Transformed [W&W Book 1]

Chapter 29

Theresa finished eating. "Would you like a piece of pie?" the chef offered.

"Oh, please," Theresa said. Chef's cooking was supreme and she would have to be careful not to overeat.

When she finished her piece of apple pie, she wondered what she should do next. "Do you play chess, chef?" she asked.

Afraid not. Mister Allendale enjoys it but I've never been particularly good at it."

"Oh, that's fine then," Theresa said, wondering what she could do to pass the time. She finally had the hands to play but no one to play with because she had been abandoned by her sister.

"Why don't you teach Matt how to play?" the chef suggested.

"M-m-m-me?" squeaked the boy, horrified.

The chef smiled. "You work very hard. It would be okay if you took a break now and again."

Theresa shrugged. "Would you like to learn?" she asked as gently as she was able. She did not want him to feel bullied into it even if it may be good for him.

He nodded, looking very much as if he would rather be thrown in a dungeon than play a game with her. Theresa shrugged again and went to find the board and pieces she had seen her sister using.

Once a board had been obtained, Theresa began to teach the boy how to play.

When he finally got over the worst of his fear of her he turned out to be a very clever boy. Once he had learned the pieces and moves, he was a rather competent player for a beginner.

Theresa's beautiful vision of beating Thomas into the ground transformed into an even more appealing vision. She could clearly picture the look of surprise on Sir Thomas' face when he was beaten by her new protégé, a mere kitchen boy. He could surely learn to play better than her sister.

Besides the incredibly compelling thought of Thomas' chess related downfall, Theresa felt sorry for the shy boy and thought it might build his confidence.

After two games, Matt whispered that he needed to go back to work and Theresa did not argue. She sat around the kitchen idly, watching the activity in the kitchen.

The chef clearly noticed her boredom and suggested, "Why don't you go down to the stables and get Mister Allendale to provide you a horse and groom?"

Theresa thought about the idea. What if she was still so terrified on the horse that it sensed it and panicked? She had long believed that horses responded better to calm riders who remained in control. That was in part why she had been such a good rider. Even under her aunt's compulsion magic, her personality had peeked through.

But now she had this ridiculous unease to face up to and she really did not want to.

But she also did not want to stay away from horses forever, either. While she clearly recalled the fear of her cat self, she also could remember when she had rode fast and how wonderful it had felt. Perhaps she could ask for a calm and gentle mount to begin with. She clenched her teeth at the thought.

"That's a good idea," she said finally. "Thank you, chef."

"Always happy to help, my lady," chef said as she kneaded some dough. "You've got a couple of hours before supper, if you wish to eat in the small dining room with the others. Of course, you can always come here, or send for a tray," she added.

"I might do that. Thank you, chef, Matt," Theresa said as she went out the kitchen entrance to the outside world.

Theresa realized that it was the first time that she had been outside since she had regained her true body.