Sara was led away by the chatty housekeeper, who had no trouble maintaining a one-sided conversation; Sara smiled and nodded where appropriate. The woman led her into the house, made bright by windows and wall sconces already lit in anticipation of the evening. The dark wood trim and pale yellow walls were pleasing and Sara made a mental note to examine the paintings in more detail on the morrow. The wide stairs, also of dark wood, hugged the walls up to the higher levels. Sara ran her hand along the bannister, appreciating the smooth gleam.
Moments later Mrs. Taggert stopped at the end of the hall and opened the door, gesturing for Sara to precede her. “This is the master suite, Mrs. Grant. I hope you find it suitable.”
Sara stepped into a room much larger than she had expected. Taking up the space of two normal-sized rooms, there was a sitting area situated around the large hearth, a generous fire taking off the chill of the evening. Two large leather armchairs sat in front of the fire, angled toward the heat and each other; a low table separated the two. The lower portion of the wall with the door sported bookshelves, already stocked, and on top of them were sentimental memorabilia. At one end was a nicely laid out set of decanters with crystal tumblers winking in the firelight.
The other side of the room was dominated by the four-poster bed. Sara was certain that if she combined all the beds she had slept in during her lifetime into one, it would be roughly the size of this one. Stretching far beyond her length and likely three times her width, the deep gold bedspread and matching plush pillows and bed curtains beckoned, a bedroom siren promising deep sleep and pleasant dreams.
The bed faced two sets of windows, stretching nearly from floor to ceiling, and made up the corner facing south and east. Two sofas faced either side of the window corner with a polished round table in front of them, creating a sitting area with a view of the park. Sara imagined herself sitting there in the early hours, reading as she had some morning tea.
Two doors flanked either side of the bed and Mrs. Taggert led her to one of them, opening the door. “This is the mistress’ dressing room,” she said, taking Sara into a room grander than any she had occupied while a governess. A large wardrobe stood at angle in one corner with a full-length rounded mirror close by. A delicate white vanity with gold trim and a cushioned chair sat opposite, next to another door. The top third of the wall was glass, allowing in light from the main room. Dazzled, Sara felt a moment of eagerness to sit at the vanity on a bright morning to see how these windows flooded the room.
Mrs. Taggert opened the second door in the room, which led into a bathing area. The glass wall continued in there, casting light onto the bright tiled mosaic that lined the washing area. Two basins sat beside each other on a high table, a long mirror on the wall encompassing them both. A giant porcelain bathing tub—the largest Sara had ever seen—with brass claws held a place of prominence beside a small fireplace. A privacy chamber was in the corner, discreetly closed.
Fully in awe of her surroundings, Sara forgot all about the ants in her throat. “It is all so breathtaking,” she murmured.
A deep chuckle caught her attention and she turned to another door opposite of the one she had used. Nathan was standing there, leaning against the jamb as he watched her. “I am glad you approve,” he said.
It finally occurred to Sara why there were two doors to the room and two basins and shelves with copious amounts of towels. Of course the master’s dressing room would be opposite the mistress’, but never had she expected to share the bathing room. How embarrassing would it be if he were to walk in while she was in the tub—a tub, she belatedly realized, that was large enough to hold two.
Her face was on fire, she was certain.
Mrs. Taggert murmured quietly, “Dinner will be but a few minutes.” She left the room.
Nathan remained at the door, his smile remaining as he watched her shift uncomfortably. He had seen the instant comprehension overtake her and it had amused him even more. He was glad of her reaction to Cloverfields, for he wanted this to be an enjoyable experience for her—as much as she declared she was willing, he knew she would need to be comfortable and coaxed into her adventure.