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He shakes his head, backing from the room.
Luca says, “Don’t take it personally. Maurice doesn’t let anyone get close to him.”
I nod, but I’m not giving up on him. Not at all.
“What happens now?”
Luca says, “Henri can show you your new room and then we can all have dinner together.”
“My room. I don’t have to stay in the cage.”
“Not unless you want to.” He holds up his hands. “I’m joking. No, you don’t have to stay in there.”
“Where is the room?”
“In the east wing.”
I shake my head. “I want to stay in the west wing, near your room.”
He seems pleased by this. “Then I will make the arrangements.”
Henri says, “I can show you the rest of the house while Luca makes that happen.”
I don’t miss the lingering gaze Luca gives me as I follow Henri from the room. I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around everything, but Henri is right by my side, letting me know this is really happening. He shows me the entire house and even takes me outside after bundling me in a coat that’s too big for me.
“I think I’m going to need a map to get around.”
“We can make that happen.”
“Henri, what happened after I left this morning?”
He motions for me to sit on a bench after brushing off the snow for me.
“Luca wanted to talk. He basically said the same thing to me that he said to you. He also invited me to stay here with you. Said that I deserve a chance as much as does.” He laughs softly. “I’m not sure what kind of spell you put on him, but I’ve never seen him like this before.”
“I don’t think it’s a spell. I think he’s finally seeing that he might not be the person he thought he was. There’s goodness inside of him. In all of you, really.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I take it back. It’s not a spell that you’ve put on him. It’s a fucking miracle.”
That has me laughing. “Be nice.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” He stands, holding out his hand. “Let’s see if your new room is ready.”
“I still can’t believe he’s letting me have my own room.”
“Me, either. It’s a whole new Luca.”
Hand-in-hand, we make our way inside. Luca is nowhere to be found, and neither is Maurice. On the second floor, we go to the west wing. There’s a single door open, and it’s in the room next to Luca’s. Entering, I smile. It’s perfect, as if Luca already knows my style. Of course, he has been watching me, so he likelydoesknow. The bedding is airy, reminding me of springtime. The furniture is a deep cherry wood. There’s comfortable looking chair sitting on a fuzzy rug that’s near the fireplace. The closet is filled with items I would pick to wear on my own, as well as more formal items.
Henri whistles. “Looks like my cousin is planning on you being here for a while.”
And I’m okay with that.
I turn to Henri. “Do you think I’m crazy?”
“Crazy? Why would I think that?”
“Because I want to stay here and get to know him.”
