Soul Snatcher Read Online Free Page A

come with me,” Rosemary instructed. She was always kind but
when it came to serving, it had to be perfect. Her motto was; if
you’re going to do it, then do it right.
    Annie followed carefully
balancing the large, silver tray that held the tea and entrees.
Rosemary led the way into the parlour, mazing through the
extravagant, decorative manor. Annie hated the large portraits of
dead descendants in Miss Danes’ family, it was unnerving to see
them.
    They two women entered the
room silently. Miss Danes had chosen the sun room for her visit
today because it would only be a brief visit. The drapes were
pulled back and the late afternoon sun shone through the room. Miss
Danes and her guest sat opposite each other, with a small, mahogany
table in between them. The room was mostly windows so no pictures
were hung but there were a few vases scattered through the room
that held subtle flower arrangements. This room was modest compared
to the rest of the manor because it had the least furniture, which
is why Annie liked it so much.
    “Mr. Brighton, do tell me
of your travels,” Miss Danes asked of her guest.
    As Annie set her tray on
the serving table she glanced up to the company. To her shock Eli
was sitting across from Miss Danes on the large ottoman. She was
grateful that she had already set the tray down or she would have
dropped it. Rosemary and Annie silently set out the tea along with
the food and stood in the corner as they always did. Hands clasped
in front of them ready to serve, ensuring they did not look at the
guest. Inside Annie was panicking, what if he made reference to the
markets in front of Miss Danes? She would be in so much trouble and
there would be no way to deny it. It’s not as if she could call a
gentleman with money a liar when he wasn’t. She wouldn’t even get
away with that if he was!
    Annie gazed out the window
to avoid eye contact with Eli. The problem was, where he was
sitting directly faced her and she could feel his eyes on her
constantly. As her anxiety started to build the butler came in,
dressed perfectly in his fine suit, and addressed the hostess. He
was a middle aged man, kept to himself mostly and had been serving
Miss Danes for longer than Annie had been there.
    “Miss Danes, a caller is
at the door requesting your presence,” he announced softly. Miss
Danes paused in frustration but everyone there could tell she was
not impressed.
    “Mr. Brighton, do you mind
if I attend to this matter for a moment?” Miss Danes asked trying
to hide the irritation in her voice.
    “Not at all, Miss Danes.”
Eli stood as she left and remained standing after her exit. He
looked to Annie but she continued to avoid him. He walked right up
to her and stood in front of her, leaving Rosemary
aghast.
    “Annie, what a lovely
coincidence,” Eli said sounding pleasantly surprised. Rosemary
looked confused at the interaction.
    “Not to sound rude more
than once in a day but it would be best if we did not speak,” Annie
said as quietly as she could.
    “Then let us strike up
another bargain, shall we?” Eli almost told, rather than asked.
Annie looked to Rosemary for help but she just stood there
helpless, not knowing what to do. “Just a last name is all I will
ask for now,” Eli requested.
    Micah’s advice about being
more careful around men came to mind. What was she meant to do in a
situation like this? As she tried to think of the best course of
action she heard Miss Danes walking up the hallway.
    “Her last name is Belle,
Mr. Brighton,” Rosemary whispered frantically.
    “Annie Belle,” he tested
the name. “What a fitting name,” he said with a smile.
    “Please sit down, Mr.
Brighton,” Annie asked a little panicked.
    “Only if you promise to
call me Eli,” he negotiated.
    “Fine, Eli. Please sit
back down.” Annie gave in. He smiled and went back to his seat on
the settee. He stood as Miss Danes re-entered the room, as if he
had been sitting, waiting for her all along. Rosemary