‘I thought you’d like the view in here.’ He pushed open a large timber door, gesturing for her to precede him into a room that was enormous, very old, and very beautiful. And yet, despite its perfection, Lucinda couldn’t help feeling a wave of disappointment. The room she’d used last time had been so close tohisroom. She didn’t have her bearings, but she couldn’t help wondering if he was stashing her as far away as possible.
‘It’s very nice, thank you.’
She could feel his gaze on her face, watchful, intent, far too perceptive, so she turned her back on him, moving towards the window and inspecting the view. He was right—it was a stunning outlook. If she craned her neck, she could see all the way to the town at the base of the mountain pass, the little tiled roofs just specks from this distance, and in the foreground there was the magnificent forest that surrounded this castle. Though it hadn’t always been this way. There were photographs on the Internet of the castle standing tall and proud, the forest trimmed back to allow the castle to draw the eye of any who cared to look. Now, it was grown over, the once grand gardens in disrepair.
And suddenly, now that she’d jumped the first hurdle and gained Thirio’s permission for this plan, she began to wonder if she’d bitten off way more than she could chew. What if the castle was too run-down to be made ready for the wedding? What if the garden was too hazardous? She’d need to investigate Thirio’s liability insurance before going too much further. Oh, her head was swimming with logistics, but in the midst of it all, there was a dangerous awareness of her host. Perhaps it was a good thing that he’d stowed her here, as far away from his room as the castle permitted?
Maybe it meant she’d actually get some work done?
‘There is a bathroom, though it takes a while for hot water to get into the taps.’
‘It’s lovely,’ she said quietly.
‘Would you like a moment to freshen up before I show you the rest of the castle?’
Thump. Thump. Thump. Her heart was beating so hard she was sure the sound of it was reverberating around the old stone walls. He wasn’t going to ditch her here. He was offering a personal tour.
‘I’m okay to look around now.’ She smiled up at him, her heart rushing.
His expression shifted, a mask slipping into place that kept her locked on the outside. ‘Good. I need to make sure you understand which parts of the castle are off-limits. Follow me.’
Of course, it was about protecting his privacy rather than spending time with her. She shouldn’t have let her hopes get raised.
Focusing on the business, she asked, ‘Have you spoken to your sister about the plan?’
‘Yes.’
‘What did she say?’
Thirio slid her a knowing glance. ‘She loved it.’
Lucinda expelled a sigh of relief. ‘I’m so glad. I really hoped she would.’
‘She said she could not have planned a more perfect wedding herself. She said you had thought of every detail.’
Lucinda’s heart soared. It was exactly what she’d tried to do. ‘And holding the wedding here? She’s okay with that?’
‘Why wouldn’t she be?’
Lucinda considered that. ‘I thought she might have doubts, because you’re—’
‘Ah.’ He nodded slowly. ‘Yes. She did. I have made no secret of the fact I like my privacy. Naturally she was concerned that opening the doors to the castle would be an inconvenience too great to bear.’
‘And is it?’
‘If it were, I wouldn’t have agreed to it.’
‘Even for your sister?’
His eyes bored into hers for several seconds, but he didn’t answer her question. ‘There are twenty-seven rooms in this western wing. I suggest we hold them for the royal family and their entourage. There are private dining rooms, sitting rooms, and areas where they can come to be away from the prying eyes of guests whenever they wish.’
‘That’s very thoughtful of you.’
‘It was Evie’s suggestion,’ he added, something like a smile tightening his lips.
Lucinda considered him carefully as they emerged into the corridor. This time, she took in more of the details, from the ornate tiles to the delicate wallpaper, the paintings that were portraits of people who’d lived centuries ago, and brass lights that hung from the ceiling. There were not many windows, but those they passed framed a magnificent view, causing Lucinda to wonder why the renovation hadn’t included making the windows bigger?
‘The reason these rooms work is this private access,’ he said, gesturing to the door through which Lucinda had arrived. ‘It can be secured for their visit with their own people.’