Free Venture Untamed (The Venture Books) by R.H. Russell Page B

reached. The door to the hallway, which lead to the dining room where the Fieldstones had their meals, was on the opposite end.
    The fireplace, almost big enough for Venture to stand in, was at the end of the interior wall closest to the pantry. Pots and pans hung on the wall around it. On the other end of that wall were the long oaken table and benches where the servants ate.
    He listened for a sound from the hall or the washroom. Hearing nothing, he took a deep breath. “Turn around. Look at me, please. Jade .”
    When he said her name, she allowed him to turn her away from the fire.
    He dabbed clumsily at her tears with the dishtowel. “I’m sorry, Jadie.” He lifted a lock of her hair, which was dangling dangerously close to the simmering wine sauce, and tucked it behind her shoulder. “I didn’t mean it. About this being where you belong . . .”
    “I know. But you mean the rest.”
    Venture’s shoulders sagged. It was the honorable thing, anybody would say so—to treat his mistress as his mistress. The right thing. So why did it seem so wrong every time he tried to do it?
    “You’re right, Vent. I should grow up and stop putting you in such a difficult position.”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “Yes, you did,” she insisted, her lower lip quivering again.
    He hung his head, for he knew that in his own way, he had. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what the right thing is to do,” he whispered. Sometimes he just wished a voice from heaven would shout orders to him; then at least he would know whether he was in defiance of them or not.
    She dumped the spoon into the sauce pot. “I just want my best friend back.”
    “We’re not little kids anymore. Things can’t stay the same.”
    “I know they can’t. But Vent, I miss you.”
    He slid his arms around her and pulled her in. But nearby, the dining room door clattered, and Jade jumped back.
    “Go!” she snatched the dishtowel from him and gave him a shove.
    He ran for the washroom, grabbed his boots, and was going to leave and worry about putting them on later, but Mrs. Bright bustled into the kitchen, followed by Connie and Viney, one of the other servant girls.
    “Miss, let’s have a taste of that sauce.” Mrs. Bright stopped mid-step. “Vent, is that you?”
    How did she always know? He poked his head through the doorway, avoiding Jade’s eyes—avoiding all of their eyes. “Hey, Mrs. Bright. Just washing up before I head home. See you in the morning.”
    “Home? Who’s home?”
    “Justice,” he answered a little too quickly. He looked down as he slipped into his boots, to hide his eyes from Mrs. Bright. Already he felt the weight of the lie.
    “Your brother? Today’s their anniversary. Last I heard he was planning to take Grace out for once. They aren’t fighting, are they?”  
    “No . . . I think her sister’s coming over for supper instead. I really better get going now. Bye.”
    He snatched his dirty shirt and dashed out the back washroom door before Mrs. Bright could protest.
    He was too hot and his hands pained him too much to give the dog a good chase, or even to throw a stick for her, but she followed him home just the same, while his heart thumped and his head throbbed with knotted thoughts, trying to sort things out.

    Venture found Justice in the bedroom, standing over the wash basin, combing his hair.
    “You’re not eating at the Big House tonight?”
    Venture shook his head.
    “You know I’m taking Grace out, right?” Justice set down the comb and adjusted his good shirt. “She’s taking the baby to her sister’s right now.”
    Victory was nearly six months old, and Justice hadn’t taken Grace out since she was born. “Yeah, I know. I’ll just find myself something to eat.”  
    Venture headed for the hearth and cupboard in the adjoining room, which served as their sitting room and kitchen. Off this room was a little alcove into which Venture’s bed was built.  
    Justice followed him. “Hey, Vent, you want to