Beautiful Seduction

She threw open a set of double doors, leading me into a large bedroom. I was shocked at the luxurious feel, the large canopy bed reminding me of another era. Without hesitation, she moved toward one of the double windows, unlatched and opening both. The light breeze instantly added myriad incredible scents wafting into the room.

“I’m sorry, but we did not have much… er… time to prepare for your arrival. I hope the accommodations are appropriate.” She wrinkled her nose, trying to accentuate every word.

“This is beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. I hope I’m not taking anyone’s room.”

“No. Not at all. This is for very special guests.” Her expression changed, a slight sadness spilling across her face.

“You two were… involved?” I asked, hating myself for the slice of jealousy. What the hell should I care? He didn’t belong to me, and I certainly didn’t give a damn about him.

She smacked her hand across her mouth, shaking her head. “No. No! I am sorry. We never…” Her face turned a bright red, her laughter so fresh and open that I couldn’t help but smile. “He is my… um… How do you say, godfather.”

“Godfather?” I couldn’t have been more shocked. “Really?”

As she nodded, she cocked her head. “He did not tell you?”

“We’re not that close, Bella. The two of us are complicated.”

She looked away as if contemplating what I was saying. “He is a complicated man, but one of the kindest men I’ve ever known. Every time he’s here, he treats me like a princess. So good to my parents. He took care of all of us. Now, come.”

“When did you last see him?”

She wrinkled her nose again as she tried to think. “More than five years. I was just a child. He was so unhappy.”

“Unhappy. Why?”

“He lost someone special. I’ve never seen him so distraught.”

Her words cut through me, allowing me a slight insight of a man I believed could never love anything but money and power. “Who did he lose?”

“I only know her name. He wailed it many times when he thought I was sleeping. Danielle. Even my papa wouldn’t tell me what happened and there was no talking with Valentin then.” She looked away, her expression changing, as if she’d told me something meant to remain a secret. “Let’s find something for you to wear and I will start a bath. Then we feast.”

“You don’t need to do that.” I inhaled, holding my breath, unable to shove thoughts of him out of my mind.

“Don’t be silly.”

I adored the looks she gave me, her unassuming ways. “I assure you I’m rarely silly.”

“You are our guest and you will be treated like a princess. Valentin would have it no other way.” Her laugh was impossible to ignore.

Princess.

She truly had no idea who he was, and I certainly wasn’t going to burst her bubble. I followed her into the bathroom. How could anyone not feel at home in the beautiful place? There was something almost Victorian about the oversized bathroom, including the clawfoot tub. I could imagine spending hours luxuriating in a bubble bath, candles everywhere. And a… lover.

Valentin.

Who was I kidding?

This wasn’t about romance, just a place he felt safe until he determined some plan to take over the world.

“You should have everything you need,” she told me as she grabbed towels from the linen closet. “Let’s see.” After placing them on the edge of the sink, she looked under three of the cabinets, finding what I’d had on my mind.

A bottle of bubbles.

At least I could pretend I wasn’t Valentin’s captive for a little while.

“How long did he live in Italy?” I asked casually, although I was ready to grill her for as much information as she would provide.

“His family moved away many years ago. I was only four, but I remember everything about him.” She started the water, keeping her hand under the spigot. “He was so protective and loving. He never let me get into trouble and I was a handful.”