“What if I told you I could make you into the kind of woman who would turn the head of every man who gazes upon you? What if I told you this man you are in love with will not only burn for you, but will pine for you? What if I told you I could teach you, guide you, and show you everything I know? What if I told you it is not impossible to be the woman whom you dream of? What if I could teach you the art of love, the instruction of using your sensuality and grace which will in turn give you everything you have wished to become?”
“I would say it sounds impossible.”
Jacqueline patted my hand. “No, nothing is impossible.”
“But, how?”
“You come, stay with me, and we will begin our transformation.”
“Stay with you at the chateau?”
“Oui.”
“But I don’t have a lot of money and I—”
“You do not need money.”
“And you will help me with Reid?”
“Oui, he will be like putty in your hands.”
I was afraid to ask, but I mustered up the courage. I tried to tell myself I wanted, needed to hear the answer. I had to know.
“Is Reid staying with you at the chateau?”
“No.” The answer pounded through my heart. “But he does come to visit with his companion John Paul. We have an arrangement of sorts.”
“Arrangement? What do you mean?”
“All will be revealed, including your Reid and his arrangements.”
“Then he will see me before I am ready to see him?”
“No, my petit. Reid will only see you when he needs to see you. You shall not reveal who you are until he is falling at your feet, begging you to love him.”
“Begging?”
“Oui,” Jacqueline assured. “Your Reid will grovel, burn, and pine for you, Trinity. This,” she said, lifting her chin to show off the perfect smile that was stretching across her face, “I can promise you.”
I looked down at my hand held inside of Jacqueline’s as I thought over the promises. The idea of being the woman who would make Reid burn appealed to me more than Jacqueline could ever know. This had always been my wish, my desire. To imagine such a thing was almost incomprehensible.
I glanced up at Jacqueline. “Yes, Jacqueline,” I whispered. “I accept your offer.”
Jacqueline picked up her cell phone. Her long elegant finger punched out a number.
“Alec,” she said as she placed the phone to her ear, “come for me at the hotel de fere.” I watched. There was a pause, a sly smile, and a nod of her head. “Ring Lilli Anna. Make sure the guest room is acceptable.” Jacqueline gazed over toward me. “Yes, my dearest Alec. We are having a guest at the chateau.”
When Jacqueline flipped her phone closed I had to ask. “How did you know I was staying at the hotel de fere?”
“It is the only hotel in town, my petit. Now come, let us gather up your things, we have much work to do and little time.”
“Didn’t you have something to do today? Were you meeting someone?”
“I came to place an order. I am having a dinner party tonight and needed a special cake.”
“Oh,” I muttered.
“Now, you will be the talk of the party and no one will even notice the cake,” Jacqueline said. She rose from her chair in a graceful movement that seemed to be from another more regal era.
“I don’t do well with people, strangers, crowds,” I admitted.
“My petit, you came thousands of miles to find the man you love. You will do fine tonight. More to the point, not everyone will be a stranger once we arrive at the chateau.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you are now family, and your new sisters will be happy to welcome you.”
Jacqueline and I made our way back to the hotel. Jacqueline stayed behind to speak with the man at the counter and wait for Alec to arrive while I packed up my things. I pondered calling Reid. I paced back and forth, glancing at the phone on every pass before I finally gave in and sat down. I drummed my fingers across the desk then stood. I bit my lip then sat back down. I grabbed up the receiver then slammed it down. Again, my fingers wreaked havoc on the desk before finally making the call.
The first ring vibrated over my ear, the second … then I thought about hanging up until I heard…
“Hello.”
It wasn’t Reid’s voice. This man had a deep French accent.
“Um, hi, I’m trying to get ahold of Reid Addison.”
“Reid, the phone is for you!” It sounded like the man dropped the phone. I heard cussing in the background and what sounded like a scuffle.
“Hey, this is Reid.”
“Reid,” I said, quietly.
“Trinity, is that you?”
“Yes. How are you?”
“I’m fine, how are you? I wasn’t expecting you to call.”
