Later that morning, Arabella stood in the servants' vestibule with her sleeves rolled to the elbow, her dark hair pinned high like a crown of thorns. Jonah stood to her right, silent, his hands folded neatly before him. Lisette hovered on the other side of the narrow room, her lips pressed so tightly they nearly vanished.
Arabella spoke with the tone she reserved for contracts and courtrooms.
"He'll serve as houseman until I say otherwise. Light duties. No guests are to see him, and he is not to be questioned."
Lisette didn't move. Didn't blink. "You should not have brought him in."
"I've already done it, Lisette. And if you continue questioning my decisions, you'll find the front gate swings just as easily open as shut."
That made Lisette flinch, but only slightly.
"I cleaned his wounds. Dressed him in Elias's linens. And he hasn't spoken a word since." So ungrateful Arabella mumbled.
She turned to Jonah and gave him his task.
"You'll begin in the east wing. Start with the gallery. Polish only the frames. The paintings stay as they are. If you find any personal effects of Elias's, bring them to me. Do not… under any circumstance… enter the music room."
Jonah stared at her, unblinking for some couple of minutes then gave a single nod in acknowledgement.
The air between them felt charged. Not warm, but dense, like standing just before a thunderclap.
Arabella turned and walked out, expecting to hear Jonah follow.
But Lisette's voice stopped her at the threshold.
"There are reasons certain doors were shut."
Arabella didn't turn around but retorted by saying. "And there are reasons you're still in my house."
A long silence ensused between then
Then almost immediately heavy hesitant footsteps sounded behind them.
Jonah passed her.
He didn't glance back at either woman.
But as he entered the hall leading to the east wing, Arabella immediately felt the change.
The air temperature dropped but not sharply, but enough to be noticed. A hush followed him like a veil. It was as though the house itself held its breath when he passed through.
She wrapped her shawl tighter around her arms, though she didn't feel cold.
But just… watched.