by Cate Remy
Five minutes later, the flight attendant stopped by. “Welcome to Severn Air, Your Highness. Would you and your companion like a drink while we get ready for takeoff?”
Donovan appeared to consider, glanced at Shae, and then shook his head. “I’ll have a cup of chamomile tea.”
Shae asked for a bottled water. Once the flight attendant went to get their drinks, she leaned over and spoke softly. “I don’t mind if you have a drink.”
“No, I’d like to start the leg of this flight on the right foot. I’ve been thinking about what you said to me when we first met and at that hotel lounge party three months ago.”
She remembered comparing him and his friends to frat boys in the hotel lounge. “I was angry that night.”
“You had a right to be, and you had a point. I don’t need alcohol to get through stressful times. I’m ready to work through my anxiety about flying.”
Shae felt proud of his decision. “I’m happy for you. I’ll try not to be so harsh in the future.”
“I know you’re not saying it to be cruel.” Donovan accepted the cup of hot tea from the flight attendant when she returned with their beverages. “You’re one of the few people in my life who won’t lie to flatter me. That’s one of the reasons why I like you.”
She got a fuzzy feeling when he said he liked her. He had to have only meant it in a strictly platonic sense. Why were her emotions betraying her by making her feel like she was a giddy little girl in junior high? Shae twisted the cap off the bottled water and took two cooling swigs. She had to reign her renegade feelings in, or it was going to be a very long flight.
Chapter Fourteen
Shae read a magazine and listened to music on her headphones to keep her mind occupied during the flight. She glanced up from the glossy pages of the fashion magazine to look at Donovan. The chamomile tea put him to sleep. He dozed off in his seat beside her, his shoulder touching part of her seat. She heard his deep, even breathing. He looked peaceful when he was resting. His hair fell over one side of his brow. In the dim light of the cabin, it appeared to be dark auburn. She had the strangest, strong urge to brush it back from his brow. She kept her hands to herself, folding them in her lap atop the magazine.
“Do you usually watch people while they sleep?”
She gasped. When she looked at him again, his eyes were open. “You saw me?”
“I looked at you through my eyelashes. It’s an old trick I learned as a kid.”
She recovered from her embarrassment at getting caught. “Then you were the one watching me.”
“Only for a moment.” He sat up and stretched his long legs out as far as the seating would allow. A soft chime went off in the cabin.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be making our landing in Severn in approximately twenty minutes. Please lift up trays, reclining seats, and fasten your seatbelts,” announced the pilot.
Shae came out of her in-flight lull. They were going to land soon, and she’d step foot in another country. She was excited and anxious at the same time. What would it be like? How would the people treat her? What was she supposed to do or say when she met Donovan’s parents? Her mouth went dry. She reached for the bottle of water on the foldout tray and knocked it on the floor by accident.
Donovan reached down to grab it for her. “You seem nervous all of a sudden.”
“It just occurred to me that I’ve done absolutely nothing to prepare for this trip. I don’t know the first thing to say or do when the plane lands.”
“Reaching up to get your carry-on is a start.”
“Not funny.” She watched him smirk. “Well, maybe it is a little. Seriously, Donovan, I have no idea what the customs are in your country.”
“People in Severn are much like Americans. They’re open and generally friendly.”
“What about your parents? I want to make a good impression.”
“My mother’s a gem. My father…” He paused. Shae wasn’t sure she liked that pause. “He’s a diamond in the rough. Sometimes brusque, but he’s a very strong and respectable man.”
“I’m doomed, aren’t I?”
Donovan started laughing. “Shae, I’ve never seen this side of you. Is this how you act under pressure?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been in this position before.”
“It’s kind of cute, if you don’t mind me saying so. I promise my parents won’t throw you in the dungeon. No one in my family has done that to a foreigner in the past two hundred and fifty years.”
Shae stared at him and the wickedly mischievous glimmer in his eyes. “That’s it. I’m staying on the plane.”
“I’m just joking.” Donovan could barely contain his laughter.
“Not funny.” She inched away from him, trying to conceal her own amusement.
The plane made its landing and taxied to the gate. Donovan and his party were allowed off first. He carried Shae’s bag for her as they walked off the plane and into Severn’s small airport.
The airport was very tiny by ATL’s standards. Still, Shae was impressed with its sleek, ultra-modern design. She passed travelers who looked like they could be from different parts of the globe. Donovan wore his cap so no one stopped to notice him as they walked fast through the terminal. Giles and Murphy led them outside to a pair of sleek black cars with tinted windows. Across the street, people with cameras started making noise and waving.
“Looks like the paparazzi came out at night to welcome us home,” Donovan muttered to his security. He let Shae get in the car first before climbing in the backseat with her.
She peered out at the paparazzi through the tinted windows. “Do they always wait for you?”
“If it’s a public event or they find out where I’m going. They’re not nearly as bad as the Hollywood mobs who tail your American celebrities.”
“I’d still get annoyed at them following me all the time.”
“You get used to it. Here in Severn, they keep their distance for the most part.”
The driver started the car and took them down the road. Shae learned that Severn transit operated very much like the roads in the United States. People drove on the right side of the street and stopped at red lights. Most of them.
