Chapter 49

Arriving back at the manor, Ansel immediately felt the chill in the air. He took off his coat and handed it to the butler. “What’s going on around here?” he asked. “As of late, there always seems to be issues here.”

“Everything is fine, sir,” Charles replied, hanging up the coat. “Is there anything else you need?”

Ansel raised his eyebrow. “No, not right now. Are you alright—”

“Charles,” Charles said, curtly. “My name is Charles, Sir Ansel.”

“I know your name.”

“Well, Sir, why is it you never call me it? You address everyone else by name except me. I wish not to be offensive, but it would mean a lot to me if you did.”

“Goddammit,” Ansel muttered under his breath. “This has Karin written all over it. Fine. I will address you by your name from now on.”

“Thank you, sir,” Charles said, beaming. “Will you be eating your lunch in the den?”

“No, I think I’ll have something quick in the kitchen. I have a few meetings to attend, and I’m in a bit of a rush.”

“Very well, sir.”

Entering the kitchen, for the second time, Ansel felt the shift in the air.

“What the hell is going on around here?” he asked Jeff.

“No clue, but I bet my life our mate is behind it.”

Bustling around the kitchen, the staff barely noticed him. “Here’s your sandwich, sir,” Charles said as he placed a simple tuna sandwich in front of him.

“Thank you, CHARLES,” Ansel said, taking a bite of his sandwich. Seeing Maggie walk in, he gave her a small smile. “Hello Maggie.”

“Sir Ansel.” Ansel raised his eyebrow again. Turning her attention to Charles, Maggie busied herself with cleaning. “So, who are you taking to the Blue Moon ball?”

He smiled. “Agnus, of course.”

“Oh! I’m so happy to hear that. She works so hard. I know she will enjoy a night out.”

He nodded. “ Yes, I asked her the moment the invitations were mailed. You know, the MOMENT that I found out a ball was happening. I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea about my intentions.”

“Smart man,” Maggie said as she dried the dishes. “You know my Henry faithfully asks me every year.”

“Really? But you two have been married for so long.”

“Doesn’t matter. He is a gentleman and gentlemen know how important courtship is. I never have to worry if his eyes wander or if he’s grown tired of me. He shows me every day that he’s crazy about me and asking me to the ball without just assuming I’ll be his date is another way he does it.”

Ansel looked back and forth between the two as they continued to talk. He bit aggressively into his sandwich, realizing that the more he looked around, the more he saw subtle glares and cut eyes staring back at him from the servants.

“Your Henry has been a gentleman since I’ve met him, so it’s nice to know that he hasn’t changed. I think that’s the problem that so many of us have. We automatically assume the other person knows our intentions and how we feel. That’s why I work so hard to communicate these things to Agnus, because I don’t want to be misunderstood and by default misplaced within her affections.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Ansel roared, slamming his sandwich down. Standing, he stalked through the manor to Karin’s room. He tore open the door, almost pulling it from the hinges. “How dare you turn my staff against me?!”

“Have you lost your marbles?!” Karin shouted back, covering herself. Realizing she was in her underwear, Ansel’s temper wavered slightly. “This is my room! You could have knocked!”

“Oh, like you did that time at my office?” Her face flushed, and he sneered. “If I recall, you weren’t too fond of knocking then. Furthermore, this is MY manor. Every room in it belongs to me.”

Karin shot daggers his way with her eyes. “Well, excuse me, your majesty. I think I got confused because when you asked me to move back in, this was called my room, but now since I’ve upset you somehow, it’s now your room, your manor.”

Ansel clenched his fist, feeling his temper flair again. “I’ve not come to argue with you. I’ve come because my staff are staging a coup against me because of you.”

“Me?!” Karin shouted, pointing to herself. “I see the deviant Blonde Angel who is never found guilty has returned! Have you ever thought that if they are staging a coup it’s because of something YOU did?!”

“No! They’re staging a coup because I didn’t ask you to the ball, which is insane because why would I ask you if you already know we will attend together!”

“How am I to know that unless you ask?!”

“What?! It’s a given!”

“To whom?! You’re still supposed to ask. I mean, Henry asked Maggie!”

“Oh, don’t I know it! Gentleman Henry can do no wrong!” Ansel exhaled sharply, knowing he sounded completely idiotic in the argument, but he couldn’t help it. There was something about Karin’s natural disobedience that immediately got under his skin. It infected those around her, making them as unruly as her. He rubbed his forehead. “Karin, will you please accompany me to the Blue Moon ball?”

“I’d love to, but is the seamstress able to make me a dress that matches you in time?”

“What? Why does your dress need to match with my robes?”

“Um, because I’m your date. Dates always match. You would know that if you went to your prom, but according to you, you were too cool to attend.”

“Well then, one would reason you would be clueless about it as well since you didn’t attend yours either.” Her nostrils flared and his jaw tightened, knowing she was about to set him off again. “What now?”

She put on her clothes. “I can’t believe you would bring that up. You know that I’m still hurt that I couldn’t make it to prom.”

Ansel’s eyes widened. “What?! You brought it up first!”

“To make a point! You said it to be mean. I think you should say sorry.” She shook her head. “On second thought, since you deem it unnecessary to match, how about we get an unbiased opinion. How about you ask Henry if he and Maggie will match?”

“Fine!” Ansel yelled and sent a link to Henry.

“Henry.”

“Boss. Is something wrong? I’m on the way.”

“No, no, I need you to settle an argument between Karin and I.”

“Okay. I’ll do my best.”

“Are you and Maggie coordinating colors for the ball?”

“Of course, sir. We’ve worn matching colors to special events since we went to prom together. I believe it’s a given for all couples.”

Ansel severed the link and contemplated how he could effectively strangle Henry without impeding his ability to do his job.

“What did he say?” Karin asked smugly, causing him to glare. “Thought so. I’ll have Maggie speak to the seamstress about my dress. You may have to pay a bit more because of the late, however.” Ansel continued to stare at her in irritation, and she placed her hand on her hip. “I know you’re probably busy today, but will you be on time for dinner?”

“Yes. I. will.”

“Great! I’ll see you then.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes. I would kiss you, but I am confusingly angry with you right now.”

“Okay,” she replied with a sweet smile. “Have a great rest of your day.”

Closing the door, Ansel found himself befuddled about the entire interaction. He started to open the door again, but stopped at the sound of Karin cheering.

“I can’t believe he really asked! I have to tell Joy and Maggie; Ansel is taking me to the ball!”

Shaking his head in amusement, Ansel left for his next meeting.