The door opened, and this time Kimberly didn’t jump. She finished her hair then turned to smile at Meg. "Are you from Boston?"
"No." Meg shook her head. "I was born and raised in Scotland, but Master Raphael moved us here to Maine."
Maine. Kimberly let out a breath. She was in the continental United States again after eight years. If she had to walk to Miami, she'd find her way home.
Meg stared at her feet. "We don’t have any slippers that would fit you, and you didn’t have any shoes. The socks will have to do. I'm to ensure you find your way to the study."
Kimberly swallowed then rushed to follow Meg's directions. On the second foot, though, she slowed down a bit. Questions never helped her get on people's good sides. She ought to meet the aged man that Meg worked for.
"Socks don't take this long, miss." Meg tapped her foot a bit.
Kimberly folded the top then stood up. Dizziness hit her hard as she stared at Meg, but she fought against the notion. She nodded at Meg and asked, "What is Mr. Raphael like?"
"You'll see soon enough." Meg walked in front of her. "And don't dawdle, Miss Kimberly. I have a lot to do."
Kimberly picked up her pace, but the long hardwood floor with the blue carpet that ran down the middle made her feel small. This place was huge and dark. The stone walls were cast in shadows. She stared at the huge mahogany doors that circled at the top. How many bedrooms did this place have? She shivered. This had to be a real castle. The hallway floor was meticulously kept, but her eyes were drawn to the portraits. Long-dead European nobles from throughout the ages littered the walls. One portrayed a man on horseback holding a bag full of heads to present to a woman in front of the castle. Kimberly swallowed and turned away. Her heart felt like it would explode in her chest.
Her gaze adjusted to the darkness, though she followed Meg, who picked up a candelabra from a corner table near her room. Kimberly held her breath then stared at the polished banister that overlooked the first floor. There was nothing scary about modern.
She cringed at another gargoyle in the corner near the stairs, but she kept her head up. "At Christmas, I bet you have a huge tree on the first floor."
Meg lifted her long skirt and went down the first step. "Last year Master Raphael skipped Christmas, but this year might be different."
Who skipped Christmas and why? Kimberly nodded, held the banister, and followed Meg. Even if Raphael was Ebenezer come to life, she still owed him her thanks.
Meg then led her down another hall toward double doors. She pointed and said, "Master Raphael is inside the library."
Kimberly nodded as Meg walked away, the draft in the hall causing the lights to flicker. Kimberly's hand trembled and her heart skipped.
Kimberly reached for the handle and crossed her fingers behind her back. She hoped she was safe and that she could call home. Mom might make her feel better, because the murders of her friends in that plane kept flashing in her mind.
Order Hidden Raphael Now!
Also by Victoria Pinder
Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)
The House of Morgan
Secret Crush
Secret Baby
Secret Bet
Secret Wish
Secret Dad
Secret Heir
Secret Tryst
Secret Date
Secret Romeo
Secret Caress
Secret Match
Secret Bridesmaid
Secret Admirer
Secret Cowboy
Secret Mistress
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 7-9
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 10-12
The House of Morgan Boxed Set 13-15
Princes of Avce
Forbidden Crown
Forbidden Prince
Forbidden Royal
Forbidden Duke
Forbidden Earl
Forbidden Monsieur
Forbidden Marquis
Forbidden Count
Forbidden King
Forbidden Bastard
Forbidden Noble
Forbidden Lord
Princes of Avce 1-3
Princes of Avce 4-6
Princes of Avce 7-9
The Hawke Fortune
Tempting Gabe
Tempting James
Tempting Conner
Tempting Harry
Tempting Navid
Hawke Series
Brothers in Revenge
Irresistibly Lost
Irresistibly Found
Irresistibly Charming
Irresistibly Tough
Irresistibly Played
Irresistibly Rugged
Irresistibly Strong
Irresistibly Dashing
Irresistibly Boxed Set 3-5
Irresistibly Boxed Set 6-8
A Frosted Game of Hearts
Hidden Gabriel
Hidden Raphael
Hidden Michael
Hidden Dane
Hidden Rocco
Hidden Alphas Boxed Set
The Marshall Family Saga
Favorite Crush
Favorite Mistake
Favorite Sin
Favorite Scandal
The Collins Brothers
Chaperoning Paris
Borrowing the Doctor
Gerard
Liam
Eric
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Dawn of the Dragon
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Earthseekers Mission
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The Zoastra Affair
Ancient Greek Heroes
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About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston then moved to Miami. Eventually, found that writing is her passion. She always wrote stories to entertain herself. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, but when she sat down to see what she enjoyed doing, writing became obvious.
Visit my website and download a free novel
www.victoriapinder.com
[email protected]
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