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“This room is incredible,” she said, marveling over the opulence. “And this bathtub…it’s the size of a swimming pool.”
He chuckled as he turned on the water at three different angles. “When have you seen a swimming pool?”
“In Lisette’s books.” She watched him for a moment, then added, “You have running water to faucets?”
“Yes. I do enjoy some household amenities. Elevated water towers with air pressure and manual pumps create the flow of water. Boilers keep one tank hot. Be mindful of the temperature.”
“Duly noted,” she said. Then asked, “Why are you so adverse to electricity?”
“I haven’t discerned a real need for it yet.” The candles nestled in the elaborate wall sconces provided dim lighting that lent a degree of sensual, intimate ambience to the room.
Jade said, “Neither have I. Although, Lisette recovered a hair dryer from pre-war days.
I’d love to plug it in and give it a try. Hair this long takes some time to dry.”
“After three and a half decades, I’m not sure you’d want to test her relic. You might electrocute yourself.”
“Yes, there is that.”
He stood and stripped off his shirt. Her gaze never left his chest.
“You’re going to join me?” she asked, looking so hopeful, it made his heart twist. He’d do anything she asked of him. He’d learned that when he’d taken on the monstrous task of setting her bones. But in the grand scheme of things, it was hardly prudent to continue this path. He’d already crossed too many lines where she was concerned.
“No,” he said, with much regret. “I’m going to take a shower and then eat something while you relax in the tub. Take your time. Enjoy. I’ll bring you a book if you’d like.”
Her gaze swept the cavernous room. He always kept a blaze in the fireplace and Jocelyn, his personal housekeeper, had a penchant for leaving large, fresh floral arrangements on the end tables that accompanied the armless chairs scattered about.
“You’d better check on me periodically. I could move in here and you’d never hear from me again.”
He grinned. “If you like it, stay awhile. I’ll find you some reading material.” He left her and went into his library. He had a wide range of novels from which to choose. Military documentaries, classic American and British literature, world history… He had a feeling she’d studied up plenty on the latter, given Lisette’s collection, so he selected something different.
Returning to the bathroom, he handed over the novel.
“Pride and Prejudice.” Jade frowned. “Never heard of it.”
“Probably because Lisette’s idea of history doesn’t date past the early 1900s. This book was first published in 1813. I think you’ll find some interesting aspects to it.”
Jade flipped open the cover and a loose sheet of paper slipped out. Retrieving it and eyeing the printout, she asked, “What’s Wikipedia?”
“Oh, that. It used to be an online encyclopedia when we had computers and the Internet. That document is a synopsis of the book.”
Her eyes widened as she scanned the text. “Obsequious veneration? Pedantic nature?” Staring up at him, aghast, she said, “I have no idea what those words mean, but they sound absolutely horrifying.”
Davian laughed. “Don’t worry about them. Just read it. The story is hailed as one of the most romantic of all time.”
“A romance novel?” Her brow raised. “In your personal library?”
With a shrug, he said, “I like to stay abreast of all genres. Besides, I rather enjoyed the 1800s.”
“Jesus, you’re old.”
Another hearty laugh filled the room. “And you have a thing or two to learn about being couth.”
“Now that is a word I know. I just have difficulty employing the concept. Particularly around an arrogant king.”
He knelt beside her. “I haven’t been so arrogant.”
“No,” she murmured as she grazed his jaw with her fingers. “Maybe that’s not the right word. Confident better suits you.”
