Closing her bedroom door, Leah leaned against its smooth wood. She expelled one long breath in an attempt to calm the erratic rhythm of her heart.

"What's wrong with me?" she whispered as she placed a slender hand on her chest. Her hand still burned where he'd kissed it, and his dancing green eyes were branded in her memory. Never had her body reacted so wildly to another person before. This left her confused and irritated.

Yet... also longing for more. A huge part of her regretted she'd be disappearing for a majority of the morning to come. An idea of changing her plans and instead enjoying breakfast with her father's handsome acquaintance tickled her mind, but she shoved it away.

First, I get rid of the butler. Then, I can talk Father into inviting Wren back again. Even thinking his name caused her to melt further into the wood of her door. "Wren," she whispered, then giggled. In that moment, she determined that the next time she saw him, she wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste.

#

"I still don't get why you're here. At five in the mornin'." Bates Westerman eyed the man who'd so rudely entered his private space not ten minutes ago. Bates had been informed of Tony's new recruit, but he hadn't planned or wanted to meet him so early in the morning.

"I'm not able to give my reason. Sorry, but I gave my word," the so-called butler said, but for the first time since entering, he tore his gaze from the screen that monitored Leah's space and smiled small. "No offense."

Bates stroked his smooth chin, grunted. "You're not going to make a habit of interrupting my peace and quiet, are ya? I enjoy my solitude." He didn't know how to make it any clearer that he didn't like tagalongs on the job.

"I hope not!" Adams chuckled, then said under his breath, "I just don't know what time she's putting her plan into action."

Bates arched a curious brow. But... Why press the issue? It wasn't his business, and he wasn't a gossip.

Silence reigned, and Bates had almost reached a blessed headspace of forgetting another was in his guard shack. Then, Wren sighed, and Bates decided Adams was an annoying whippersnapper.

"She must have a plan, but what?" Adams muttered. Bates rolled his eyes, refrained from telling him to 'shut it'. Adams faced him. "If someone was planning a quick exit from the mansion, when would be the best time?" he asked.

"Prolly noon. When Edward and I switch shifts."

Adams frowned. "Too late in the day. What about in the morning?"

"Not really," Bates said. He thought hard. "Well, Hildie usually brings breakfast at six-thirty, sharp. I suppose if Miss Kingsley was wantin' to bolt, it might be then."

Adams brightened, grinned. Without another word, he turned back to watch the screens. Bates inhaled a patient breath and glanced at his watch. 5:45 a.m.

Longest waiting game ever.

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Leah slipped from her room at 6:15 a.m. Excitement coursed through her as she headed down the hall toward the staircase, but when Hilda emerged from a side door, she smothered a groan. So much for sneaking out unseen.

"Land sakes, child! What are you doing up so early?" Hilda peeked at her from over the bundle of dirty laundry she carried. "You're even dressed."

"I couldn't sleep."

The housekeeper made a 'tsk' sound. "The one day you don't have to go to school, and you can't sleep." Hilda's eyes widened. "Fiona did tell you your Father wanted you home today to meet your butler, didn't she?"

"Yes, she did. Don't worry about me. I'm just going to the Lounge to watch TV."

"Very well. Do you need anything brought to you?"

"No, I'm fine. Don't bother Fiona either. This is her quiet time."

"Alright, but if you need anything, call me over the intercom."

"I will, Hilda. Thank you. But I can take care of myself for a little while. I'm not a toddler anymore."

Hilda sighed. "No, you aren't a child. I suppose it is high time I let you grow up. You always have been an independent girl. I know you get frustrated with my doting sometimes."

You have no idea, Leah thought. She kissed Hilda's cheek. "I'm off. Don't work too hard."

Soon, Leah was settled on a couch, flipping half-heartedly through the channels but paying more attention to the ticking clock than to the animations flashing across the large, flat screen.

It won't be long now. Hilda would deliver breakfast to Bates. While he was distracted by her yummy food, Leah would make her move.

When the grandfather clock donged 6:30 a.m., Leah leaped to her feet and dropped to her knees beside the couch. She thrust her hand in the open space between the couch and floor and searched. And searched. It couldn't be...

She dropped flat onto her stomach, pressed her cheek against the cold floor, and searched again the space beneath the couch where the shredded sheets were supposed to be. Her hands and eyes came up empty.

Her mind scrambled for an answer. Teasing green eyes shimmered in her mind's eye. At first, Leah felt only disbelief. Then, her temper flared.

She climbed to her feet and glared at the security camera. Somehow, she knew that he watched her, waited for her reaction. He had kept his word and not told a soul but had managed to stop her rebellious actions.

Why hadn't she considered this? As a friend of Daddy's, he would naturally do something to stop her.

She closed her eyes, bemoaned her foiled plans. Her frustration melted. Melted into a thirst for revenge. Wren Adams didn't seem to know who he was messing with. A fiendish smile curved her lips.

"You want a reaction, Mr. Adams? I'll give you one." She marched to the window, flipped the latch, and opened the window. A wave of dizziness overtook her as she stared at the green grass below. "It's not as high as it looks," she whispered. Which was true. It wasn't a great distance, but the ground was slanted, more of a hill.

I can't let him get the better of me! With that thought, she slid over the window's ledge, digging her fingers into the metal frame. She let her body dangle full length down the side of the mansion wall. Then, glancing down at the remaining distance, she released her grip and fell.

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Wren swallowed a laugh as Leah flopped on the floor and shoved her hands under the couch. Hilda served Bates breakfast at the door, but even the pleasant smell of bacon wasn't enough to distract him. This job was turning out to be way too much fun! He grinned as Leah climbed to her feet, but when she glared at the camera, his smile transformed into a concerned frown. A smile—a strange, evil smile—lifted her lips.

"She wouldn't," he whispered. She did. She flung the window open and threw herself over the edge.

"No!" Breathing became difficult. He scrambled to find the computer that monitored that segment of the yard.

"What's wrong now?" Bates growled as he came to Wren's side.

"Land sakes!" Hilda cried. They all stared at the same screen; it portrayed a young woman dangling alongside the mansion's wall, a rather severe incline beneath her.

"Everything's fine, Hildie," Bates said. He tapped a button that made the camera zoom in to Leah. "She's only got about three more feet to go. She'll be fine."

Leah released her grip and landed on her feet. But the hill was too much. She stumbled backward, fell, and rolled down the hill. Seconds ticked by, but then, she leaped to her feet, appearing unharmed. Wren blew out a stressed breath.

"What a crazy kid!" He slammed his palm on the metal table, causing Hilda to jump. Bates laughed. It was the first joyful sound he'd heard from the man.

"Couldn't agree more." Bates grinned. "Want to know what else she is?"

Slightly annoyed, Wren looked at him.

"Fast." Bates jabbed his bald head toward the screen, and Wren glanced back as Leah disappeared into the woods.

Wren groaned as his frustration soared. This hadn't been the plan.

Bates moseyed to the door, and it seemed to Wren he was in no big hurry. He opened the door, signaled Wren to leave. "Welcome to the Kingsley Mansion."

Wren didn't appreciate the humor in Bate's tone.

#

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