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Louisa was part of the royal family’s staff, but she looked like she could’ve been a member of the royal family. Her voice and demeanor screamed class, but she projected capability and approachability without familiarity, something Dani immediately appreciated.
“It’s good to put a face to a name. And please, call me Dani.”
Louisa smiled. “Dani it is.”
Dani shaded her eyes from the sun glinting off the water and took in the setting. “This is beautiful.”
“It’s one of my favorites. In addition to the main house on the estate, there are several cottages, stables, a barn, and even a small airstrip, although it’s seldom used these days. You requested privacy”—she pronounced it pre-vuh-see—“and this has it in spades.”
Dani was astonished. “How large is the property?”
“The main house is eleven thousand square feet, the cottages are around three thousand, give or take. And it all sits on just over seven hundred acres.”
The cottages were three thousand square feet? Including the one she’d be staying in? She had family who lived in homes about a third of that size.
“I’m looking forward to my stay.”
“I’m glad. Although”—Louisa clasped her hands in front of her—“there’ve been some changes.”
A sense of foreboding stirred the tiny hairs on the back of Dani’s neck. She narrowed her eyes. “What kind of changes?”
“When the staff went to prepare the cottage for your visit, they discovered a massive leak. Unfortunately, it left the dwelling uninhabitable.”
No!Dani smoothed her hands over her hair. “What about the other cottages?”
“They’re already occupied.”
So much for her rustic vacation fantasy. She only wished Louisa had told herbeforethe long drive.
Stifling a sigh that would convey every bit of her exhaustion and irritation, Dani pulled her phone from her Dior Book Tote. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll have my assistant book me a suite.”
A crack emerged in Louisa’s composure. “No! You can’t!”
Another person trying to tell her what to do? After that long-ass flight and needless drive?
“Excuse me?”
“Sorry.” Louisa briefly squeezed her eyes shut. “It’s important to the queen that nothing detracts from this celebration and if the tabloid press discovers you’re here, we’ll lose control of a carefully orchestrated narrative. We need you to keep a low profile.”
“That was my plan,” Dani said. What did they think she would do? Parade buck-ass naked down Oxford Street? “I just want peace and quiet. I have no intention of doing anything other than chilling and relaxing for the next couple of weeks.”
“Good. Because what you’ve experienced in America is nothing compared to the media scrutiny here. Moreover, if they unearth your presence, you would never know a moment of the serenity you’re eager to find. The tabloids have already interrogated vendors and locals for ‘insider’ information. The only way we can ensure the discretion of the event, and your solitude,” she hurried to add, “is to keep you out of London proper.”
“What am I supposed to do? You said I can’t stay at the cottage.”
“That’s correct. But... you can stay here.” Louisa waved her hand toward the massive structure behind her.
Here? In this castle?
Dani eyed it again. So less likeThe Holidayand more likeDownton Abbey?
“Did you get the list my assistant sent?”
Louisa nodded. “We did. And hoping you’d agree to the changes, everything you requested is here. If you need anything else, there’s a charming market town about four miles southeast. Amos will be at your service. Unless you’d prefer to drive yourself?”
“Uh, no. I’ve never spent enough time in the UK to get used to driving on the left side of the road and I don’t think getting into an accident weeks before the event would be a good idea.”
Louisa grinned. “You’re right. It wouldn’t.”