She couldn’t see much at night. They passed restaurants and went through what looked to be the center of a town.
“Tomorrow morning we’ll tour Trepal outside my family’s estate,” said Donovan. “I want to show you how we live.”
The drive lasted forty minutes. Shae was about ready to doze off as Donovan did on the plane when the car slowed down coming up on a hill. Donovan tapped her shoulder. “We’re here.”
She looked out the window to see a large sprawling estate at the top of the hill. She guessed they were in the heart of the countryside because they passed a few smaller homes, but there were no rows of street lights.
The car reached the top of the hill. Shae tried to get a good look at the Donovan’s family estate. The front of the building was painted white. Lights along the sides revealed a brick facade with climbing ivy and moss. The building looked like it spanned a block long.
The driver took them to the gate, which opened once he entered a code. He drove around to the front of the main entrance, under a covering and opened the door for Shae and Donovan.
“Welcome home, Your Highness.” A man in dark pants, a vest, and white shirt came out of the house.
To her surprise, he and Donovan clasped hands and shared one of those friendly man-hugs that ended with a clap on the back. “Shae, this is Jacques the butler. He’s been with the family since my father was little.”
“Good evening, Miss.” Jacques acknowledged her. “There’s refreshments waiting inside your room. I’ll get your bags.”
Shae followed Donovan past the security guards outside and walked through the white doors. The crisp cold night air gave way to cozy warmth. They continued through the foyer and into a living space. Plush blue carpet lined the floor all the way up to the fireplace where
a fire crackled. Donovan removed his coat.
Shae viewed the comfy armchair by the fire. “Will we see your parents in the morning?”
“Most likely not. Father’s speaking before the Severn Council at the weekly meeting and Mother said she had a charity event scheduled at a children’s clinic. We have a better chance of seeing them tomorrow at dinner. You’ll also get to meet my Aunt Resa. She’s an artist.”
She observed Jacques walking into the living room with her luggage. “If you’re ready, Miss, I can show you to your room.”
She looked to Donovan, who made himself at home in front of the fire. The flames made his hair glow bright as a copper penny. “See you in the morning.”
“Get some rest. I’d like to take you on a tour after breakfast.”
“Goodnight.” She left him in the comfort of the den.
Jacques took her down a winding hallway where portraits lined the walls. She passed contemporary figures of men and women in suits. The farther she went, the portraits grew older, until she was studying oil paintings of men and women dressed in Victorian clothing and hats that looked like they were straight out of a Charles Dickens novel. “Are these paintings of family members?”
“Yes, Miss. The portraits date back to the mid-1700s when a Caldwell built the estate. He was the owner of a tobacco shipping company.”
He climbed the stairs and led her through another hall. “This is the east wing, the newest addition to the house.”
The walls were painted crisp white. A modern art sculpture gleamed at the end of the hall. “When was it built, in the last ten years?”
“At the turn of the twentieth century.”
“Oh.”
Jacques stopped before a large oak door. “Here’s your guest suite. The maid already started a fire for you and laid fresh linens in the bath.”
Shae walked into the spacious guest room. It was big enough to fit her entire apartment and then some. The same soft dark blue carpet blanketed the floor. A massive bed with four wooden posts took up a section. It was built so high it needed a stepping stool. A majestic armoire and vanity also filled the room. A tea tray with sandwiches were on the vanity.
Jacques set her luggage by a chest at the foot of the bed. “If you need anything from the kitchen, dial one on the phone by the bed.”
“Thank you, Jacques.”
“Breakfast is at seven. Would you like a wake up call?”
“It’s probably a good idea.” Not knowing how jet lag would affect her, she wanted to be sure she didn’t sleep through breakfast.
Jacques left the room. Famished, Shae helped herself to the yummy little sandwiches and tea. After a few dainty cups, she understood why Donovan balked at the tea they served at the Kleghorn hotel back in Atlanta. She made a note to get a box for herself to take home.
She went into the gleaming marble bathroom and took a long hot shower. By the time she peeled the downy covers back from the bed, she was ready to close her eyes.
She turned out the light on the bedside table and snuggled in. So this was what it felt like to rest. She missed doing that. Shae closed her eyes and welcomed a deep sleep she hadn’t had in months.
Chapter Fifteen
Shae slept until the phone rang on the bedside table. “Hello?” she mumbled.
“Good morning,” a woman’s cheery voice responded. “This is your wake up call. Breakfast in the parlor room begins in thirty minutes.”
“Thanks.” She hung up the phone and buried her face in the pillows. Now she know what the hotel clients felt like when they received those complimentary calls from her. She lay in bed for another ten minutes, enough to get her mind fully awake. Then she went to brush her teeth and pick out something to wear to breakfast.
She settled on a light purple cable knit sweater and dark jeans. She put on the black leather boots she bought specifically for the trip. Might as well get her wear out of them.
She left her guest room and retraced her steps down the hall to the stairs separating the east and west wings of the estate. A domestic worker was dusting the banister of the stairs. “Excuse me, ma’am, could you tell me where the parlor is?”
