Demon of Mine Read Free Page A

heart beat in double-time. “Doubtless this is
some misfortune that would have befallen me no matter where I’d
made my home.” She attempted to flex her knees again and achieved
some small measure of success. If she could just get her legs under
her, she could at least kneel – anything would be more dignified
than lying on the floor with her head in Jenny’s lap while
practically looking up her mistress’s skirts.
    “ I disagree.” Mrs.
Remington’s words sent real fear lancing through Elsie’s heart. The
woman’s word was as good as law on the grounds of her estate, as
well as in more than a few locations throughout the city. As the
wife of one of the wealthiest men in London, few dared to openly
contradict her, let alone a lowly maid who owed her life to her
generosity. If not for Mrs. Remington taking her on as a young
scullery maid despite her complete lack of experience, Elsie likely
would have starved or suffered worse fates to scrape by. She
swallowed the thick lump of anxiety that’d formed in her throat as
Mrs. Remington continued. “If anything will do you good, it’s fresh
country air. I have a mind to send you to our Hertfordshire
estate.”
    Jenny gave a small gasp, her fingers
tightening around a clump of Elsie’s hair.
    Mrs. Remington continued as if she
hadn’t heard. “I’m sure the air and quiet there would improve your
health greatly.”
    Hertfordshire? Elsie’s heart thumped
madly as she swallowed another lump. It wasn’t far from London, but
it might as well have been a thousand miles away for all she’d get
to see Jenny, or her other friends among the household staff. The
thought was depressing, but there was a silver lining by the name
of Damon Remington – the heir to the Remington industrial empire.
She’d harbored a deep fascination with him ever since he’d rescued
her by convincing his mother to take mercy and hire her as a
scullery maid. He lived mostly at the country estate in
Hertfordshire with his sister Lucinda, and Elsie was seldom treated
to a sight of him. When he did visit his parents at the London
estate though… Her heart fluttered at just the thought. To think of
living in his household, of seeing him nearly every day…
    She was a fool, of course. Swooning
over Damon, the impossibly handsome and unfathomably wealthy heir,
was something she’d have left to girls both younger and more
foolish than herself, if she’d had any sense. She allowed herself
the private indulgence though, a bit of secret excitement in her
relatively dull housemaid’s life. Damon would never know. Her heart
would keep the secret, and beat all the faster for it.
    “ Elsie, do you think you
can stand?” Jenny was lifting Elsie’s head out of her lap and
trying to coax her into a sitting position, apparently doing her
best to convince Mrs. Remington that Elsie was perfectly fit for
service at the London estate.
    Elsie nodded, her head swimming with
visions of Damon’s midnight hair and dark eyes. With Jenny’s help,
she managed to make it to her feet. Her knees wobbled, though
whether from lingering weakness or simply thoughts of the Remington
heir, it was impossible to tell.
    Jenny put an arm around Elsie’s
shoulders and held her steady. “Shall I see her to bed, Mrs.
Remington?”
    A knock came at the antechamber door,
swiftly followed by a handsome footman, who announced that Mrs.
Remington’s son, Damon, had arrived for a visit.
    That was Damon, always mysterious and
fond of arriving unannounced. Elsie was grateful for Jenny’s
support, though she hoped to break free before her friend could
usher her into bed. She didn’t intend to miss a chance to lay eyes
on Damon, even if only for a moment in passing.
    “ Very well,” Mrs. Remington
said, showing just an inkling of surprise before she smoothed her
beautiful features. “Tell him I shall wait here for him. And have
one of the maids bring another tea tray.” The faintest hint of a
frown tilted her mouth as she watched