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Chapter 5
ERIN
I stood in the middle of a guest suite the size of my entire apartment and the one next to it. If I’d been capable, I would have done cartwheels because it wasthatbig.
“This is amazing,” I gushed, staring at the lush drapes that covered the floor-to-ceiling windows, the wooded bed frame carved with leaves and flowers, the jeweled chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
Ray shut the door and put my suitcases on the bed. “There’s time for a shower before dinner if you want to freshen up.”
“God, yes!” My excitement came in an unreasonable amount and I smiled softly, like a lady. “Thank you. That’s a great idea.” Same sentiment, less enthusiasm.
Ray walked over to a door at the other side of the room and pushed it open. “Private bathroom is through here.”
Oh, I had to see what a bathroom in a royal castle looked like. The clawfoot tub was a swimming pool. White marble as far as the eye could see with gold faucets. Probably real gold. This room was also large enough to turn a few cartwheels, and I looked at Ray. “I might need a map to take a...” My mouth twisted. “Shower.”
His eyebrows pushed together, and his lips thinned. “I don’t understand. The shower is in the lavatory beside the...” He smiled. “Are you teasing me, Miss Wright?”
I chuckled. “Caught me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded. “If you don’t need me anymore, I’ll leave you to it.” Ray nodded to the door, gave a slight bow in my direction then stood straight and tall.
He really did have the most incredible posture.
“Thanks for all your help today, Ray,” I said, and laid my sweater over the back of a chair, sighing into the silence. After being in an airport then a plane, then another airport and more travel, it was nice just to stand still in the quiet.
“You’re welcome, Miss Erin.” He winked at me, then left quietly.
I should’ve asked him about the backpacking trip, but I’d been too awed by the room, by the size of a bathtub. After I walked around the bedroom gaping at the furnishings, I found my way back to the huge bathroom where I took a long, hot shower and let all the tension of the last week just wash away.
When I walked back into the bedroom, I threw open my suitcase and stared at a whole lot of sweaters and jeans, shorts and tank tops. I had hiking clothes and Lichtenstein-in-the-city clothes, but I hadn’t planned for dinner in a castle.
What was I supposed to wear?
I rummaged through the first suitcase, then the second, smaller bag. “Ah-ha!” Thank God I’d thrown in a black dress at the last minute. It was cotton, and it was more suited for a casual lunch in the sun than a grand ballroom, but it was as close I had to appropriate for this situation.
I dragged on some nice underwear so at least I’d feel good underneath the basic black, then pulled on the dress and stared at myself in the mirror.
Oh, yeah, that’s way too much cleavage.
I grabbed a pink button-up jacket and finished the look with some black, flat sandals.
A bit of makeup and a brush through my hair and I was as ready to go as I would ever be.
I grabbed my cell phone, took a quick pic and shot it to Bree.
Proof of life.
She didn’t respond right away, but with the time difference, I guessed she was still probably at work.
I opened the door and stared up and down the long, carpeted expanse. Which direction was the dining room? At first, I didn’t see a single person. Should I just start walking and hope for the best?
Then a woman in a maid’s outfit hurried down the hall. She was about my age, but her brisk pace and surly expression didn’t exactly make her seem accessible.
“Hello,” I said. But she didn’t even look at me. Instead, she pointed her gaze straight ahead and continued so that I had no choice but to follow her. “Hello?” I called out again. “Can you help me, please?”
She stopped and turned toward me then bobbed a curtsey like I was some sort of royalty. “Of course, ma’am.” And now I had her rapt attention.
“Great,” I said, waiting for her to lift her gaze to meet mine. “I think I’m supposed to be meeting Henryk for dinner. Could you tell me how to get there?” I liked that she didn’t look at me like I was pathetic for asking. This place was huge, and I was a directional dolt. Combined, this was my nightmare.
