Page 35 of The Haunted Hotel

“A,” Edwina mouths at him.

“Subsection Q twenty-one?” he finishes hesitantly.

Stanley draws in a sharp breath, his eyes widening. “Leaving ectoplasmic deposits in a public area?”

“Uh, y—” He looks once again to Edwina, who’s nodding. “Yes, that’s right,” the admiral says with a bit more conviction. “Some complete cad has left an epto-clasmic deposit in the back gallery.”

Skid snorts loudly.

“Good lord, this place is a zoo,” Stanley mutters and dematerialises along with the others.

I let out a deep breath in relief. “Thank god, that should keep him busy for a bit. Leona, keep an eye out in case he comes back.”

“Why, what are we doing?” Roger asks gleefully.

“What do you think?” I reply. “We’re going to make sure Morgan and Ellis have their first date.”

11

Itry not to trip as I cross the dining room, weaving around empty tables and chairs while I carry the tray with Morgan’s meal balanced on it.

He’s so handsome, bathed in soft lamplight as he sits quietly looking out of the window, watching the snowfall.

He must be exhausted after travelling—not just the travelling,I think to myself. He has shadows under his gorgeous dark eyes and there’s a constant tension in his shoulders. This is a man who doesn’t slow down and rest, I’m certain of it. Maybe being snowed in here will do him some good, and I don’t mean because of the opportunity to get to know his grandfather. Just the chance to stop and breathe. He looks like he needs it.

“Here we go.” I set the silver tray on the table and lift the deep dish filled with fragrant stew topped with fluffy golden dumplings, then place it down in front of him.

He breathes in deeply and his stomach lets loose another loud growl.

“I guess I should really stop missing meals,” he says self-deprecatingly, and I smile.

“Dilys will bring you over a bottle of wine and a glass,” I tell him as I fill his water glass and pick up the empty tray. “I’d havebrought it myself, but Dilys doesn’t like other people doing her job for her. She’s been here a long time and she’s very set in her ways.”

“She’s the bartender, right?” he replies, and I nod. “So let me get this straight.” He cocks his head a fraction as he studies me. “Dilys is the bartender, Aggie is the cook, John?—”

“The Maid,” I add, and a small smile tugs at his mouth.

“John the Maid is the… maid. Rosie is office staff and you…” His lips purse thoughtfully as he continues to watch me. “You are the receptionist, you carry luggage, and you’re the waiter too?”

“I also organise events, mow the lawns, and look cute in a French maid’s outfit.” I give a laugh of amusement.

His eyes flare with interest and I mentally admonish myself for flirting. I need to be professional for goodness’ sake. “I’m sure you do,” he murmurs.

“I don’t even remember what my official job title is.” I shrug. “I just do whatever I’m needed to. It was different when we had more staff, but then again, we had more guests too. Now it’s quiet more often than not. During these periods, I help John the Maid with the cleaning.”

“I see.” His eyes slide over me slowly, and I fight the urge to squirm under that intense gaze. It’s making me restless in the most inconvenient way, which means I should probably leave him to his meal before I do something thoroughly unprofessional like climb into his lap and rub myself all over him. Those dark eyes and that sexy accent… All I want to do is have him whisper dirty,dirtythings into my ear while his soft-looking lips skim over my skin. My verynakedskin.

“Sorry?” I blink, realising he’s speaking to me once again. Definitely need to do something about this dry spell soon.

“I said have you eaten yet?”

I shake my head. “No. I’ll just grab something in the kitchen.”

“Why don’t you join me?” he offers.

“Oh.” My stomach jolts in surprise and warmth spreads through my chest and colours my cheeks. “No, I couldn’t. I should be working.”

He glances around the deserted dining room and then back to me, raising one brow pointedly. “Doing what, exactly?”