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“Is something wrong, Miss Langtry?”
“Um...” Looking around the enormous bedroom, Belle managed, “This is a really nice guest room.”
Her worst fears were realized when the older woman replied with a laugh, “Guest room? I know they say everything’s bigger in Texas, but honey, that would be crazy. This bedroom suite is bigger than most houses. It’s the master bedroom.”
Belle gulped. But before she could think of a good reply to explain there was no way she was going to be sleeping with the master in this bedroom, the housekeeper continued to the bathroom, proudly showing off the marble tub, sparkling silver fixtures and fresh flowers, with a skylight overhead. Now this, Belle could appreciate.
“You’ll find everything you could need or want... Mr. Velazquez said you were weary and dusty after traveling. We have everything you need for a nice, long bath.”
She showed Belle all the perfumes, French soaps, creams, shampoos so expensive that she’d only read about them in celebrity magazines. Belle had always thought rich people must be fools for spending fifty dollars on shampoo when the cheap generic brand got your hair just as clean. But as she sniffed the expensive shampoo tentatively, it did smell nice.
“Mr. Velazquez trusts you’ll be comfortable while he conducts some business this afternoon.” She opened a door. Belle followed her into a huge closet, with a chandelier and a white sofa.
The housekeeper indicated a red dress hanging alone in the closet. “He requests that you wear this tonight. Dinner will be served on the terrace at eight.”
Looking at the dress, Belle breathed, “It’s beautiful.”
“There are shoes to match, two-inch heels so you won’t be uncomfortable or off balance.” She smiled in the direction of Belle’s belly. “And also new lingerie.” She opened one of the drawers. “Silk. Here. Next to your other things.”
Lingerie? Belle blushed, suddenly unable to meet the other woman’s eyes. Looking around the huge closet, she saw a few scant clothes that had already been unpacked from her suitcase. But other than that and the red dress, the enormous walk-in closet’s racks and shelves were empty. “Where are Santiago’s clothes?”
“Mr. Velazquez’s clothes are in the master closet.”
“Isn’t this the master closet?”
“Oh, no.” Her friendly, chubby face widened in a broad smile. “This closet is designated just for the mistress of the house, that is, if there ever should be one.” Leaning forward, she confided, “You’re the first woman he’s ever brought to the ranch.”
“I am?”
“Goodness. Getting late.” Mrs. Carlson looked at her watch. “Everything you’ll need is here. We arranged toiletries, lotions, lipsticks, everything we could think of that you might want. My grandson is in a school play down at Alford Elementary tonight. The rest of the staff will be gone by eight.”
“You all don’t live here?”
“Oh, goodness, no. There are staff cottages on the other side of the lake. You and Mr. Velazquez can be completely alone.” Was it her imagination, or did the housekeeper wink? “Good night, miss.”
Belle stared indignantly after her. Why had she winked? What did she think would happen if she and Santiago were alone?
Nothing, she thought firmly, and locked the bedroom door to prove it. She glanced at the enormous bed. As comfortable as it looked, she would never share it with Santiago. But since he wasn’t here right now...
She climbed onto the soft, comfortable bed as days of worry and weariness caught up with her. Her head hit the pillow and she closed her eyes just for a moment.
When she woke, she realized by the fading sunlight that she’d accidentally slept for hours.
Rising from the bed, Belle saw the red dress hanging in the walk-in closet across the bedroom. Going to it, she let her fingertips stroke the soft fabric. She saw the designer tag and gulped. She didn’t know fashion, but even she had heard of that famous designer. And the shoes!
But it would be bad manners not to wear it.
Especially since it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen in real life, much less worn on her body.
Taking the dress and silk lingerie, she went to the enormous en suite bathroom and took a shower. As she stepped naked beneath the hot, steaming water, with six different spigots coming at her from all sides, she sighed in pleasure as the dust and heartbreak of the last three days were swept away. She tried the shampoo. Maybe the fifty dollars was worth it, she thought in a blissful haze. Though even a bargain shampoo would have been great in a shower like this.
Wrapping herself in a towel, she brushed out her long, wet hair. Opening a drawer, she found boxes of brand-new makeup, the high-end kind from department stores with the nice packaging, all lined up for her use, next to a variety of brand-new perfumes and pricey scented lotions. She tried it all, then put on the silk bra and panties. She almost moaned. So sensual. So soft.
Finally, she pulled on the red knit dress, which fit perfectly over her swollen breasts and baby bump. The soft fabric felt like heaven against her perfumed skin. Even her hands, which for the last year and a half had always been red and chapped from working as a waitress at the diner, felt soft, from all the lotions. She looked in the bathroom mirror.
Her hair now gleamed, tumbling down her shoulders, dark against her creamy caramel skin. Her cheeks were flushed pink from the heat of the shower. Her lips were ruby red to match the dress. Her brown eyes gleamed in the shadows beneath dark kohl and mascara.
Even to her own eyes, she looked...different.
