The day just couldn't get any better, she thought to herself.
Or worse…
They were the only ones staying at the top of the tower?
Although it was oddly comforting that the Duke wanted her to have a good view of the ocean, but placing her in a room across from his son?
Even if he was a Eunuch… a man would always be a man, she thought.
Everetta stepped into her room slowly and looked around, her eyes scanning every surface almost as if she were looking for any excuse to declare the room unfit for her stay.
There wasn't a speck of dust in sight, the bed was freshly made with lavender scented sheets, a cloth chest laid to the side, the floor was polished to perfection, and the windows…
God, the windows…
Eve moved towards them before she could stop herself.
She could draw there for hours… or read a book about sea travel and voyages.
It was perfect, even better than the one she had at home.
Her breath caught when she glanced at the sight beyond it.
The sea sparkled under the grinning sun as a wave closed over the shore.
How did he know?
She turned towards the older woman who had a knowing smile on her face.
"A bath will be sent up, and you will be called down for dinner." She stepped backwards, stopping at the threshold. "And if you need anything at all, ring this bell." She indicated a bell near the bed post.
Eve glanced at the bed, taking in its large size.
What was she to do with such a large bed?
Her desperate mind conjured an image of Theodore sleeping beside her inside it and her cheeks warmed when she realized the direction of her thoughts.
"I'm pleased you find your room to your tastes. I shall inform the Duke - he will be very pleased to hear such." The lady made to close the door, but stopped briefly. "And also, if you ever do feel the need to swim, feel free to do so. The Lords of the manor want you to feel at home here."
Then she was gone.
The silence that fell was maddeningly comforting.
"All but one…" Eve murmured to herself.
The soft splashing sounds of the waves soothed her in ways her mother's singing couldn't.
"I will enjoy my stay, I should think." She whispered to herself as she began to undress for the promised bath.
The bath arrived a few moments later, hot and perfect for her limbs which were extremely sore from travel.
Eve dismissed the maids and bathed herself.
Her thoughts kept drifting to the owner of the room at the extreme end of the hallway. Even so far apart, she felt close to him.
Closer than she had ever been in thirteen years.
Was she doing the right thing by accepting Friedrich when she wanted his brother?
When she was done with the bath, she rang for a maid to assist her to dress.
Candace arrived alongside the maid, already dressed for dinner in a plain brown plaid gown and her silver locket she always wore. Her hair was pinned up in a stylish chignon.
"I'm wondering if you're red because of the steaming water you just stepped out from, or the fact that…" Candace stopped herself when she remembered that there was a servant in the room.
"Could you excuse us? I'll help the Lady dress."
The maid in her long grey service gown nodded almost too eagerly and scurried from the room as if she was afraid they would call her back if she stalled.
"How did you end up in the same tower as Lord Untouchable? That is too much of a coincidence even for me."
Eve shrugged. "The housekeeper told me that the Duke specifically requested this room for me - mostly because of the beautiful view of the sea."
Candace spared a glance out the window.
"You always did love a good view." Then groaning, she muttered, "I've stayed in their house for a long time and they have never thought of offering me such a room. I always reside in the guest suite that faces a nice view of the bush!"
Eve couldn't help laughing. Everything had its own silent beauty - even the bush.
"I'm supposed to dress for dinner… and you're supposed to assist me, remember?"
Candace nodded absent-mindedly and headed for her cloth chest.
"The ball is already in preparation as it is. It is also your debut into society as the soon-to-be Lord Von Virchow's betrothed. No expenses are being spared… and I have reason to believe that this event will be the talk of the whole season."
Eve felt her stomach flip downwards.
She was going to be the center of attraction for a whole season?
Candace threw the same red dress she had lended her on the bed and began digging the chest for the matching undergarments.
"What kind of contraption is that?" Eve gasped out when she saw the corset.
Candace grinned, setting the severely boned garment on the bed beside the dress.
"I expected to be dressed in soft colours, just as you are." Eve murmured.
Candace placed a hand on her lips, her eyes bored.
"You forget that you are on a mission. Do I need to remind you what that is?"
Everetta shook her head, her locks twirling with the slight movement.
"Good. Now let's get you dressed."
By the time she was dressed and ready to attend the dinner, she felt like an overstuffed pumpkin on the verge of explosion. Her cleavage was higher than she had ever worn it and the bodice of the dress clung to her frame like a second skin.
She was simply a… walking scandal.
Everetta was certain that her name would be on everyone's lips for the entirely wrong reason.
And this was just the beginning.
At the end of the stairs, Friedrich stood there in a gold waistcoat and dark breeches.
As she began the journey down the steps, Theo emerged, dusty and dirty. He didn't even spare her a glance as he passed by her, taking the steps two at a time.
She heard him enter his room and close the door. The ground below her shook slightly at the impact.
And the little confidence she had left her room with vanished completely.
Beside her, she was reminded of Candace's presence when she heard her breath catch.
Friedrich was indeed handsome, but Eve could barely notice.
The drenched and dirty man she just saw claimed all her attention.
"Shall we?" Friedrich began ascending to reach where she stood.
Of course, she nodded.
But what she really wanted was to return to her room and call it a day.
"He looked." Candace leaned in to whisper.