His laugh this time was bitter. “No, not at all.” He didn’t give her a chance to ask a follow-up. “It is of no consequence. What is your occupation in the land behind the wardrobe?”
Leah smiled. “That makes it sound like I lived in Narnia, which would have been awesome. But no. I’m GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 64
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an elementary school drama teacher.” She pinched off
another bite of bread. “I’ve got a great group of kids, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I mean, who else gets to play pretend for their nine-to- five?”
Water splashed as Avery emptied the pot. His muscles strained against the damp cotton of his sleeves as he lifted the large iron thing. “I am sure that the children enjoy their lessons with such a lovely teacher.”
Leah’s heart thudded at the compliment, but Avery didn’t turn. He merely wiped the pot down with a rag and continued washing up. She took a bite of the sandwich he’d given her, just because she didn’t know what else to say. It would have been so much easier if Avery could be the duke. But even though he’d been sweet and had just called her lovely, he wasn’t exactly coming on to her. She’d spent a lot of time in the friend zone, and this was shaping up to be that kind of friendship, sadly.
She swallowed methodically, flicking a little crumb from the corner of the table. As handsome as Avery was, she was here to romance the duke himself. That had to be it. She’d win his heart and waltz back through the mirror with her perfect man in tow. She hoped.
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Eight
When Leah and Avery parted ways at the top of the stairs, it was one o’clock. After that single compliment, he’d kept the conversation light, never venturing into the territory again. It had been a little disappointing, but even so, she’d really enjoyed talking with the strong, quiet man. She watched as he disappeared down the corridor, moving slowly. Must be his bruises hurting him.
She shook her head. Shouldn’t have let him finish the pots.
Leah’s jaw cracked loudly as she yawned, and she covered her mouth with the hand that wasn’t holding her candle. Four hours of sleep? It wasn’t going to be fun, but she’d make it, she reasoned. It would be worth it in the end.
She found her door without much trouble and pushed it open with a creak. Soft snores echoed through the room from the occupants who were already in bed.
Leah shook her head as she set the candle down on a small table. She really wasn’t looking forward to sleeping with strangers, but what choice did she have? Hell, she thought as she peeled her damp dress off, she’d much rather go bunk with Avery than with the obnoxious little GeekGirlsDontDateDukes.indd 66
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Henrietta. Locking her in the conservatory? Come on.
She’d have to do a lot better than that to get rid of Leah.
She spread her dress out on a ladder-backed chair near the fireplace, hoping it would dry by morning. Shucking her petticoat, she balanced on one foot as she removed her stocking. Another yawn knocked her off balance, and she grabbed the chair to right herself. The legs of the seat thumped against the rough wooden floor.
Leah froze as the snoring stopped. God, she didn’t want to wake them up. It was going to be tough enough to sleep next to the prickly Henrietta without having to deal with her anger about being rudely awakened. She could just imagine the retaliation for that. And the other two, Sarah and…well, someone— she couldn’t remember the other girl’s name— had seemed nice enough, but she could just imagine the hell it would be living with three girls who couldn’t stand her.
The even breathing resumed, and Leah sighed with relief. She made quick work of the rest of her undressing, and tiptoed to the bedside wearing only her shift and bloomers. Propping her hands on her hips, she stared down at the bed.
Grand. Just fucking grand.
Henrietta lay diagonal across the double bed, wrapped in the covers like a burrito. The only way Leah could fit in the bed at all would be to curl into the fetal position.
Leah’s eyes narrowed, and her hands fisted by her sides.
That was just about enough for today.
More gently than she wanted, Leah pushed Henrietta’s legs over to the far side of the bed. The girl squeaked in alarm as Leah pulled the covers, lifting them up to straighten them with an irritated snap.
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“What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing, you stupid git?”
“Quiet,” Leah whispered. She slipped beneath the covers beside Henrietta. “Don’t wake the others. I had to make room. You were hogging the bed.”
And for that, Leah got a sharp kick to the shin.
Gritting her teeth, she rolled to her side and bunched the pillow behind her head. As much as she wanted to return the favor, she wouldn’t kick a kid. No matter how much this particular kid deserved it.