When she got out, she pulled on a pair of boxer shorts and a tank top, then went searching through her cosmetic bag for some decent lotion to apply to her burned skin. The gentlest thing she found was a small pot of eye cream, which was guaranteed to soothe. She wasn’t about to use it all on her shoulders and arms, though. Maybe one of the maids would have something. Ernestina was right next door, with the children.
Rose checked the clock on her phone. It was teatime, so perhaps she could sneak in and out again without causing a ruckus. She left her room, quietly entered the nursery, and paused for a moment, listening to the happy chatter and the sound of cutlery on plates and Ernestina’s cheerful voice. The maid really was much happier now that she was back to her usual job. She’d practically volunteered to watch Emilia and Max for the day. There was a difference between a job for a few hours and a job day in and day out, it seemed.
She stepped through to the sitting room and caught Ernestina’s eye. The maid’s gaze widened as she took in Rose’s burned skin. “Oh, Miss Rose! You didn’t take your sunscreen today. Dios mio! You are red.”
So much for being unobtrusive.
“Miss Rose!” Max came hurtling toward her, nearly knocking over his drink the process. “We got to make mantecados with Senora Ortiz today! And we are having them with our tea!”
Emilia held out a plate. “Would you like one, Miss Rose?”
“Of course I would.” She realized she’d forgotten all about lunch today and that her wares were still in her bag, overheated and no longer fresh. She bit into the little cake and held out her other hand to catch the crumbs. “It’s delicious.” Indeed. She was pretty sure the main ingredient was butter.
“Did someone say mantecados?”
Her heart stuttered.
Diego stood in the doorway, beaming, but his smile slipped when he saw her. She realized she was utterly underdressed and her burn was on full display.
“Dios mio.” He echoed Ernestina’s previous sentiment. “I knew you had burned a little, but not this.”
“I actually came to see if Ernestina had something I could use for it. I seem to be strangely low on aloe.” She lifted an eyebrow. He had made that silly statement on the beach about having an aloe plant to assist in her “tender bits.”
Ernestina clucked. “I don’t, but Maria is sure to.” She named one of the other maids. “She has more creams and potions than a girl her age needs.” Ernestina blushed then. “Begging your pardon, Your Highness. I forgot myself . . .”
Diego just laughed. “I don’t care about stuff like that.” He shrugged. “I could have my assistant find you something, Rose. Or Stephani. You know, Raoul’s assistant. She’s the most resourceful person I know. Prepared for any emergency.”
“Anything would be a help.” She spared a glance at Diego, relieved that the earlier hostility appeared to have waned. “I thought Raoul was coming for tea?”
“He got held up on the phone. He sent me with a message to tell the children that he will tuck them in and read stories tonight instead.”
Rose gave him a small nod. “Thank you, Diego.”
Understanding softened his eyes. “You’re welcome.” Raoul had been more present in the children’s lives ever since Diego had intervened.
“I’m going back to my room to lie down. I really did get too much sun today,” Rose said, sending a wave to the children. “The cakes are delicious, Diego. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them. Emilia
? Max? I’ll see you in the morning.”
With a small smile she scooted back out of the nursery and returned to her room.
Whether it was the lack of food, too much sun, or just exhaustion, a headache took up residence behind Rose’s eyes. She drank some water, but her stomach didn’t feel quite right either. The air-conditioned room was a blessing, though, and she decided to crawl beneath her crisp, cool sheets to have a nap.
When she woke much later, the light in the room had dimmed and her headache was more of a dull ache than a full-on throb. She squinted and looked up to see Stephani, Raoul’s assistant, depositing a small tray on a table.
“Oh, goodness.”
Stephani straightened abruptly. “Oh. I’m sorry if I woke you. Diego mentioned you had a touch of heat stroke and a nasty sunburn. I thought I’d leave you a few things.”
Rose sat up. “That’s sweet of you. Thank you, Stephani.”
“It’s no trouble.” She smiled, and Rose thought perhaps it looked a little sad. “You know, I’ve worked for the family for a number of years. Close to a decade, I think. Raoul used to get me to do little errands for Cecilia all the time. I miss her. She was my cousin, you know, and we used to . . .” She frowned. “Oh, this is silly. I shouldn’t be talking about it.”
“No, please,” Rose said, patting the edge of the bed. “Come, sit. I’ve been here a month and while I am very happy and love the staff, I miss talking about . . . things. Only if you’re comfortable, of course. It’s not your job to look after my loneliness.”
Stephani gave her an assessing look. “Begging your pardon, but Diego seems to help in that regard.”
The honest statement took Rose aback. “I . . . I mean, it’s . . .”