“I know. I can’t talk long. I may not be able to call you again for a while but I just wanted to say hi.”
Reid let out a low laugh. “Hi,” he said. “I’m glad you called. It makes me smile when I talk with you.”
“It does? Are you smiling now?”
“It does, and yes, I am smiling, baby bird.”
“So do you have any plans tonight?”
There was a pregnant pause.
“John Paul and I were invited to a party, but I’m not sure we’re going. We may crash it later and skip the dinner, we haven’t decided yet.”
“Oh,” I replied, wondering if it was the same party Jacqueline was throwing. If so, how was I going to stay hidden from him?
“And you, any hot plans for tonight?” Reid inquired.
“I am going to a party too. You know my life is one continuous party. Places to go, people to see, you know that, Reid.”
Reid gave a breathy laugh. “I know, baby bird.”
“Listen, Reid, I have to go. It was good talking to you. Will you try to keep yourself out of trouble?”
“I’ll try, but trouble sort of follows me.” Reid chuckled wickedly. “Or maybe I’m the trouble.”
“Maybe?”
“So you agree, you think I’m trouble?” Reid asked.
I twisted my fingers through the loops on the phone cord. “It could be.”
“So, do you love me or hate me?”
“Both.”
“At least you’re honest.”
“Reid, I would love to continue our banter, but I really do have to go.”
“Okay, thanks for calling, Trinity. It was a nice surprise. Call me again sometime.”
“I will. Talk with you soon.”
“That’s the way,” Reid approved, “never say goodbye.”
“Never,” I ended.
I placed the phone onto the receiver, stood up from the desk, gave one last look in the mirror, gathered up my bags, and headed down to the lobby in what the hotel staff called, a lift. I struggled for a moment to open the lift doors, but finally managed the task only to see Jacqueline waiting. Jacqueline was the picture of elegance with her long gloves clutched inside of one hand and a smile stretched across her perfectly angular face.
“Are you ready, my petit?” Jacqueline asked.
“Yes, I just need to settle my bill with the—”
“Everything has been settled.”
“But…”
“No but, no worries for you, my petit,” Jacqueline assured, taking my hand. “Alec,” she called over her shoulder.
A tall man with long wavy black hair and skin the color of cinnamon approached. He was wearing black from head to toe and walking with an easy confidence. He stood perfectly straight with wide shoulders that angled into a slim waist.
“You must be Trinity.” His accent sounded Spanish.
“Yes,” I said. My eyes met his beautiful white smile before I noticed the color of honey flickering within his eyes.
He kept his gaze upon my face. “Jacqueline was right. You are stunningly beautiful.”
I looked down. Alec reached out and lifted my ch
in, holding my gaze. “No, my beauty, you shall never feel anything less than the stunning woman you are. Do not look down. You will never look down again.”
I smiled. There was something compelling about this man just as there was something compelling in Jacqueline. I decided I liked him, unsure of why, but I felt safe around Alec.
“I will try,” I said.
Alec swept the back of his fingers over the surface of my cheek. “And I will remind you every day just how stunning you are,” he promised.
“Alec, I believe we are ready. Did you pick up the cake?” Jacqueline asked.
“Yes, my pet. Everything has been taken care of.”
Jacqueline gave the older man behind the counter a look, along with the flip of her hand. He sent out a younger man with red curls. He grinned at me, flipped a coat around his shoulders, picked up my bags, and carried them to the shiny black car that was parked in front of the hotel. It looked like a Mercedes. This man placed my bags in the trunk, shut the lid then said something to Jacqueline. He kissed Jacqueline’s hand then backed away as if she were royalty.
The ride to the chateau did not seem long but maybe this was possible since the passage of time seemed almost nonexistent due to my complete emersion gazing out the side window of the car. I was doing something I had never done before. I looked instead of cowering with my eyes closed.
