Free Fade to Grey by Ilena Holder

cheeks, but she still appeared to be in some pain. Royce held the team’s head, steadying the bays. She stepped up at first to assist, but when the maids bustled forward to help, she stepped back. Between the maids and Mr. Bradenton, they led her back into the library. Royce threw out an iron weight to hold the team steady, and then flipped back some horse rugs in the back of the wagon. Putting his fingers to his lips, he gestured for Donna to step towards the wagon. She did and then he nodded towards the contents of the back. Donna saw four large brown traveling trunks. What on earth did Royce mean by showing her these?
    She looked at him and he began whispering. “Your lost luggage.”
    Donna didn’t know what to make of this development. Where had Royce come upon these and why was he helping her?
    “Let’s get these in the house, shall we?” he said.
    He flipped the first one out, setting it on its end. He did the same with the others, stacking them neatly by the door. Each time he bent down, his hair covered his eye patch and he had to brush it back with his hand. It made him look all the more intriguing. Donna could just imagine the muscles in his back expanding as he lifted the trunks. What a magnificent physique he must have!
    Flipping the first one on his shoulder as if it was a feather, he waited until she led him in the doorway, then down the hall.
    “Tell the maids we’re going upstairs.”
    “Yes, of course.” Now Royce was close to the stairs and he paused while Donna went into the kitchen to tell the maids what he requested.
    “Are you familiar with the layout of the house?” she asked him as he followed her up the stairs.
    “Yes, a bit, mainly from helping move furniture and such the last couple of years.”
    “My room is on the third floor—the Crows Nest,” she said.
    “Fine. We’ll have a chance to talk since I have four trunks to move,” Royce said. Setting the first trunk down in her bedroom, he paused as if to catch his breath.
    “Are they heavy?”
    “Not especially. They’re full of women’s clothing. The heaviest things are shoes and boots, but they’re really nothing to worry about. I just want to spend a little time with you.”
    Donna felt flattered. If Royce was trying for a way to score points with her, he certainly had succeeded.
    “Where did you get them? This is wonderful. I mean, I am sure this stuff will come in handy.”
    “They were at the train station and have been for two years. I don’t want to look like I am pushing off old clothing on you, but perhaps it will help until your people send you more things from Chicago. I am not sure how long your visit is. If you are staying a few weeks, the maids will be glad to take you shopping in town.”
    Donna waited for him to continue.
    “Two years? I don’t understand. So you stole them?”
    “No, I never stole anything in my life. They belong to a woman long dead. They’ll never do her any good now, but they will you. Let’s say we’re borrowing them, with intent to replace them later on.”
    Donna gasped.
    Royce popped open the latch.
    “Here. Start acquainting yourself with everything. Plus we can talk while you do it.”
    Donna looked at the unfamiliar objects and started taking them out and placed them on her bed.
    Royce leaned against the wall, watching her. He unknotted a handkerchief from his neck and wiped his brow.
    “The woman was near your size and height, though a bit bustier. If anybody—like the maids—question the trunks, just say I picked them up for you at the train station. I doubt if they will, though.”
    Donna picked out a beautiful embroidered white blouse. “But what if the styles have changed?”
    “No matter. Good quality clothing never goes out of style. The Bradentons probably would never bring it up. You could say they were imported from Europe.”
    “Good thinking. You are right about classic styles. I could be into retro. But still, what about the woman’s death? Tell me