Love For Hire

Chapter 12: 12

Kinsley came down to the dining room for lunch, hoping to see Nicholas. It had been two days since they had been at the hospital, and she had not seen Nicholas. He had gone straight to his room and locked himself in the moment they returned and had not come out. He had rejected food and company. He sat alone in his room in the dark, killing bottle after bottle on his own.

The biggest fear with the staff was that Nicholas would try to take his own life again, but Octavius checked on him four times a day and assured the staff he was still alive. From what she knew, Nicholas never let him in, but Octavius had a key to the room for a situation just like this. Kinsley asked if it ever upset Nicholas that he let himself in when he wanted to be alone, but Octavius told her his orders came directly from the King who outranked Nicholas, so he did it despite the Prince’s objections.

She walked into the dining room to see only one place setting yet again. “He is still not coming down?” She asked Octavius.

“No, Miss. Wells. He is still in a dark place.”

She took a seat and ate her meal. She thought about Nicholas. She had to pull him out of his despair. She wanted to show him his life could still be worth living that he worried those who cared for him. When she was finished, she stood up and looked at Octavius. “Would you please let me into his room?”

“I do not think he would appreciate that. He wants to be alone.”

“Precisely why he should not be. He needs to know he is not alone.”

Octavius sighed. “Alright, I will let you in, but when he becomes verbally abusive, do not try to stop you.”

They made their way upstairs to Nicholas’ room. Octavius unlocked the door and held it open for her. She went inside, and Octavius shut the door. The room was dark. The curtains were closed, and only the odd beam of sunlight peeked through the drapes and stretched across the floor. She walked around the bed to find Nicholas sitting slumped in the armchair he had been in the first night they met with a mostly empty bottle of whisky in his right hand. Like the first night, he was unkempt and dishevelled, wearing a pair of slacks and no socks or shoes. His expensive shirt was untucked, unbuttoned, and wrinkled. She realized he had not changed from the hospital. He had worn these clothes for days. The growth on his jaw was thicker, and his dark hair was unwashed and unbrushed. Leaning against the arm of the chair next to him, the support cane the hospital had given him. He was a complete mess.

“Who is there?” He asked quietly.

“Kinsley,” she said, realizing she was in his blind spot. He turned his head, trying to see her, so she came closer and positioned herself right in front of him where he could see her.

“What do you want?”

and knelt down in front of him, placing her hand over

“Go away.”

not be alone. Let me stay,” she looked him over. Have you done anything but sit here and get drunk?” He did not answer, which in itself was an answer. He smelled of BO and booze. She came to her feet and taking his hand. She coaxed Nicholas to his feet. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up. You will feel

fight her on it. She led him into the washroom and let go of his hand so she could fill the large claw bathtub with hot water. While the tub filled, she reached for his wrinkled shirt and helped him take it off. She tossed it in a hamper and then helped him

She took a cloth, and somebody wash from the counted and knelt on the floor next to the tub. She started by soaking the washcloth and dragging it over his face and hair. He

feel good. Better than sitting

over his chest, and his hand came up and caught hers, stopping her but holding her hand against him. He was facing straight ahead, and she was sure he

smiled. “You are smelling to soap,” she teased, and the

smells

but she had put it on hours ago, and she would have thought the smell had faded. “I am impressed. I would not think you could

It is

wear it more

have been thinking,” he

have had a lot of time to

releasing you from our contract,”

up at him,

this. So, I release you from

gesture. I made a commitment. You are stuck with me for the next three months. Even if you drop dead tomorrow, I am staying in this palace until the end of my contract. After all, when will I ever get waited on like this again?” She

You have a way of making me

millions of people who are blind and live fulfilling lives. Vision is overrated,” she said as she used the wet cloth to pour water over his

coaxing her to come and sit on the edge of the tub, so she was directly in front

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