For a moment I wondered at what I was doing. I was headed into the countryside of a foreign country with strangers. I should be panic stricken, but oddly I wasn’t. That little inner voice told me you are naive, too trusting but then I gazed over to see a large pastry box that was keeping me company in the backseat. I switched my gaze to the front where Alec was driving and Jacqueline was perched quite regally in the seat next to him. Jacqueline pulled a silver compact from her bag and began to swipe powder over her perfect nose. For some reason, I trusted Jacqueline.
I returned my attentions to the landscape that passed by outside the window. I wondered if I had walked into one of my picture postcards. I noticed a group of foxes scurry through the snow. They found a crop of trees. With the brush of their reddish tails they were gone, hiding from view. I’d never seen real foxes before, only images within the electronic world of my computer.
When I saw the chateau, it looked exactly like the picture Reid sent, only with more white, having the remnants of the recent snowstorm scattered about.
“We are home,” Jacqueline announced as the car pulled up to the front door.
It was the same arched door, painted in a deep shade of wine-colored burgundy. As soon as the car came to a stop, the front door flung open. Several beautiful women stood there, waiting, like my arrival was somehow news. Alec came around and opened the door, giving me a hand then Jacqueline.
“The cake,” I reminded.
“I shall send someone to get the cake,” Jacqueline assured.
Alec took my arm and escorted me inside. Once we stepped over the threshold, he started shooing the women with his hand, making room. I felt a little overwhelmed. My breath caught for a moment. I grabbed into Alec’s arm for support.
Jacqueline announced, “Everyone. This is our newest sister. Her name is Trinity.”
Several voices, all with different pitches and accents said, “Trinity, welcome.” Then the long individualized introductions began…
Standing on the bottom rung of the grand staircase was an exotic looking woman whose skin was perfection and encompassed the color of mahogany. She looked like a goddess, dressed in a sheer almost translucent gown. Her hair was beautiful. It showered down her body, flowing like strands of blackened silk. Her face, angel-like, complete with thick black lashes, and pouting red lips. Jacqueline pointed to this woman.
“Trinity. This is Tempest,” Jacqueline introduced.
“Hello,” I said.
Tempest nodded and smiled. “Hello, Trinity. Welcome home.”
Next to the staircase was another beautiful goddess-like creature with long golden hair falling down her back in a cascade, stopping inches from the floor. She wore a gold band in her hair with golden jewelry coiled around the tops of her arms like gilt snakes. She wore a long golden dress that allowed all of her curves to be seen, and then some. Her eyes were the color of vivid blue, like the summer sky. She had deep set dimples as she smiled.
Jacqueline held out her hand. “This is Serenity,” she announced. The golden goddess stepped forward.
“Welcome, Trinity,” Serenity said in a velvety voice.
“Thank you,” I replied.
I had the feeling I had just walked into a harem of stunningly beautiful creatures, and I knew there was no way I could ever be compared to any of these women. I wanted to look down, but Alec smiled as if he knew I was ready to tuck tail and run. He took his hand and softly lifted my chin before I could tuck it.
A brilliant redhead came from another room. She glided across the floor. Her long flowing dress billowed out and gave the illusion of floating. Her eyes caught the flicker of the light and were jade green. Her cheekbones set high and her face was perfect, but what I couldn’t keep from staring at was her flawless skin. Her skin glowed the color of peaches and cream.
“Hello, Trinity. I am Breeze. Welcome to our home.”
“Hello, Breeze,” I replied.
Two ladies approached. Holding hands. They were both wearing black dresses that clung to their perfect bodies. Large geometric shapes where cut out of the sides of the dress that highlighted their curves and seemed to accentuate the cut to their trim and tiny waistlines. They were tall, elegant, and looked like Victoria’s Secret runway models. They moved together like they were twins. Upon a closer look, they were, only one had hair the color of hazelnut while the other had strawberry blonde strands.
“We are Desiree and Domonique.” They spoke in unison as their voices blended into harmony. “We are glad you have come to join us.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Jacqueline spoke up again. This time she introduced another beauty named Scarlet. Scarlet walked forward, wearing something that looked like it came from the Roman baths. Her body was svelte and athletic looking beneath the low-cut frock. Her hair was cut short, adorned with what looked like sprigs of wildflowers; however, I didn’t know where the flowers would have come from since it was winter, and snowing. Scarlet had a brilliant smile. It lit up the room like a thousand watt bulb. But what I was drawn to were her eyes. They were painted dark blue, like the eyes of Cleopatra.
