Devotion

“Why is he doing all this? I don’t understand what’s happening. These clothes had to cost more than my tuition for this private dance school.”

Elina doesn’t answer me. Instead she pulls out a ribbon and ties it into my hair. “You have the softest hair.” She gifts me with a compliment and changes the subject. “Now I can feed you and show you around.” She steps back, looking me over. “Perfect. You finish getting ready and I’ll meet you in the kitchen. You have anything in mind to eat? It’s already afternoon, but if you still want breakfast we can do that.”

“I’m okay with whatever is easiest.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Come on now. How about French toast and bacon?” My stomach growls at her words. “Guess that’s a yes.” She leans down, kissing me on the cheek, before turning to leave. I stand there still feeling like I’m in some haze, not entirely convinced that all this is real.

“Go with it,” I mumble to myself, wanting to soak all this up.

After making quick work in the bathroom, I practically run to the kitchen. Half because I want the food and half because I’m desperate to see Noah again. I wonder where he is.

Disappointment hits me when I see he’s not downstairs. Elina looks up from the pan she’s frying bacon in and smiles. “Sit,” she tells me, motioning to a seat that already has a plate with food on it. I do as I’m told and take a seat then start eating.

“So where is Noah?” I try to say it as casually as possible. I look up through my lashes to see her smiling at me again.

“I would guess he’s working. He’s always working.” She pauses and takes the bacon off the stove. “I’m hoping that will change soon.” She brings the plate over to me and then picks up her coffee and takes a sip.

“Why would that change?” I ask, wanting to learn as much about him as I can.

Instead of answering me she nods to my plate and motions for me to eat.

“When you’re finished eating I’ll show you around.”

With those words, I concentrate on eating what’s on my plate so that I can have a look at this castle. And maybe partly because I want to see if we’ll run into Noah.

Chapter Six

Noah

I had a walkway built from the main house to the studio for Aurora. There are glass doors that run along both sides that can be opened to let the breeze from the sea come through.

That’s how I heard the music.

I was in my office on a conference call when I heard something coming from the studio. The fact that I had it built within sight of my office is no accident. Just like Aurora coming to be here with me.

The people on the call kept talking about numbers and profit shares as I walked to the balcony and looked out. I could see the glass doors were ajar and there was movement in the studio.

“So she’s found it,” I say to myself before I hear more people on the phone talking.

Walking over to the phone I end the call without saying a word. I’ll deal with them later. Just as I take a step away from my desk, Elina appears.

“She’s had a late start to the day, but she seems very happy. We toured the house and the gardens before I showed her the dance studio.”

She smiles at me and clasps her hands in front of her pristine apron.

“And?” I ask as she waits for me to tell her to go on.

“She enjoyed the media room very much. I don’t believe she was allowed television at home. And also the grotto. She was excited to have a place indoors to swim while the weather is cool.”

“What did she think of the studio?” I’m hesitant in my question, fearful that it wasn’t up to her standards.

“She said that I saved the best for last.”

I feel pride grow in my chest that I was able to give Aurora something she loved. She may be here under her false pretenses, but as long as she is happy, then the ends justify the means.

“I’m going to retire. The kitchen staff has dinner under control. If you need me I’ll be in the east wing,” Elina says as she bows and leaves my office.

I thank her as she leaves and then make my way out to where Aurora is.

I follow the sound of heavy bass and a woman’s voice singing about being trouble. I recognize the Amy Winehouse song, and smile. I put a random selection of music on the sound system, not knowing what she liked to dance to in her free time. But after a lot of research I found out that she didn’t have free time. And even more rarely did she dance to anything other than classical or the prescribed music of the director in her show.