Morning had barely settled when Mallory was summoned again.She didn't even ask why this time.The manor had quickly become the kind of place where questions didn't feel necessary—only results did.
A maid guided her through the corridors with quiet precision."Master Lucien is expecting you," she said politely.Mallory glanced at her. "He always is."The maid didn't respond, but there was a faint twitch at the corner of her lips, like she was trying not to smile.
⸻
Lucien's study felt unchanged.Orderly in a way that suggested nothing in it was ever truly accidental.
Except him.He was seated near the desk, one leg loosely crossed over the other, papers arranged with casual precision that didn't match the slight disarray of his appearance.His dark hair looked like he had run his fingers through it not long ago—controlled, but not fully settled, like he'd stopped caring halfway through taming it.And when he looked up—his eyes were red.Not bright. Not soft.Just deep, composed crimson that held attention without asking for it.
He regarded her as she entered."You came."
"I was told to."
"That's usually how summons work," he said, voice calm.Mallory paused. "Was that meant to be a joke?""It depends," he replied. "Did you laugh?"
"No." "Then yes. It failed."That earned the smallest shift of amusement in his gaze.He gestured toward the chair opposite him. "Sit."She didn't move immediately. "Is this going to be another conversation where I leave with more problems than I arrived with?""I'll try to be efficient."
"That's never comforting."
"It shouldn't be."
She sat.A quiet pause followed.
Lucien tapped his fingers lightly against the desk once before speaking again."I've considered your request."
"My request was work," she said.
"And I've decided to give you one."
Mallory's eyes narrowed slightly. "That sounds suspiciously generous."
"It isn't."
"…That doesn't help."
"It's not meant to."
Another pause.Mallory leaned forward slightly. "What kind of work?"Lucien studied her for a moment, like he was deciding how much truth would make this more interesting.
"Eve needs a governess."
Silence.Mallory blinked once. "A governess."
"Yes."
"For children."
"Specifically one."
"That makes it worse."
Lucien tilted his head slightly. "Debatable."
Mallory stared at him. "You want me to teach a child." "Supervise," he corrected. "I don't think that improves it."
"It's more accurate."
She exhaled slowly. "Why me?""Because you can read, write, and you haven't offended her yet."
"I've barely met her."
"Exactly."
That almost pulled a reaction from her but she held it back.Mallory crossed her arms. "I don't think I'm suited for that kind of work."Lucien looked faintly intrigued. "And what kind of person do you think governesses are?"patient, fair,gentle and optimistic"
He paused briefly."…That one is optional."Mallory gave him a look.Lucien continued as if nothing had happened. "You're also incorrect."
"About what?"
"You are suited."
She narrowed her eyes. "That sounds like guessing."
"I don't guess often."
"That sounds like something someone who guesses would say."
A faint pause."And yet," he said, "here we are."
Mallory rubbed her temple briefly. "Let me get this straight—you want the woman you found after a prison escape to teach a child."
"Supervise," he corrected again.
"Why does that word keep making it worse?"
"It doesn't. It just bothers you."
She stared at him like she was trying to decide whether he was serious or simply entertained by her frustration.
Lucien continued calmly.
"This position has advantages."
"Oh good," she muttered. "A list."
"Firstly," he said, ignoring her tone, "you remain in the household."
"I noticed."
"Secondly, you are paid."
Mallory paused slightly. "…Paid."
"Yes."
"And third?"
Lucien leaned back slightly, gaze steady."I begin working on clearing your name."That shifted something in the room.Mallory didn't respond immediately."…And the governess part?" she asked finally."It doesn't help with that," he said simply. "I do."She blinked. "That sounds like you were already going to help me."
"I was."
"Then why this?"
Lucien's expression didn't change much—but there was something faintly amused underneath it."Efficiency.""That's not efficiency."
"It is."
"It feels like punishment."
"Then don't fail the child," he said.
That made her pause."…You're enjoying this," she said slowly."Enjoying is a strong word," he replied. "I'm observing.""That sounds worse."
"It isn't."
Mallory leaned back in her chair. "What if I refuse?"
Lucien didn't hesitate.
"Then you remain a stranger with no income, no protection, and no way of fixing your reputation."A beat."And Miranda will continue referring to you as 'the interesting mistake from breakfast.'"
Mallory groaned softly. "I hate this house."
"You don't," he said calmly. "You just don't understand it yet."
"That's not comforting."
"It's not meant to be."
Silence settled—but it wasn't heavy.
More like a decision waiting to be made.Mallory exhaled."…Fine."
Lucien nodded once. "Good."
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't 'good' me like I had a choice."
"You did," he said. "You chose correctly."
"I don't like you."
"That's acceptable." Mallory stood. "When do I start?"
Lucien glanced briefly at his desk. "This afternoon," he said. "Try not to overwhelm her."
Mallory paused at the door. "Is she fragile?"A brief pause. "…No," he said. "But she talks a lot."
Mallory muttered under her breath as she left. "Perfect."
And behind her—Lucien exhaled lightly.Almost like he was already entertained by what was coming.