Read Online A Cry at Midnight by Victoria Chancellor - Free Book Online Page A

ever.
    "Do you need Lebeau to show you to your room?"
    "No, I'll find it."
    "Did you have a meal this evening?"
    He thought her hand on her stomach meant she was hungry. If only he knew about her loss . . . but then, he wouldn't allow her around his daughter. Having short hair and wearing jeans was sin enough to be condemned. She didn't dare admit she'd slept with a man who wasn't her husband.
    "Melody brought me a plate to my room earlier."
    "I can have something sent from the kitchen, if you'd like."
    "No, that's okay. I'm not really hungry." Besides, she could just imagine him waking the cook to fix something complicated and time-consuming for her. She couldn't do that to the servants, who no doubt worked hard without having extra duties. If she were at home, she'd pop a Lean Cuisine dinner into the microwave, but she knew pre-packaged food wasn't an option in this time.
    "Very well." Mr. Durant walked toward the doorway, but stopped before leaving. "Please don't linger, Miss Galloway."
    "Of course not." Apparently he didn't want her wandering around his house unattended. She couldn't really blame him; after all, he didn't know her very well, and she wasn't sure he totally believed her story about losing her clothes. The lie was already told, though, and she couldn't take it back. Besides, she didn't have a better story.
    She raised her skirt slightly, following him to the door. Once in the hallway, he motioned her to precede him up the stairs.
    "I'll have someone nearby in case you require any assistance during the night."
    "I'm sure I'll be fine," she lied, knowing she'd felt this emotionally whipped only once before in her life. She wouldn't think about that other time, however. She had enough on her mind for now.
    Randi walked slowly up the stairs, depressed and confused about her reason for traveling to the past, her options while she was here, and how she'd return. The longer she stayed, the more she'd care about the little girl in her daddy's arms.
    If she didn't watch herself, she might even start caring about Jackson Durant. She'd be better off staying half-afraid of him, half-angry at him. He certainly gave her plenty of ammunition.
    "I insist," he said, breaking into her thoughts, bringing her back to their conversation. And reminding her of how bossy he was.
    Randi stopped on the landing where the stairway split into two sections and continued upward. Turning toward the "master," she asked, "Do you mean that someone will sleep outside my door?"
    "That's common, Miss Galloway, or have you forgotten?"
    "No, I haven't forgotten. I just don't appreciate the custom."
    "Nevertheless, you're a guest in my home. I would feel remiss as a host if I didn't make one of the servants available to you."
    "Someone like Melody."
    "Yes," he said, his tone suspicious.
    "I don't want her sleeping on the floor. I'd feel terrible knowing that she didn't have a bed."
    "Miss Galloway, the conditions of my servants is hardly your concern. I assure you that she'll be quite comfortable. It's an honor for her to stay in the house."
    "Rather than in the slave quarters," she finished for him, knowing she was again stepping over the bounds, but unable to stop herself from expressing her disapproval of the lifestyle of this time.
    "Exactly. Now, if you'll continue to your room, I'm sure everyone will be able to get settled for the night."
    "Can she sleep inside my room?" Randi asked, not budging from her place in the middle of the landing.
    He stepped closer. "Why is this important to you?"
    "I . . . I'm not sure. All I know is it feels wrong to make another human being lie on the floor like a dog just because I might need a drink of water or have a bad dream."
    "Do you have bad dreams often, Miss Galloway?" he asked, stepping closer.
    "No," she said, ignoring memories of the occasional night tremors that had no form or substance, waking her from a sound sleep, drenching her in sweat and making her shiver in dread.
    "If you don't wish to start