should, yes. Let’s go to my quarters. I’ll use the phone there. And we can finish our lunch on the balcony.”
“All right.” His quarters? As in his bedroom. Where he slept. The idea sent the strangest sensation through her, like she was about to enter some secret, forbidden place. In a way, that was true. His private rooms were just that—private.
But it was more than that. She was about to get a glimpse of who he was when he was alone. A person’s private space spoke volumes about them.
They went up the steps and past the library to a set of double doors at the end of the hall. He balanced his plate on top of his glass so he could open one. He held it for her to enter ahead of him. She went in. The foyer felt very much like him. Dark and serene, all deep blues and plums with hints of gold. Very royal and very masculine.
Immediately across from the entrance was the Gallow crest, lit by a gentle spotlight. On either side of the crest were sets of double doors. One set was already open.
He pointed through those doors. “The phone is in the living room right through here.”
“Don’t you want some privacy?”
He shrugged. “I don’t mind. But I’ll show you the balcony. You might as well eat while you wait on me. I’m sure I won’t be long.”
“All right.” She walked with him into the living room, which wasn’t much more than a massive sofa, a large ottoman, and an enormous television. “Great setup for movies.”
He nodded. “It is. Which is probably why I never use the theater.”
“But that must have a bigger screen.”
“It does. I suppose we should start using it. There’s a popcorn machine and soda fountain in there, too.”
“You could invite the rest of the staff. Might be fun for them. If you wanted to, obviously.” Maybe that was overstepping. He might not want to spend time with the staff like that.
He gave her suggestion a few seconds of thought. “I love that idea. In fact, the night after the dinner party would be perfect. A little evening off after the extra work.” He took her hand. “Although, a movie night for just the two of us has merit as well.”
She smiled.
He tipped his head toward the next room. “Balcony is just through here.”
So was his bed, an enormous nest of a thing with a swooping canopy that connected the four tall posters. He went right past it to the sets of French doors on the far wall.
He opened one pair, then turned. “My balcony. A little grander than the one attached to your guest room, but I do spend a lot of time out here.”
She walked through. His balcony was the size of all of his rooms combined. “It’s an amazing space.”
“I think so, too.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll just go call Amelia, and then after lunch, we can do nothing but read for the rest of the day.”
“I’ll be right here.”
He went to make his call. She put her food and drink on the small table, then walked to the railing and looked out over the garden. It was a beautiful space. From above, the pavilion with its blossoming vines looked like a raft of flowers. They were so thick they hid the fountain, although if she listened closely, she could hear it. That garden was all that separated the house from the encroaching forest. She stared into the murky depths of the thick woods, intrigued.
At home in Limbo, the forest that surrounded the kingdom was her refuge. When life got too burdensome, which was often, she’d slip outside and wander into the woods until she found a spot just to sit.
Once, she’d gone starstone hunting. They were usually found in the very early morning after a hard rain. The rain had an effect on the sap of the elestia trees, and if the temperature was right, starstones formed. They were such pretty things. Like a translucent silver pearl. When faceted and polished, they were dazzling.
Working at a bakery meant her early morning hours were rarely her own, so that hunting trip had happened only once. Still, that single hunt had earned her a week’s pay for the two stones she’d found. That money had given them a little breathing room with one of her father’s collectors.
Her gaze dropped to the balcony as her thoughts turned to him. She hoped he was all right. That his