Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
She places the tray on the table at the center of my room where I have my meals. “No, he’s not Miss Jamie. But Lord Magnus would like to see you in his office within the next hour.”
My brows furrow and a frown turns down my lips. “Did he said say why?”
Maggie raises her shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “The Sector Leader does not explain his orders to me.”
“Will my sister be with him?”
“It’s not likely. She’s been put on bedrest. There was a bit of an accident the other day.”
I jump off the bed, alert for the first time since I woke up. “What happened with my sister? I know she hasn’t come by my room for the past couple days but I thought it was to give me space.”
Maggie places her hands on my shoulders. “Please don’t panic, Miss Jamie. Miss Noah is doing well.”
I shrug her hands off me. “But you said there was an accident. Tell me what happened?”
“She was plucking some fruit from one of the trees in the orchard and tried to pick something out of her reach and ended up falling and landing on her stomach.”
My hands fly to my mouth as I gasp in horror. “Was the baby harmed?”
“The baby is fine according to all the test that have been run. Miss Noah is carrying a strong superious child.”
A heavy sigh of relief tumbles from my lips. “Thank goodness. I’m just surprised the Sector Leader allowed her to do something so recklessly.”
Maggie shakes her head with a heavy sigh. “May I speak freely Miss Jamie?”
“Of course, Maggie and please just call me Jamie.”
Again her head shakes from side to side. “You know I can’t do that Miss Jamie. You are a member of the Sector Leader’s family.”
“When we’re around everyone else you can add the Miss to my name but when we’re alone just call me Jamie. Can you at least do that for me?”
“Of course…Jamie.”
“Now what were you about to say?”
“Well, you’ve known your sister longer than I have so I’m sure you’re aware that she can be…stubborn. I wanted to accompany to her but she insisted on going on her own. I relented because she wanted me to stay behind in case you needed anything.”
“Yes, my sister can be stubborn, that’s for certain but I’m surprised her husband allowed it. From what I can tell he’s very protective of her.”
“This is true, but Lord Magnus has a soft spot for Miss Noah and gives in to almost every request she makes. However, after her fall, he’s been firm about her staying in bed, and under the doctor’s supervision, at least for the next few days to assure himself that she’s okay.”
“Knowing my sister, she’s probably not happy being in bed all day.”
“You parents visit her regularly when she’s not sleeping and she keeps herself occupied with her e-pad. Now, at the risk of sounding pushy, I think you should wash up and get dressed so you can visit the Sector Leader in his office.”
I still don’t understand why he’d call me to his office. Since I’ve arrived at the manor, the two of us have barely exchanged more than a few sentences with each other. I had no desire to have a conversation with him but knew better than to defy this order even if he was my sister’s husband. He’s still the Sector Leader.
“Oh.” I finally respond for lack of anything better to say. Assured that my sister is fine, the anxiety that was gnawing at the pit of my stomach returns as I remember this is the day I meet my doom.
“Well, I think it’s best if you wash up before changing into something more appropriate. If I’m still speaking freely, I would suggest you make use of some of the scented oils for your bath. The air in this room is a bit stale.”
If nothing else, Maggie is one of the most diplomatic people I’ve ever come across. These past several days, I’ve been shrouded in a cloak depression, so bathing has been the furthest thing on my mind. I’ve become so use to my own odor, I can only imagine how I smell to other people.
There was a time when I took pride in my appearance and actually cared about how I presented myself to others. Since I was a child, I’ve been told I was ‘cute’. And as I grew older, ‘pretty’. On the commune I got more than my fair share of male attention. My sister always referred to me as the beauty in the family even though Noah is one of the most stunning women I’ve ever seen.
But now, I couldn’t care less about how I look.
I allow Maggie to usher me to my private bathroom.
“Go ahead and get undressed while, I prepare your bath,” Maggie instructs.