his expression unreadable. At last, he nodded. “Fine.” He stalked back and relieved her of Noelle’s traveling bag. “Follow me.”
    â€œFuzzy and I aren’t staying in that pink room,” Noelle announced as they rounded the first-floor landing. “It’s ugly and Fuzzy hates it. He doesn’t much like the green room either. It’s filled with dumb statues that don’t do anything Except break.”
    Brigitte saw the corded muscles in Eric’s neck go rigid— the only indication that he’d heard Noelle’s outspokenstipulations. She herself had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
    They headed down a seemingly unending hallway.
    â€œThe blue room is my favorite,” Noelle continued. “It has a big window and long drapes. When I’m bored, I use them to climb down to the ground.”
    â€œYou destroyed those drapes during your last stay,” Eric returned icily. “You cut them to shreds to make a winter coat for that tattered thing.” He jerked his head in Fuzzy’s direction, never stopping or breaking stride.
    â€œFuzzy isn’t a ‘that.’ He’s a ‘he.’”
    â€œNevertheless, the drapes are gone. The remnants have since been carried off by real animals. Ask your governess to order new ones.” Abruptly, he halted. “The blue room,” he announced, flinging open the door and depositing Noelle’s bag within.
    Brigitte peeked inside. “It’s lovely,” she murmured, appraising the canopied bed and wide—though blatantly curtainless—windows with a smile. “Very well, if this is to be Noelle’s room”—turning, she glanced thoughtfully across the hall—“I’ll take the chamber directly opposite it. In a flash, she sprinted over and reached for the door handle.
    â€œNo’”
    Eric’s command fired like a bullet. Jolted, Brigitte backed away, her eyes wide and questioning.
    â€œThat room is not to be disturbed,” he thundered, advancing on her. “Ever.