Chapter Five
Alastair was walking down the hallway toward his bedroom when Clarice, the head of the kitchen staff, stopped him.
“How is she doing?” he asked.
“She hasn’t eaten anything yet. I keep trying to tempt her, but it’s not working.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll get her to eat.”
Clarice smiled. “I must say that she’s very sweet, sir.”
“I think so, too. Did she try to get you to help her escape?”
“Not at all. She barely spoke to me.”
He nodded. “All right. Good night.”
“Good night, sir.”
Alastair unlocked and opened the bedroom door. The first thing he saw was Beth on a bench staring out the window. He hated that he was making her sad, but he knew in his heart she would have run from him when he found her out in everyday life, and he would have found her eventually. He just knew it deep in his soul that it happened this way for a reason.
He quietly shut the door and locked it.
“Beth.”
Her head whipped around to look at him.
“I was told you aren’t eating.”
She shrugged.
“Well, that has to stop, sweetheart.”
Alastair walked to her and lifted her hand to pull her to her feet. He walked them into the living area and sat her at the table where Clarice had set the food. He lifted the metal lids and almost groaned at the smell of prime rib and mashed potatoes.
When he set her plate in front of her, he saw her pulse pick up in her neck as he gave her silverware. “Eat.”
She stared at the plate.
“Baby, there will be consequences if you don’t.”
Her head jerked up. “Like what?” she asked.
Hell, if he knew. He’d have to come up with something.
Although he was glad she was finally talking, he didn’t like her tone of voice. He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I don’t think you want to find out.”
She yanked her hand away from him and picked up her fork. He didn’t mind too much that she ignored him. It was their first meal together, and he wanted it to be as pleasant as possible. He poured her a glass of red wine.
“I think you’ll like that, sweetheart.” He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. She wanted desperately to throw the wine at him. “Don’t even think about it.” He bit his lip to keep from smiling when she growled at him. There was nothing threatening about it, and he thought she sounded more like a kitten than anything.
He was pleased when she ate half of her plate. He reached for the dessert. “Try this. If you like chocolate, you’ll love this.”
“No, thank you.”
He sighed, scraped a spoonful of it, pressed it against her lips, and waited. She finally opened her mouth and took the bite.
He grinned when her eyes closed, and she hummed. “It’s good, right?”
She froze as if realizing what she was doing. “Yes, it is.”
“Eat it.”
She only took a few bites, but he could tell she really enjoyed it.
“May I have more wine, please?”
Alastair nodded and filled her glass. He hoped it would help her to relax and open up to him.
When they finished, he pushed the plates away.
“Why don’t you go in and shower? I’ll bring in something for you to wear.”
She stood and walked off.
He watched her for a moment before standing. She was so delicate-looking and graceful, and he could just watch her forever. Hopefully, they were going to have a forever. He’d do everything in his power to make sure they did.
He laid another of his shirts on the counter. “Here you go, Beth.”
“Thank you.”
He didn’t have to ask about the shampoo since he knew the things he ordered had arrived because he saw several new high-end women’s products were on the counter.
He undressed until he wore only his pants and waited.
It didn’t take her long before she walked out of the shower with a towel around her body and one on her head like the night before.
“Let me help you with the shirt before I shower.”