A MAZE OF GREED

Ruth nervously followed Ida as she led her to Lady Theodora. The previous apprehensive glances had intensified into disdainful ones. Ruth felt like shrinking under those scornful gazes till no trace of her left behind.

Ruth was relieved a little when she did not find Lord Augustus along with his wife. So she had one less person to fear.

"My Lady!" Ida bowed, and so did Ruth.

"Leave us alone."

Ruth looked at Ida in alarm. She had not expected this. Ida hesitated, but after one commanding look by Theodora, she bowed again and left silently.

As the two ladies were left behind alone, Ruth felt awkward under Theodora's scrutinising gaze. The air in the room felt hot, as a thin layer of perspiration formed on Ruth's forehead.

"What did you do with Fannie?" Theodora went straight for the aim.

Her carved brows set in a frown, her eyes hard. The corner of her lips had turned down as her fingers tapped incessantly on her knee.

"I.. Er.. I..."

"Has a cat caught your tongue?" Ruth jumped at Theodora's raised voice.

Not trusting her voice anymore, she only shook her head.

"I heard your tongue did not felt heavy when you were insulting Eloise."

So she was not over it yet.

"I... I am sorry, My Lady. I..." Ruth was on the verge of crying.

Theodora stood up in one swift motion. Her chin held high in the air. She took a couple of steps towards Ruth that made Ruth fight the urge to back away in fright.

Circling around Ruth, Theodora assessed her like a hunter.

"There is something about you Ruth that I do not understand. I like you, trust me when I say that. But what is made me curious about you?

Would you like to tell me?"

Wiping her clammy hands on her dress, Ruth stressed out. "I do not know, My Lady.

"Hmm... then why not you answer my questions truthfully and we will find the answer together?"

Ruth nodded.

"How did you get Edwin's recommendation for the head maid's position? And think twice before lying or saying you do not know." Theodora's eyes clashed with Ruth's.

"I...I was told by Rees that Lady Elsie needed a head maid and that I should try for the job. I got to know that Lord Edwin recommended my name after I was appointed." Ruth told the truth, but Theodora did not seem satisfied with it.

"Why was that coachman Henry- I guess that is what his name- was told to drive you to and from your previous home?"

It was a surprise for Ruth that Lady Theodora knew so many details. Because she did not know what kind of a person she was.

Not meeting her eyes, Ruth answered, "Henry lives nearby and Rees did not want me to travel alone in the night after..."

"After?"

"After... an incident that happened just before I started working here. Some men... they... they tried..." Ruth could not push out the remaining words. She did not mention Harold Davies's name as she was still too scared to say anything about him to anyone.

Even when Rees asked her about what happened in his office, she left out some inappropriate details, and that was the reason why the man was still breathing and was safe from the fury of the blue-eyed monster.

"What is your relationship with Rees?"

Ruth was caught off-guard by that impromptu question.

"P-Pardon?" She asked dumbfoundedly.

Matching her gaze, Theodora elaborated her question. "What kind of relationship you share with Rees Welby?"

"He... he is my best friend and also fiancee of my other best friend." Ruth answered.

Something at the back of her mind told her that the direction in which this conversation was leading was not where she liked to go.

"Thea Green. Is not it what her name is?"

"yes."

"I heard they are getting married in a few days and it was love at first sight." Theodora cocked her brow.

Ruth only nodded her head.

"Then what are you doing? Playing a third wheel of the cart?"

"My Lady!" Ruth was shocked to hear that.

"Do not raise you voice!" Theodora thundered. "You know what they call such women. Homewreckers!"

Ruth's eyes watered hearing that. She had heard that before. Many people around her thought the same about her. But nobody had put that tag on her forehead before.

"You can fool the world by your beauty, but not me! I have seen plenty of opportunist women like you. I am Theodora O'Dell! Nothing can hide from my eyes."

"But my Lady-"

"DO you think that I am blind? Do you think I have not noticed your growing closeness with Elsie? You know that she is Edwin's favourite and thus you fought by her side with Eloise.

Rees... he is Edwin's obedient and loyal guard. He is your best friend. Lester, who is Edwin's best friend, likes you as a person.

Edwin, who would have might throw you in dungeons for scaring his cousin, did not even inflict any punishment on you.

Are not all odds in your favour, Ruth?"

Now crying boundlessly, Ruth joined her hands together. "Please, Lady Theodora. If you want to punish me for what happened with fannie then please do. But please, have mercy on me and stop with such heinous allegations."

But Theodora was not done yet. She had been patient till now, only observing Ruth and the behaviour of people around her.

