Thoroughly Whipped

I reached into my carry-on and luckily found the code for the Wi-Fi on the welcome pack HCS Media had put together. At least a house of this age had modern conveniences as well as all the history. I even spotted a big walk-in shower in the bathroom. But my heart was fixed on the bathtub. After the long flight, I needed a soak.

I walked to the window and gasped at what greeted me. A stone terrace. This one looked private. It wasn’t as big as I’d expected, which led me to believe it wasn’t the one we would be having champagne and strawberries on tonight.

Champagne and strawberries. Jesus Christ.

I pressed the video call app on my cell, and it opened to the waiting faces of Amelia and Sage. “Faith!” they shouted, the sound of their familiar voices making me instantly feel calmer. Because I wasn’t. I was in Harry’s home. I would soon see him, and I had no idea how it would go. I didn’t know if he hated me for everything that had happened. I hadn’t heard from him since the text where he’d asked me to come. To say I was nervous about seeing him was an understatement.

“Hey guys!” I said and flipped the camera to give them a quick tour of the bedroom and bathroom.

“You have to be shitting me!” Sage said.

“It’s like a palace,” Amelia said wistfully.

“Wait for this,” I said and showed them the view from the window.

“Faith,” Amelia said, and I swore she was getting teary. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Is that a lake in the distance?”

“Yes,” I said, admiring the bridge that had been built over it. It looked like something from a fairy tale, with pink, purple and blue flowers decorating the old gray stone.

I turned the camera again and sat at the desk. I glanced at the itinerary. “There’s welcome drinks tonight. Then the choice of archery or horse riding tomorrow. A tour of the grounds and some free time the day after. Then the masquerade midsummer ball.” I dropped the itinerary, which had been printed on the fanciest stationary I’d ever seen.

“Have you seen him yet?” Sage asked carefully.

“No.” I sighed and tipped my head back. “Maybe I won’t until the ball. I don’t know if he wants to talk, or if he just didn’t want me to miss the recognition I’d received from Visage.”

“Faith, you can’t honestly think that,” Amelia said. “Of course he wants to see you.”

“Only time will tell.” I rifled through my suitcase, which looked like a miniature model amongst all the opulent room dressings. “I need a nap to try and kick this jet lag, a long soak in the bath. Then the fun will begin.”

“We’re stupidly jealous, you know that, right?” Sage said affectionately.

“I know.”

“Say hello to Nicholas for me. He’s going to be at the ball.”

“I will.” I kissed my fingers and waved at my friends. As I hung up, I climbed into the plush bed, staring up at the golden ceiling. I felt like I was lying on a cloud. As my eyes closed, I imagined what Harry would look like when I saw him again. My heart swelled just picturing that dark hair, his blue eyes, and the smile he held just for me.

He lived in a palace.

Harry, the one-day duke.

And I was in it.

In England.

If this was a dream, I never wanted to wake up.

The white linen dress hung off my shoulders, the sleeves hugging my upper arms. The hem fell to my knees, flowing out enough to be casual, but hugging my figure enough to show off my curves and absolutely dressy enough for champagne.

As I passed a wall-size mirror (the walls in the Sinclair Estate, it should be noted, were rather large), I made sure my long hair was styled nicely in loose waves and my earrings were correctly in place. I had kept my makeup light but with deep pink lipstick. As I stared at my reflection, I blew out a nervous raspberry.

“Miss,” a voice said, making me jump.

“Timothy!” I said, hand over my heart. “I didn’t see you there.”

“Too busy sticking your tongue out at your reflection?” he teased. I immediately liked him even more than I had that morning.

“I was.” I pointed at myself in the mirror. “She’s one sassy bitch.”

“Call me warned.” He gestured toward a wall of glass doors. “The terrace is just through those doors. Most of the guests are already here.”

“Thank you, Timothy.” Being careful not to lose my footing on the uneven stone floor beneath me, I walked through the doors and gasped. I actually gasped, loudly and dramatically. The view…I blinked a few times, trying to be sure I wasn’t imagining what lay before me. The stone terrace was vast and ornate. Stone balustrades created a balcony of the terrace. Sweeping curved staircases on both sides of the terrace led down to perfectly manicured gardens. Colorful and vibrant plants in large Romanesque pots sat on stone columns on the gravel paths. Green topiary domes and small hedge mazes swirled around the garden like miniature mazes. Another stone balustrade was at the end of the garden, offering the perfect place to view the stunning property beyond.