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He gave a nod. ‘It is. But the gardens are actually my favourite part. There’s a fountain, a maze and extensive oriental gardens.’
The car slowly stopped and the chauffeur got out to open the door. Arissa walked up the impressive front steps, her heart tripping a little in her chest. Yip. She was right back in that childhood fantasy. She’d never imagined that she’d actually meet a prince for real—it still hadn’t sunk in.
The inside of the castle was just as impressive as the outside. Arissa was led up one side of a curved dual staircase and along an impressive corridor to a suite.
Even though the style was Georgian, parts of the castle were decidedly updated. Arissa’s room was decorated in shades of green and gold. The bed was at least six feet across, with sumptuous bedding. The carpet was so thick her feet sank into it and she wiggled her toes in pleasure. The bathroom was bigger than her bedroom back home, as was her dressing room. She gave a little laugh as the palace aide placed her single suitcase in the middle of the dressing room. It looked so lonely there—her clothing wouldn’t take up even a tenth of the space in this room.
She smiled as she wandered through the suite, shaking her head at the expanse of it. Someone had run a bath for her already, with lavender scents drifting towards her and purple petals floating on the bathwater. The main windows in the suite looked out over the stunning gardens and even from here she could see the light dusting of snow across them.
She took a breath and sat down on the window ledge. She was here. In Corinez. What on earth was she thinking about?
There were some chocolates on the table in front of her, along with a bottle of wine chilling in a cooler and two glasses. Who had done this? Was it Philippe? Did he mean to come along and join her, or was this standard for any guest?
She just wasn’t sure. She moved from the window ledge and sat down in one of the surprisingly comfortable chairs that looked out over the gardens. It was more beautiful than she could ever have imagined. Every little girl’s fantasy.
But, for all its beauty and grandeur, somewhere out there—just like at home in Temur Sapora—could be a young girl or woman, contemplating giving up her baby.
A baby like her.
With the light dusting of snow at the very back of the gardens she could understand that where a baby was left could be the difference between life and death.
She had a reason to be here. She had a function. Philippe knew she was committed to the programme—even though he didn’t really know her reasons. Those were hers to keep.
She glanced over at the sumptuous bed and breathed in the lavender scent coming from the bathroom, and while for tonight she might enjoy the lifestyle, she wouldn’t forget the people she was here to help.
How could she? Arissa was a doctor. And she was an abandoned baby. And no matter the love she’d experienced in her life—that was what she would always be.
CHAPTER NINE
PHILIPPE KNOCKED ON the door hesitantly, wondering if Arissa had managed to shake off the jet lag.
She opened the door, bright and breezy, wearing jeans and a red shirt. ‘Ready to start work?’ she asked.
He laughed. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d be ready.’
She held out her hands. ‘I’m ready to see breakfast Corinez-style, and I definitely want to see where you intend to place the safe haven cots.’
He gave a firm nod as his stomach gave a little flip. Even not seeing her last night had been hard. She hadn’t answered when he’d knocked on the door, and when he’d dared to peek inside she’d been sleeping soundly beneath the canopy of the large bed.
It had been so tempting to take a step inside—but Philippe would never do a thing like that. He was just happy that his guest was comfortable.
The morning sun gleamed behind her from the large windows, almost creating a halo above her dark curls. He could see every curve in her jeans and fitted shirt. She really had no idea just how gorgeous she was. He loved the fact she was ready to start. He loved her enthusiasm. But more than anything he loved the fact she’d agreed to come to his country with him. Part of him couldn’t help but hope she might love it even a little as much as he did. He held out his elbow towards her, inviting her to slip her arm in his. ‘Your wish is my command.’
