Chapter 187

Latham lounged there with a lazy grin, his voice rough but teasing. “Say ‘husband’ for me. Just once p>

Dorothea’s ears burned, the heat creeping up before she could stop it. She tried to hype herself up inside. It wasn’t even the first time. “Husband. Happy now p>

Latham’s eyes crinkled with amusement as he watched her. The smile on his lips grew even more satisfied. “It’d sound better if you didn’t tack that last part on p>

Back at the Stephens house, Pauline was starting to think Ladd was a pretty great partner in crime.

“Pauline, let’s team up and make sure those two stay glued together. Sound good p>

“Yes, yes, absolutely. They’re married, after all. Best thing would be if they had a baby soon p>

Ladd slapped his thigh, totally on board. “Right. One this year, two next year p>

Pauline shook her head, playful but firm. “No way. Just one for now. At least wait three years before another. Dorothea needs to take care of herself p>

Ladd nodded, reconsidering. “Alright, then let’s hope for twins right away p>

The two of them were so pleased with their little conspiracy, they went to bed smiling.

The next day, Albert went to find Carola. “Carola, I lost something a while back. Have you seen that maid, Polly, around p>

“She probably found it p>

Albert actually wanted to ask the maid a few questions, but she was nowhere to be seen at the Brown house.

Carola’s heart skipped a beat, and she forced a casual smile. “Oh, Polly took an extended leave and went home p>

“What was it that you lost? Was it important? Did she steal it? I can call her and ask

Albert shook his head, not wanting to get her in trouble. “No, it’s fine. It’s not that important. Maybe it’s just in one of my suit pockets somewhere p>

“Really, don’t worry about it, Carola p>

After dinner, Albert left, still mulling things over. He’d only asked about the attic once, and the next day the maid vanished. Was he just being paranoid?

Dorothea stood there, staring at the sea of rose petals covering the floor, stretching all the way to the big bed. Linda was off work so she couldn’t wasan

call her in to clean up

She stepped out of the steamy bathroom, bundled up tightly in her pajamas, feeling completely out of place in a room so thick witho romance you could almost taste it.

Latham was propped up against the headboard, bathed in soft light. The pale velvet blanket barely covered his waist his entire upper body of display The warm glow caught the lines of his chest, shadows playing across his skin.

Latham’s gaze slid over to her, slow and unhurried, his voice even lower than usual. “Ready for bed p>

Dorothea forced herself to look away, her face flaming.

“Oh, sorry. I mean, do you want to turn out the lights and sleep p>

She felt like he was just making it worse.

“I’ll get a broom and clean this up. If I need to go to the bathroom in the middle of

the night, I’ll trip over all these petals. It’s kind of creepy p>

Latham could only stare, speechless at her killing the mood like that. Before he could say anything else, her phone rang, making things even more awkward.

Dorothea tiptoed over the thick petals to the vanity and grabbed her phone.

“Hello? Who’s this?” The number was unfamiliar.

“It’s me, Albert p>

He’d changed numbers again, probably just yesterday, so Dorothea hadn’t blocked it yet.

“Don’t hang up,” he said quickly. “I need to ask you something p>

Dorothea frowned, thumb hovering over the end button, but then he blurted out, “Dorothea, that girl who was locked in the attic years ago… was that you p>

She froze, not understanding what he was getting at.

“Does it matter p>

There was a time when that question meant everything to her. Now, it felt pointless.

“I’m hanging up. Don’t bother me again. Tomorrow I’m blocking all unknown numbers p>

The call ended with a cold beep. Albert stared at his phone, lips pressed tight, still without the answer he wanted.

Latham narrowed his eyes, a little jealous. “Dorothea, was that your clingy ex calling again p>