Susan Stephens by Count Maxime's Virgin

Author:Count Maxime's Virgin [Virgin, Count Maxime's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-06-03T21:49:02+00:00

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

The floor was a chessboard of black and white marble, and there were gilded cream, pink-veined marble columns reaching towards a vaulted ceiling far above their heads. Apart from the murmur of voices pitched at a discreet level, there was a stillness and even a majesty to their surroundings. She had never been anywhere quite like it, Tara thought in wonder, though she had seen similar palaces in books, of course. The ornate painted ceiling was like something out of the Sistine Chapel. It had obviously been restored quite recently, and the colours were luminous—aquamarine, cobalt blue, ivory and cream, soft rose and peach tones…

‘Shall I take Poppy from you?’ Lucien offered.

Tara was still gawping open-mouthed at the ceiling and quickly collected herself. ‘No, that’s okay, thank you.’ Instinctively, she tightened her hold on Poppy when Lucien made as if to take their baby niece out of her arms.

‘I’ll introduce you to the staff, then,’ he said.

She was full of concentration now, wanting to remember everyone’s name, but there were so many people to meet, it was inevitable she lost track eventually. The line stretched right across the hall.

It would take this many people to care for such a large building, Tara reasoned. She would just have to seek out each member of staff in private later. She wanted to introduce herself properly and get to know everyone so she could reassure herself about the people who would be caring for Poppy.

After the introductions had been completed, Lucien led their small party to the foot of the sweeping staircase. ‘Now you will let me take Poppy,’ he insisted. ‘These marble steps can be quite dangerous when you’re not used to them.’

Tara’s gaze tracked up the towering staircase. He was right. She couldn’t afford to take any chances with Poppy, she concluded, handing over her precious cargo.

They mounted the stairs beneath a legion of stern-faced ancestors. An older woman with grey hair, dressed in a sober uniform was waiting to greet them on the first landing. This was the housekeeper, Tara learned. She looked kind, Tara thought hopefully.

‘Refreshments for the ladies?’ Lucien checked with her before moving on down the wood-panelled corridor.

‘Oui, Monsieur, le Conte,’ the housekeeper confirmed, bobbing a curtsey to him. ‘Everything is ready,’

she said, sparing a warm and reassuring smile for Tara.

If she had needed any more reminders of Lucien’s exalted position in life, she was sure to get them here, Tara reflected wryly as she smiled back.

‘This is the nursery,’ Lucien said, handing Poppy back so he could open a heavy wooden door. He stood back to allow Tara to enter in front of him. ‘I hope you approve…’

Approve? Tara’s eyes widened. She only wished Poppy was older so they could explore it together.

This was only the sitting room, she gathered, seeing more doors leading off. She walked deeper into the inviting well-lit space, noticing that everything a baby could possibly need appeared to be, if not in place, then in boxes, and everything had been sourced from the very best of stores.

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