She shook her head like doing so could negate the pain of these memories.
“It was a long time ago. As I had an interest in music that they did not, I was at a concert at our Dwelling of the Gods with friends. A traveling choir that was quite good. They’d gone into town to have dinner at a local pub. The pub was known for excellent stew.” Another shrug and she finished, “At least they had a lovely last dinner.”
“Cease that nonsense,” I ordered and watched my maid blink.
“I beg your pardon?”
“This is horrific, this story,” I announced something she knew much better than me. “I know you wish to make little of it and move on, though I don’t know why, except perhaps you don’t want to trouble me with it, or you wish to deny the feelings you still feel about it.”
“Well, of course I don’t wish to trouble you with it. You have enough to concern you,” she replied ridiculously.
“And my maid who’s been loyal, hard-working and attentive, and these last days, exceptionally kind, having this history doesn’t concern me?” I queried with one raised brow.
After a careful pause, she reminded me just as carefully, “It hasn’t for years, milady.”
She was damnably right.
I lifted my chin. “Well it does now,” I stated crisply and continued in the same tone. “And I’m sad for you. Were you close?”
She nodded.
“Then that makes me even sadder for you,” I declared.
“Thank you,” she replied.
“Is this how you came to service, or was your family in service before you?”
“I was…well, I needed to find work. I was thirteen. It was an orphanage or service. I think I chose rightly,” she answered.
She’d been thirteen.
Yes.
Unthinkable.
“I’ve no idea if you did or did not but that matters not now,” I told her. “Here you are. In service to me. And there I’d like you to remain, with another maid for you to oversee and assist you as we travel over the Green Sea for whatever awaits us there.”
I found after making my proclamation that I was anxious to hear her reply.
Travel across the Green Sea was unusual because it wasn’t entirely safe. Indeed, travel anywhere wasn’t safe by land or by sea. Pirates. Highwaymen. Intemperate weather.
But from my knowledge (which was not vast), there were other dangers lurking along that passage.
In other words, this wasn’t your average adventure.
This was an adventure.
Therefore, I knew what I was asking, and these were partly the reasons why I was offering her a rise in salary but also every opportunity to break out of my service without any stress or concern about her future should she wish to decline.
I did actually think after my visit with my brother and his family and my back had healed enough to make the journey, rather than remaining in Lunwyn, which was now safe for me, that an adventure was just the thing.
But to embark on it with someone familiar would be beneficial.
And if I only admitted it to myself (for, even though I seemed to be sharing with alarming frequency), embarking on it with Josette would be beyond beneficial and maybe prove to make the journey and any ventures we had enjoyable.
“It would be an honor to go with you,” she said.
I was stunned by her ready acceptance (as well as heartened and perhaps flattered) thus had to fight the mad desire to cheer out loud.
Even so, I needed to be certain Josette was certain.
“And Fleuridia? Do you leave no one else behind? Friends? A lover?” I asked.
“No, milady.”
I narrowed my gaze at her. “You’re certain.”
She nodded fervently and it was then I noted a light of excitement in her eyes.
“Yes, I’m sure. Very sure.” She hopped a little on her cushion and reached out to grab my hands that were folded in my lap. “This might be fun!”
I looked down at my hands and barely caught sight of hers holding mine before she wrenched hers away.
“My apologies for the forwardness, milady,” she murmured as if I’d chastised her.
I looked back at her face to see she’d averted her gaze.
“Josette,” I called.
It took time but she eventually turned her attention back to me.
Or, to be exact, my nose.
“You’ve cared for my person for years. I do think it’s quite all right in a moment of excitement to touch my hands, don’t you?”
Her focus shot from my nose to my eyes.
“I…yes, if you don’t mind, milady.”
“I surely don’t,” I decreed then promptly stood because frankly, I’d had enough.
Truly, the ease of participating in friendliness and sociability was troubling.
“Would you like your nightgown, Lady Franka?” Josette asked.
“Yes, please.”
She assisted me in divesting me of my robe. She assisted me in donning my nightgown. She then assisted me putting my robe back on. She even saw to the unnecessary task of holding me steady as I slid my feet into my slippers. And she hovered close as I moved back into the bedroom.
Not done, she fervently plumped the pillows before I climbed into bed and threw the soft, woolen throw over my legs after I’d managed that feat.
“Is there aught else?” she asked.
“Yes,” I answered.
She waited patiently but I could see that light of excitement still there in her eyes.
She did indeed like me.
She also liked adventure.
“Milady?” she prompted when I did not speak on.
“Do you hope we make Airen or would you rather we journey inland and seek Firenze?”