Chapter 19 - A Cook's Fury, A Daughter's Pain

I slipped into the kitchen quietly, hoping to find a moment of peace after witnessing Clara's cruel burial of my kitten. The warm, familiar smells of baking bread and herbs enveloped me as I stepped inside.

"Matteo?" I called out softly.

The old cook startled, nearly dropping the pot he was scrubbing. His weathered face broke into a smile when he saw me, but concern quickly replaced it.

"Miss Isabella! Should you be here? I thought you were confined to your room after... well, after everything."

I shrugged, settling onto a wooden stool near his worktable. "I needed to see a friendly face."

Matteo dried his hands on his apron and studied me. "You look different today. Something's happened."

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "I'm getting married, Matteo."

His bushy eyebrows shot up. "Married? To whom?"

"The Duke of Blackwood."

Matteo's mouth fell open. "Duke Thorne? The one they call—"

"The monster," I finished for him. "Yes, that one."