Read Online Kade (NSC Industries) by D H Sidebottom - Free Book Online

slight tremor in her voice.
    “Oh, goodness and you too, my darling. So much.”
    They embraced for a moment until Grace seemed to remember
I was there and pulled away, her eyes flicking to mine before she walked to the
oven, peered in, smiled and then disappeared through a door at the back of the
kitchen.
    “Are you ready to eat, sir?” Mona queried and I nodded as
I frowned at the door Grace has gone through.
     
    My stomach rumbled extremely loudly when the casserole
was placed in the centre of the table, the vast amounts of steam swirling from
it matching the immense hunger now coursing through me as Mona scooped a huge
amount onto a warm plate. “So, Mr Hamilton, have you know Grace for long? She
said you were just friends.”
    I didn’t miss the probing scrutiny she slipped over me
with narrow eyes, as though debating whether I was worthy of being a friend to Grace.
    “Um, not really.”
    I wasn’t sure how much this woman knew of what Grace did.
The bureau was extremely secretive, I knew that and I didn’t want to accidently
give out any information that wasn’t privy to everyone.
    She glanced at me as confusion settled over her pale face,
obviously wondering why Grace would bring a friend home that she hadn’t known
for long, “More acquaintances.”
    She seemed appeased with that and I scanned the door
again. Where the hell had Grace gone?
    “So Mona, I take it you have known Grace a while.”
    She smiled widely and nodded as she placed a glass of
water in front of me and one in the place opposite for Grace. “I was Grace’s
nanny and the family’s housemaid.”
    “Ahh,” I mumbled around the rich, tender beef that my
taste buds were screaming in ecstasy with. “So you live here and take care of
the property?”
    “Well, I don’t actually live in the house. I have a small
cottage over behind the old stables. I just care for the old girl now.” She
seemed sad and a small sigh accompanied her words before she shook her head
glumly and removed her apron, prior to pulling on a coat that was hung on a
hook. “Well, I’ll see you in the morning Mr Hamilton. I’m hoping Grace will relent
and go hunt for a tree.” She giggled and I smiled widely at the happy infectious
sound.
    “A tree?”
    She gave me a stern bewildered look but the twinkle in
her bright green eyes gave away her giddiness, “Yes, a Christmas tree Mr
Hamilton. I can’t actually remember the last time the old girl was spruced up
and decorated for the season.”
    I nodded, “Well Mona, I’ll make it my mission tonight to
persuade her.” I gave her a wink and she physically shook with delight before
she bent close and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek, the scent of honeysuckle
and vanilla supplementing the sweet peck.
    “That would be wonderful.” She winked back as her eyes
widened, “A conspiracy, oooh how exciting.”
    I laughed as she left and pulled the door quietly behind
her, my whole body shivering as an icy breeze blasted around the kitchen with
the open door.
     
    I continued to eat on my own for a while and just as I
was about to go on the hunt for Grace, she reappeared. She walked over to the
door Mona had gone through and turned the key whilst sliding across the three
bolts and fixing the chain into the recess. “Secure enough?” I asked with a slightly
amazed laugh.
    She quirked a brow at me as she settled in the seat
opposite and filled her plate with food, “I take it you don’t do security?”
    I shrugged and shoved my empty plate aside, “Never really
had the need to.”
    She scoffed as she drank down her water and then tucked
into her meal, “Well believe me, now you do, Mr Hamilton.”
    “Will you call me Kade! You make me sound fifty.”
    She carried on eating as if I hadn’t spoken until her
phone rang. She glanced with a confused expression at the screen and swiped it,
“Beaumont.”
    Her jaw tightened as a sever fire blazed behind her eyes.
An iciness rippled around her as her whole body clenched