Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 129951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
But among these were a few bouquets of flowers, all much like the one in the foyer: unusually but gorgeously arranged.
And there was a portrait of a woman, surrounded by sky and clouds, wearing a straw hat brimmed with flowers and a feather (she also had very rosy cheeks) and another of a woman (again with the cheeks) wearing a blue dress festooned with flowers, dancing in a forest being watched by a man and a trio of musicians.
Other than a screened smart unit and some crystal-based laps on the nightstands, different lamps on the tables by the couch, that was it.
It was the biggest bedroom I’d ever been in.
And the prettiest by a mile.
Prudence let go of my arm only to grab my hand and pull me into an adjoining room. It was the bathroom.
Fully modern, shower big enough for two, streamlined soaking tub, double basin sink, with thick pink and rose towels and rugs a similar contrast to what was happening in the bedroom, albeit having a more forceful effect, because everything else was white.
After only what amounted to a glance, Prudence led me onward through the bathroom to a room that made me gasp out loud.
Fitted open rails, drawers, shelves, enough for the biggest clotheshorse in history to feel safe they had plenty of space for now and to expand, not to mention have all their onerous shopping efforts proudly on display.
Further to this beauty, there was a large, round tufted bench dead center upholstered in rose velvet.
And the pièce de résistance, every girlie girl’s dream of a vanity sitting in front of a tall window at the back of the room.
“Grandfather started the modernizations,” Prudence told me. “Father continued them. And Battie updated the modernizations by ridding the place of all the curios and pompous paintings. That’s one of the reasons the attics are a mess. But mostly, five hundred years of cast-off stuff takes a lot of space. I think that’s why we haven’t been able to locate Great-Aunt Harmony’s letters.”
That pulled me out of my closet-happy trance.
“You haven’t been able to locate her letters?” I asked.
Prudence had let my hand go and was wandering to the window as she shook her head and answered, “No. We’re still looking.” Gazing out the window, she gave a dramatic shudder. “Something must be done with the attics. I suppose on the errand of finding those for you, I’ll have to take them in hand.”
I wanted to say I could help, but I was already overstaying my visitor’s visa by two weeks, so in order to get this book done, I needed to get to work.
Because, I would repeat, I had a deadline.
Also, I wasn’t keen to experience being kicked out of a country.
Even so, I wanted to get into those attics just to see what the “five hundred years of cast-offs” of a dukedom looked like.
Prudence whirled so abruptly, I jumped.
And then she clapped.
“I hear your luggage coming,” she announced.
She did?
I didn’t hear a thing.
“I’ll let you freshen up.” She tipped her head. “Half an hour? Then I’ll collect you and take you to the blue salon. That’s where we’re having tea.”
I could use a second to get my bearings, so I replied, “Sounds good.”
She came to me just as a door behind me opened.
A young man was coming in with all my luggage, and there was a lot of it (six months’ worth).
“Oh, sorry,” he murmured. “I didn’t know you were in here.”
“That’s okay, Scotty,” Prudence replied as she took my hand again and tugged me toward the bathroom. “This is Vivienne,” she threw over her shoulder.
“Hello, Miss Dupree. Welcome to The Downs,” Scotty greeted.
“Thank you,” I said, unavoidably loudly, as we’d made it through the bathroom and into the bedroom.
Once Prudence got me there, she took my other hand so she had both, and she smiled up at me.
“This is just so lovely, having you here,” she asserted.
I squeezed her hands and replied, “I was honored by the invitation, but mostly, it’s about time we met, so I will firmly agree, it’s lovely to be here.” I shook her hands. “With you.”
Another beam before, “Now, take a bit of time to yourself. I’ll return. Cook makes luscious teas. I hope you’re hungry.”
And I hoped there were scones, jam and clotted cream.
Prudence left.
I heard someone else go into the dressing room, and on peeking through the bathroom, I saw Scotty leave and a woman head deeper into the room. Probably to unpack my stuff.
Instead of introducing myself, I dumped my tote on the couch, shrugged off my coat and tossed it over my tote, moved to the window and looked out.
Oh yes.
Holy hell.
The garden was amazing.
Lush and well kept, but in a wild way. Profuse. And it spanned the entirety of the space between the wings and beyond. There were a few fountains, some paths, some benches and…