“Trinity. I am pleased to meet you,” Scarlet said.
“Thank you. I am pleased to meet you as well.”
“Where is Amelia?” Jacqueline asked.
Breeze spoke up. “She will be here soon. She had a visitor.”
“Ah,” Jacqueline replied then turned her attention to the beauty who stood by the large circular table in the middle of the foyer. “Ceclie, this is Trinity. Trinity, this is Ceclie,” Jacqueline introduced with the wave of a regal hand. We both nodded in acknowledgement of each other.
Ceclie was wearing a silver strapless dress and it was plastered to her body. She was heavy-chested with ample perfect cleavage, and skin bathed in silver flecks. Her hair was the color of caramel, highlighted with streaks of blonde. She had fingernails like claws, painted silver to match her dress. In her nose was a small diamond stud. It caught the light and twinkled. Ceclie was tall and blessed with long shapely legs.
I watched as yet another beauty came into view. An Asian queen approached, dressed in dark purple robes. Her hair was silken black. It was perfectly straight and long with the front pulled up onto the top of her head. A hair comb fanned out from the bundle of hair upon her head and dangled strands of what looked like cherry blossoms. Her lips were the shape of a perfect heart painted the perfect shade of cherry red. Her eyes were the color of brushed nickel and set her face into a startling beauty.
She bowed. “I am Ambre.”
“Hi, Ambre,” I replied then wondered if the plethora of beautiful women would
ever stop coming.
“I am Amelia,” a sultry voice announced. Her voice floated down the stairs in a seduction of feminine power. “I am sorry I am late. Please, forgive me.”
I gazed up to see a Nubian princess with flawless skin the color and shine of patent leather, and eyes like the color of ash. She was shapely, and just as beautiful if not more beautiful than all the rest of the women.
“It’s fine, there is nothing to forgive,” I offered. Amelia smiled bright white. She came to hug me.
“Welcome, my sister,” Amelia said then gave me a light hug with a small kiss on the cheek. “You are quite beautiful, Trinity,” she said, and then she ran her fingers through some of my golden curls. “You shine like the sun.”
“Thank you, but I’m positive all of you are much more beautiful than I,” I said, assured.
Alec chimed in. “Trinity does not know her value or the depth of her beauty. I am sure with your help she will see her value soon.”
Voices rang out from every direction, “Yes,” they agreed.
Jacqueline touched my cheek. “Trinity, go with your sisters now, they will show you to your room, and help you prepare for our dinner party tonight.”
“Yes,” Amelia said, “we have a lot to do.”
“It’s okay,” Jacqueline assured. “I will be up to check on you momentarily. I have a few things to take care of with Alec and then we will begin our tutelage.”
“Come,” Amelia said, taking my hand. The other women closed in around us.
I was encircled by the most beautiful women I had ever seen as we floated up the stairs.
Amelia came to a door, opened it, and walked inside, still holding on to my hand. All the other women followed in behind. The room was large and open, with a canopy bed set prominently in the middle, adorned in white lace as the coverlet. Scattered about were small powder pink pillows edged in feathers. There was a floral chaise settee perched beside an antique hand painted vanity, and a whitewashed armoire beside the large shuttered window. The room was filled with fresh cut flowers. They were placed on the bedside tables, the vanity, the top of the wooden rolltop desk, and it smelled of springtime instead of winter.
“This is your new room,” Amelia announced. She let go of my hand and walked over to the armoire. “You can put your things here.” Amelia opened the doors to the beautiful piece of furniture before turning back to gaze at me then over to the other faces of the women in the room. “Go prepare the bath. Jacqueline will be up soon, and we need to help our new sister prepare for the festivities this evening.”
The Good Sister: Part One Page 10
