Penny was still sound asleep in bed, having slept so late the night before for fear of Osvaldo coming back, when the door to the room burst open.
She opened her eyes to the heavy sound only to see a man, probably in his late forties standing next to Hughes and Rosie.
The man stared at her with wide eyes, he looked like he'd seen a ghost.
Barnaby had expected to see a dead body littered on the floor with blood everywhere. The stench of blood would fill the room and he would send a few servants to clean it up as usual.
The Adkins sure have a lot of blood on their hands. They were very particular with selecting brides for their master. Women who have no worth, unwanted women. Useless girls from prestigious families.
Girls no one cared about even if they died.
"Good morning madam." Barnaby regained his composure as he stared at the blue-eyed woman. She sure does look unwanted.
Fat and ugly, no wonder his master liked her. The girl was anything from normal, already looking forty from that size.
How?
How had this thing survived when they had brought better women and they had all died at the hands of their master?
According to what he heard, his mad master had almost choked her to death too yesterday, but he had given her a name. The first person that has happened to and it was shocking.
For now, they would put the girl through observation, maybe Osvaldo, even though was in his violent mood was not in the right frame of mind to kill her. They'll give her a week and see how things go.
One beautiful week would do the trick.
Penny drew the sheets to cover her almost naked form as she stared at them. But her eyes were more on Rosie. The maid that had promised her escape.
How are they still here till this hour when everyone is wide awake? Rosie hadn't come to fetch her like she promised. And she had been so stupid to oversleep.
Osvaldo must be waiting for her, she needs to go to the bureau with him.
Rosie, prepare the new lady and make sure she's comfortable," Barnaby ordered coldly.
"I am Barnaby, Madam," he said, bowing stiffly. "The butler of this house. If you need anything, or if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."
"Hughes, as you know, will be responsible for looking after you," he added, turning to leave.
Penny said nothing. Her eyes followed the butler until he bowed again and stepped out of the room.
Hughes moved to the windows, drawing back the curtains. Morning light spilled into the room like golden silk.
Even though their master's room looked empty with just a bed and a reading table due to his recklessness, the room was still so beautiful.
"Our mistress has asked that you have breakfast with her this morning to discuss your marriage plan with Master Osvaldo." Hughes turned to look at Penny.
"There would be no marriage plan Hughes. I already spoke with your master last night. We're getting divorced." Both Hughes and Rosie who was about to prepare Penny's bath paused to look at her.
Have they done something wrong for her to leave? So far Penny's the only one who can take their mad master, she couldn't leave. Their mistress would kill them.
She has asked them to give the girl whatever she wanted and make her so comfortable that she wouldn't leave.
Hughes knelt down immediately. "Miss Penny, I'm sorry if I said anything wrong." Panny raised a brow at the apology.
Why is this woman apologizing?
Penny was not used to people falling at her feet even if she was still so fat and ugly. In her world, everyone hated her, no one wanted to be associated with her.
"What are you talking about Hughes?" Penny laughed a little. "You have done nothing wrong. Come on stand up." Penny said and Hughes obeyed, rising to her feet.
"T... Then why do you want to leave?" Hughes asked. The last thing she wanted was to get whipped because she couldn't convince her madam to stay here.
Abby will definitely not spare her or anyone in this place if Penny leaves. For the other girls that have died, she whipped them for their death and even starved them for a month including their madmaster. They all had no idea how food had magically appeared in their rooms then, but that was how they survived.
"Because I want to." Penny smiled. At the same time, Rosie stepped out of the bathroom. She had just finished preparing Penny's bath and was ready to attend to her mistress when she overheard their conversation.
"Your bath water is ready madam." She bowed. Penny smiled and was about to get out of bed when "You can leave Rosie, I'll take it from here." Hughes said.
"No, I want Rosie to attend to me," Penny said firmly.
Hughes paused, then nodded silently. She glanced at Rosie with a look full of unspoken meaning. Rosie returned the look with a faint nod.
She understood.
She was not to let Penny out of her sight. Not even for a moment.
Inside the bathroom, Rosie shut the door carefully behind them. Penny slowly stepped into the warm bath, the water rising around her body.
"You promised to help me escape," Penny said softly, her eyes watching Rosie.
Rosie lowered her head.
"I did, Miss Penny," she whispered. "I really meant it. But everything has changed. Barnaby doubled the guards last night. All the servants are watching you now. No one is allowed to take their eyes off you."
Penny frowned. "Why? What changed?"
Rosie looked at the door nervously, then leaned closer.
"Because… you're the master's chosen bride now."