The woman directed her to go down the hall and make two rights. Shae followed directions until the smell of coffee and pastries led her the rest of the way.
Donovan was in the parlor when she arrived. She entered the sunlit room and stood in awe at the heavy oak table, laden with enough food to feed far more than two people. Her mouth watered at the sight of delicate pastries and fluffy eggs. “Good morning. Is this all for us?”
“My Aunt Resa and her friends are staying at the estate for a few days. She should be down shortly.” Donovan looked at her outfit with a smile. “I see you’re taking advantage of sweater weather.” He got up and pulled out a chair beside him for her to sit.
“I love it. Fall never gets this cool in Atlanta.”
“We should take a walk in my mother’s garden sometime. You’ll see the colors of the fall foliage.” He looked to the parlor entrance again. “Aunt Resa.”
Shae turned in her chair to see a petite woman with short white hair and dancing blue eyes. She wore a grey shirt dress. Her large multicolored scarf almost swallowed her round cherubic face. “There’s my nephew. I thought you were hiding from us. Jacques told me you got in last night.”
“I did, very late.” He got up to greet her with a big hug. “But not as late as you did from your bridge game, from what I hear.”
“What else is an old woman like me supposed to do on a cold night, knit mittens?”
Shae smiled at the playful banter between Donovan and his aunt. She liked how Donovan openly showed affection to his family and kindness to the people who worked for him.
“Aunt Resa, I’d like to introduce you to Shae Lawson. She assisted me with revamping the Kleghorn hotels in Georgia.”
“What a lovely young woman you are to put up with my nephew all summer.” Donovan’s aunt took Shae’s hand and pumped it up and down. “You must have the patience of a saint. Either that or you’re doing penance.”
“Aunt Resa, please.” Donovan shook his head, good natured. “Let her eat before you get her to reveal her true feelings about me.”
“It’s nice to meet you…” Shae trailed off in a moment of panic. What royal title did Donovan’s Aunt Resa bear?
“Dear, I know what you’re thinking. I’m supposed to be a lady, a duchess such and such but call me Resa. It’s short for Theresa. I don’t care for titles when I’m out of the public eye.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Resa. My parents are big bridge players.”
“Oh?” Resa’s interest was piqued. “Do you play?”
“A little. I’m not very good.”
“We’ll see after dinner tonight. You’ll get to watch me win several rounds against my brother.”
“She’s referring to my father.” Donovan pulled out a chair for his aunt across from them. “Any special plans for your time at the estate this week, Auntie?”
“I’m here strictly to welcome you home.” Resa picked her napkin up from the plate and spread it across her lap. “Maybe sample some of Jacques’ specialty rum cake at the ball tomorrow night.”
“Ball?” Shae looked from her to Donovan.
“Oh, Donnie Boy, really.” Resa tsk-tsked. “You brought this sweet young lady all the way here and neglected to tell her about the ball in honor of both your hard work?”
“I am just now hearing of this.” Donovan defended himself. “I didn’t think anyone would go to great lengths to have a celebration.”
“You know your father. He pretends not to like parties, but that’s where you get your fun-loving spirit from.”
“Are you sure it doesn’t run from somewhere else in the family, Aunt Resa?”
“Why, no. I was raised to keep my head down and mind my business.” She looked to Shae and winked. “Hope you like music. There will be plenty of it at the ball.”
Shae fiddled with the
edge of her napkin. “I didn’t come prepared.”
“Not to worry. I’ll have one of my favorite shops in town bring you a few gowns to try on. We’ll find something for you to wear.”
“I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
“Please. All I need to know are your measurements. A selection of gowns can be here within the hour.”
“I’m taking Shae to visit the family castle after breakfast,” said Donovan.
“Hmm, that big dust trap is large enough to get lost in all day. Then Shae can try the gowns on this evening before dinner.” His aunt lifted a lid off one of the platters on the table. “Sausages. My favorite. Well, why are we letting the food get cold?”
“Aren’t we waiting on your friends?” asked Donovan.
“My friends are still asleep. Let’s eat.”
Shae exchanged glances with Donovan. She could tell he was trying to contain his laughter at his eccentric aunt.
After breakfast, Shae wrote down her measurements for Resa to give to her shop to find gowns. Then she and Donovan parted ways with his aunt. Shae went upstairs to grab her coat so they could leave. Then she went out of the estate with Donovan. He brought his car around to the front. The engine gave a low hum when they drove away from the estate and up a narrow road amid a fall countryside.
Shae admired the rustic scenery that passed by through the window. Houses that looked to be centuries old dotted the landscape. They passed a sheep farm and a field with chestnut and cream-colored horses. Children playing in the yard of one Tudor-style home waved to them as they drove by.
Twenty minutes went by before they came to a grand stone structure jutting out from the top of a hill.
“This is it,” Donovan said, driving to it. “Caldwell Castle.”
An old narrow brick bridge spanned a wide moat. An elderly man in hat and a thick coat sat within an enclosed structure at the front. He glanced at the license plate of the car and motioned for Donovan to drive through. “He’s the groundskeeper. The castle is closed to the public today, but we usually open it to tour around holiday season.”