"Allegations? Stop with your drama, Ruth. I know women like you very well. You are trying to use my nephew's kindness for your own gains."

Theodora cut the distance between them as she glared at Ruth. "Do not forget that everything that happens in 'the great manor' is according to MY wish. I will not let your plan to succeed. I-"

"Aunt Theodora!"

Her words remained in her mouth when a dominating voice echoed from behind Ruth.

Theodora's eyes widened seeing Edwin standing there. His face was an expressionless mask, his human was master in keeping his emotions hidden. But his wolf, he was not as skilled as his human.

Edwin's slightly darkened eyes told Theodora that he was agitated.

"Edwin?" She immediately masked her shock and tried calming her heart beats.

Over the years, while living with werewolves, she had learned to control her heartbeats so that they could not guess her thoughts hearing them.

Ruth was too ashamed to turn around and face him. Her heart was bleeding from the stabs of Theodora's sharp words.

Edwin's jaw ticked as he heard her pounding heart and the amount of pain she was carrying. Her stiffened cries made his wolf spurt in anger. His possessive wolf wanted to have the person under his paw who made his mate cry.

"What are you doing here Edwin?" Theodora asked.

Edwin restrained himself from glancing in Ruth's way when he walked forward to stand right beside her. Ruth felt some strangeness around her even though her mind was in frenzy. The light tingles dancing on her skin made her gasp for air.

"Someone is waiting for your presence, Aunt Theodora."

"And who is that?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

Something changed in Edwin's eyes as he told, "Douglas Morgan."

Theodora took a deep breath while matching Edwin's stare. She did not want to back away from his scrutiny.

"Well... he can wait. I was having an important conversation with Ruth here." Theodora tried dismissing it.

But Edwin was not willing to leave his mate at the mercy of this proud woman.

"And what is that, if I may know?" He asked.

The metallic smell of blood hit through his nostrils, and he clenched his hands into fists behind his back. That sweet smell of his mate's blood lured his beast, making him hungry for her taste.

Ruth did not taste the blood that she drew by biting her cheek. She just wanted to be anywhere but here. Edwin's presence was too overwhelming for her.

"You do not know?" Theodora feigned surprise. "Ruth fought with Fannie and did something to her that Fannie fainted. The physician said that Fannie is under shock and she fainted due to lack of oxygen." She explained.

"And you think Miss Moore did it?"

Theodora did not miss the touch of anger in his voice. And the fact that he used 'Miss Moore' was something new to her ears. As a well-known womanizer, the only women he respected those who either belonged to his family or the elderly family friends.

She had not forgotten how she found him with one of her friends in a compromising situation. That woman was way older than him. But she was a human and Edwin... as a werewolf, the rate of his ageing was different from the humans.

That woman might have fainted after knowing Edwin's real age. Theodora had not forgotten how she had to handle that situation with Augustus. This good for nothing nephew of hers had always brought humiliation to his family.

And now he was defending a mere maid?! That could not be just a coincidence, could it be?

"Of course! She was the only one there with Fannie. Clearly she did something to her." Theodora said confidently.

"Then I assume the physician has also seen marks of strangling or something on Fannie's throat, right aunt?"

Theodora kept silent.

"You should first look into the proof before accusing someone, aunt Theodora. At least that is something expected from you after all this time."

That comment of Edwin's pricked her pride.

To not face any more humiliation and sensing that Edwin was on the verge of letting go of his facade, she decided to play her usual game- the game of pretence.

Her face turned apologetic instantly as she pursed her lips. "You are right, Edwin. I should have look at the proof first. There were no marks on Fannie's throat. I must be mistaken." She said, trying to sound genuine.

Ruth was surprised to see that sudden change of attitude in Theodora. But Edwin was too smart to see through her game.

"Ruth" Theodora said, turning to her. "Please do not mind my words. Fannie is working for me for years now, and she is like a daughter to me. I was heartbroken seeing her in that state.

I should have been careful with my words. I hope you are not upset with me?"

She placed her hand on Ruth's shoulder and squeezed it. The action seemed gentle, but anything than that.

It was a subtle warning.

Ruth only nodded, not knowing how to react.

Edwin then turned to walk out of the room before saying, "Elsie needs your attention Miss Moore."

Taking that as her golden ticket for the exit, Ruth hurried to follow him. But Edwin halted in his steps when he heard Theodora's voice from behind.

"Ruth, you are a sweet girl. I will have my eyes on you so you do not need to worry."

And that was Theodora's way of promising the beginning of a rivalry!