Opening my mouth, I snapped it shut again. Time to back away so I wouldn’t say things I might regret later. I had to keep this position. Gather my wits about me––another one of my mother’s favorite phrases. “Good night, then.”
Before he could answer, I whirled around and dashed for the stairs. Grabbing the handrail, I lifted my skirt with my left hand so I wouldn’t tumble down the steps.
“Good night, Cinderella,” Marco called down the stairwell, his voice echoing.
My footsteps faltered on the stone steps. Fingers tight on the leather strap, I kept going. And I made sure both my shoes stayed on my feet.
16
Anightmare clung to me as I pulled myself from sleep the next day. I was lost at sea. Not a good thought. I was in some kind of boat––maybe like the one that brought us here––but it was bucking the waves, threatening to capsize. Clutching Lexi, I was desperate not to lose her.
What was that about? Sheet tucked around my chin, I studied the morning light filtering through a slit between the drapes. Dust motes danced on the air.
Dancing.I sucked in a shivery breath, remembering how I’d felt in Marco’s arms.
But I would not think about that disastrous party where I’d been forced to judge other women under the laughing eyes of Marco Napolitano. Thank goodness last night I’d put a note on the door that the staff didn’t have to make my bed. At first that gesture had seemed thoughtful and charming––like a quality hotel. But now I found it intrusive, as if they were tracking my whereabouts with every move or pawing through my things. And perhaps they were. Marco’s words to Milo about finding Gregorio the night before stayed with me.
My thoughts raced as I pulled on my jeans, a white t-shirt and my boots. When I stuck my head out onto the balcony, the morning felt cool. I welcomed it. The low mist creeping over the landscape gave it a ghostly appearance. After I quietly shut the balcony doors, I slipped into a green hoodie. Yanking my hair up into a ponytail, I didn’t bother with makeup.
Last night had been parade of women wearing all kinds of makeup enhancements I’d never seen before. Rhinestones spiraled above their smoky eyes, often outlined in kohl with other subtle colors. Lipstick shades ranged from a garish turquoise to bright orange. Too much––the whole affair had been too much.
Marco’s friends and family were definitely a different world and I was an unwelcome visitor. The trick Ama had played on me with the dress still rankled. She wanted me to look out of place, tofeelas if I didn’t belong here. I couldn’t decide whether I should get even in some equally petty way or if I should rise above it. My mother’s voice whispered in my ears. “Move on, sweetheart,” she would say. With a sigh, I zipped up my hoodie.
Not wanting to awaken Lexi, I crept out the door and gently closed it. The castle felt so quiet. Class began at nine, so I had plenty of time to grab something in the kitchen and take a quick ride on Tesoro to clear my head.
Because the elevator had a certain low-key clatter that might be magnified in this silence, I scurried down the stairs. When I reached the kitchen, staff were cleaning up after last night. Huge pots stood on counters along with trays and buffet serving pans. Crystal and silver serving pieces were grouped on another with cleaning cloths ready.
Constanza had been hard at work. The scent of fresh baking tempted me. Giving her a quick smile, I grabbed a cornetto, a couple of carrots and headed out. On my way to the stables, I bit into the flaky pastry. The talented cook never disappointed. The treat of warm chocolate melted on my tongue.
Outside, a beautiful morning awaited. The staff was sweeping and raking the ground. Marco did like to keep everything tidy. On two side tables, the ice sculptures had melted, leaving only sodden tablecloths. You would almost never know that last night two hundred people had laughed, sipped champagne and danced. I shook my head, thinking about the elaborate party here where he’d graded women on their queenly attributes. Maybe I should have given him a score sheet. Really, Marco was such a trip.
But he was a prize. The party had awakened me to this fact. Even without his crown, he might be a man worth wanting. Attractive. Funny. A good father.
Well. Seemed that I’d done a one-eighty with King Marco.There will be none of that, Missy.Popping the last bite into my mouth, I strolled over the dew-tipped grass and down the gravel path to the stable.
The quiet sound of horses munching their feed and the sweet smell of hay filled me with contentment. A tiny kitten tumbled onto the path––a fluffy ball of gray and white. “Now, who do you belong to?” Scooping up the furry mass, I peeked into an empty stall nearby. A mother cat was stretched out, nursing a passel of kittens. She barely lifted her head when I settled the kitten back at her side.
My boots echoed on the pavers as I ambled over to Tesoro’s stall. Had she recognized my footsteps? The beauty hung her head out and nickered. I stroked her neck, my own head against hers while I fed her the carrots. “We’re in this together, Tesoro.” Footsteps behind me made me turn.
“Ah, Signora.” Rudolfo glanced at the clock on the wall. “So early today, even after the party?”
“Yes, I like early.” And today I also wanted to be alone. I had to sort out my feelings about Lexi and Gregorio. Had I overreacted?
Entering the tack room, I grabbed the striped blanket I used with Tesoro and took it to her stall. “Maybe someday you’ll be a mother,” I muttered to her while I settled the blanket over her back. “Sure, babies might be wonderful, so soft and cuddly. But as they grow up, they can give you nothing but trouble.”
The mare bobbed her head as if she understood. Or maybe she was just lowering her head to eat more hay. Seconds later, I led her from the stable.
“Alone?” Rudolfo came up behind me, giving me a worried glance.
“Yes, I’m fine alone.”
But he didn’t look convinced. “Tesoro knows the way home,” I reminded him.
That seemed to placate Rudolfo, although he still lingered. I should be grateful. Putting one foot in the stirrup I launched myself over Tesoro’s back, hoping I looked more confident than I felt.
The early morning air bathed my face, damp and clean. I drank it in as we set off at a relaxed pace. I gave Tesoro the lead and she took me into the same woods I’d traveled with Marco not too long ago. I smiled recalling the pace Marco had set. Patting Tesoro’s neck, I murmured encouraging words to her. If only children were like horses and would do your bidding.
Glancing around, I took in every tree, every wildflower and even the squirrels chattering in the trees. If I’d stayed home this summer, what would I have been doing? Maybe I'd call Reena or Maddie and we’d go to the beach to loll about at the shore’s edge, legs stretched out from our beach chairs. But Reena was off on her own adventure this summer. A little while later, I checked my watch. Time to return and I circled back, giving Tesoro her head again.
