Chapter 102 He’s not as awful as you might think.
Joseph closed the door and crossed the room to her. He held out the plate of food as if it was a peace offering but Doris only wanted to slap it out of his hands and send every piece to the dirty floor. She’d learned a lot recently about poking at the ones that held power over her. It never ended in her favor—but he looked like he could take a poking or two from her.
Cautiously, Doris took the plate and set it on the bed. “Thank you.” She said.
Joseph smiled at her and bowed his head a little. “My pleasure. I uh, I’ll leave you alone. I’ll be right outside if you need me. They should be sending you new clothes soon for you to change into.”
As he was turning away, Doris reached out to grab his arm. “Wait.” He paused and looked at her with raised brows as his eyes flicked to her hand on his arm. “When will the man that brought me here come see me? I’d like to talk with him soon.”
“Mr. Hugh said he’d be by to check on you soon. I wouldn’t worry about him though, he’s not as awful as you might think.”
“He kidnapped me and is using me as ransom. Forgive me if I don’t think he’s very kind.” Doris said flatly and dropped her hand. She glanced at the knife he had tied to his belt next to a set of keys. She flexed her fingers but he turned away again before she could even attempt to take either.
Breathe, Doris. You can’t be brash, you need a plan. She thought to herself. Without Cordelia, she realized she needed some sort of voice to keep her grounded. So be it if it was her own. All she could truly count on was herself at the end of the day, she would get herself out of this. 1
“I can agree with you there. I wouldn’t think much of him either.” Joseph said with a small chuckle. She glared at his back. How dare he try to be her friend when she was a prisoner! What was he aiming at? This had to be some sort of trust ploy. She wouldn’t fall for that.
Joseph glanced back at her over his shoulder. “He won’t hurt you. He only wants to get ahold of the prince.”
“Well, I won’t be able to help him.” Doris said after he already left. She sat on the bed and picked at the plate of food. She was starving but the back of her head warned her about eating something from this place. What if they poisoned everything she touched? She’d be better off dead anyway. If she died by poison, it was bound to happen sooner or later at the rate she’d been living. Doris ate every last bite and left the plate by the door before she circled the room. There was one high window that looked like only a small animal could squeeze through. Doris pushed the dresser underneath it and tried to push it open but it wouldn’t budge. Damned thing!
“Would you like someone to open it for you?” A voice said from behind her. Doris almost fell right off the dresser when she heard him. “The only chance you’ll get through there is if you’re a rabbit.”
Mr. Hugh stood with his arms crossed over his chest and an amused look on his face. Doris carefully stepped off the dresser and smoothed out her clothes.
“I would like it open, if you wouldn’t mind. It’s rather hot in here.” “Is it?” He glanced around the freezing room as if he was trying to find the heat source. What a stupid lie, it felt like ice in here. “I’ll get right on that.” He gestured to the bed. “Would you care to have a small chat with me?”
Doris hesitated before she sat on the edge of the bed across from the chair he took. He casually crossed his legs and smiled at her as if they were old friends.
“William isn’t coming back for me. He made it clear that if I stayed he wouldn’t turn back.” Doris blurted before he even had a chance to speak.
Mr. Hugh laughed a little. “Do all the maids refer to their princes by their first name? I heard Prince William was the one that never allowed that.”
“He requested for me to call him by his first name while we were here. He didn’t want to draw attention to his title.” Doris said smoothly. She brushed a bit of dirt off her pants. “My statement still stands. He would never risk himself for a maid, no matter how noble he may be.” 1
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