Ruthless King

42

Jilly stared down at the laptop in shock.

It was sitting in what had become her favorite room of the house. The solarium. Although she still loved the library, it just depended on her mood. The solarium had large, floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing the outside in. There was a comfy sofa in here and an old coffee table. A brand new laptop, packets of sticky notes, and a shiny black credit card sat on the table.

There was a note as well.

Usethe credit card for whatever you want or need.

It will make me happy.

Jilly grumbled.He just had to go and say it would make him happy, didn’t he?

Well, she guessed she could buy a few things. The thing that excited her the most, though, was the laptop.

And the sticky notes.

She clapped her hands in happiness and rushed out of the room. She had to thank him. It was the polite thing to do.

But after checking his office, their bedroom, the dining room, and living room, she realized she’d probably never find him without some help.

Rushing into the kitchen, she nearly crashed into Gerald.

“Oh my gosh, Gerald! I’m so sorry! Are you all right?”

“Never better. Can I help you, Miss Jilly?”

“I was looking for Regent. Do you know where he is?”

“He’s gone.”

“Gone?” She frowned. “I didn’t think he was leaving until later.” He’d told her that he wouldn’t be going out until after dinner.

“I believe something came up.”

“Right, uh-huh, sure.” It shouldn’t matter that he didn’t say goodbye. He didn’t need to check in with her all the time. She was his girlfriend, not his keeper.

But it kind of made her feel . . . forgotten.

“If it makes you feel better, I believe there was something urgent he had to attend to.”

“Of course. It’s all good. I’ve got to go get some work done.”

“Would you like me to bring you some coffee in an hour’s time?”

“Sheesh, you’re going to spoil me, Gerald! What will I do when I don’t have you?”

He tilted his head to the side. “I thought you were here to stay, miss.”

Right. Yes. She was.

She just wished she felt like she fit in here.

Give it time.

Everything will be all right.

Moving back into the solarium, she studied the credit card. Regent wanted her to use it. Maybe because he wanted her to have clothes that were more appropriate for this house, for her place as his girlfriend.