Chapter 11 - The Duke's Morning Arrival

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of my prison. I'd spent the night hungry, but focused on tending to Mittens. Her injured leg had been carefully splinted with thin pieces of wood from my hairbrush and strips of fabric. She slept now, nestled in a makeshift bed I'd created from a pillow.

My stomach growled painfully. Lady Beatrix had made good on her promise—no food since yesterday afternoon. It wasn't the first time I'd gone hungry in this house, though. I stroked Mittens gently, drawing comfort from her soft purrs.

"Just a little longer," I whispered. "He'll come today."

Outside my locked door, I could hear the household stirring. Footsteps passed by without pausing. No one would check on me until Lady Beatrix decided my punishment was sufficient.