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The man bowed, and Kaspar introduced her to the housekeeper, Elna. After that, Jesska couldn’t keep all the names straight, but figured she’d learn them all eventually.
Ari introduced his family to a few of the servants he remembered and then the group moved into the large foyer of the mansion. The stone from the porch carried into the foyer, however it was intermixed with river rock. Staircases up each side of the wall met in the middle and created a landing overlooking the open space. To the left were tall double doors, and a matching pair to the right. She could see a music room behind the doors on the right—at least she assumed it was, as there was a grand piano inside. The room on the left had a few antique-looking sofas and chairs that she could see from her vantage point. She couldn’t wait to explore the house.
Do you play?
I do. He smiled down at her. However, Ari is far better than I am.
Will he play for us later?
Kaspar wrapped an arm around her waist. I’m sure he will if you desire it.
“Please put my brother and his family in the West rooms,” he said to Elna.
She curtsied and nodded, and Jesska watched as four housemaids scurried up the stairs.
Kaspar faced his brother. “We’ll join you for dinner. Please make yourselves at home.”
Shouldn’t we spend time with them?
Kaspar gave her a gentle squeeze. I have other plans, presently.
Jesska grinned up at him before hugging her sister and her niece and following Kaspar up the east staircase and to the opposite side of the house from the rest of her family.
Kaspar showed her a few key rooms as they made their way to their suite of rooms. Jesska shook her head. “Babe, how big is this house?”
“Thirty-five thousand square feet, give or take.”
“I’m going to need a map.”
He pointed to antique knobs strategically placed along hallways and in rooms. “If you get turned around, press these, and someone will assist you.”
“I’m sure that’ll look really great. Your new wife calling for help because she’s lost.”
He stopped walking and cupped her cheeks. “They are here to help, elskan. You don’t have to feel weird about asking.”
“Are you sure?”
Kaspar grinned and kissed her nose. “I’m sure, baby. Not that it matters, but they will love you.”
“Why doesn’t it matter?”
“Because you are their queen. I don’t care if they like you, love you, are indifferent to you, but they will serve you and do it with a smile on their faces, or they will answer to me.”
Jesska shivered. “Okay, baby, no need to go all alpha on me. I doubt there will be any issues.”
He smiled and kissed her quickly. “Now, back to business. We have some christening to do.”
She giggled and followed him through a set of double doors—mahogany if she had to guess—and into a large sitting room with a flat-screen television above an ornate fireplace. Two overstuffed chairs and ottomans flanked a large window that looked out to manicured gardens, and she could see in the distance water of some kind. A sofa faced the television and fireplace, while a love seat sat against the wall, with a coffee table in front of it. The room was bigger than her living room at home, but just as cozy.
Through another set of mahogany doors was their bedroom. Possibly bigger than her entire duplex, it held a king-sized bed with a padded ice-blue, upholstered headboard that sat proudly between two windows. The down comforter, white and crisp against the blue, the sheets the same ice-blue as the headboard, and more pillows than she had on her own bed at home. “Kaz, this is amazing.”
“You like it?”
She glanced up at him. “I love it.” He relaxed, and she realized she hadn’t noticed he’d been tense. “Were you worried?”
He smiled. “Not worried, per se. Just wondering if we were going to have to change everything again.”
“You did this for me?”
