the flatware was gold. Stunned by such opulence, she sat down.
Moments later, Bevins entered the room, a covered tray in his hands. As he uncovered it, a variety of rich aromas filled the room. There was sliced ham, poached eggs, fluffy biscuits, pats of butter, a jar of quince jam, a bowl of porridge, fresh strawberries and cream, sliced peaches, a pot of tea.
"I hope this is satisfactory, miss," he said.
"Oh, yes." She had never seen such a variety of food at one time. "Will... will Lord Rayven be joining me for breakfast?"
"No, miss."
She should have been relieved. Instead, she felt a wave of disappointment.
"Will there be anything else, miss?"
"No, thank you."
"Very well, miss. I'll bring the coach round when you're ready to go."
Rhianna nodded, overwhelmed by the richness of her surroundings, the bounty spread before her.
Certain she couldn't eat it all, she sampled everything, and when she sat back twenty minutes later, she was amazed to see there was nothing left. She had eaten every bite.
She spent the rest of the morning at Madame Sofia's. At a loss to know what fabrics and styles to pick for herself, Rhianna gave herself over to the modiste, who, after taking her measurements, sent Rhianna on her way with the promise of three day dresses to be delivered the following afternoon, and the rest within the week, along with all the necessary undergarments, hats, shoes, gloves, and parasols a lady required.
Rhianna's head was spinning by the time they returned to the castle.
Bevins prepared a lavish midday meal, graciously accepted her thanks, then suggested Rhianna take a nap.
Rhianna smiled. A nap in the middle of the day! She had never had that luxury before. But, tempting as it sounded, she wasn't tired.
"Would it be all right if I looked around?"
"Of course, miss. This is your home now. You may explore at your leisure. All the rooms are at your disposal save those in the east tower."
"Thank you, Bevins."
"What time would you like supper, miss?"
"I don't know. What time does Lord Rayven usually dine?"
"Lord Rayven rarely dines at home."
"Oh." She felt a wave of disappointment as she recalled that Lord Rayven had told her she would not see him again. Even though he frightened her, she thought him the most fascinating man she had ever met.
"Seven o'clock, miss?"
"What? Oh, yes, that will be fine. Thank you."
She spent the rest of the day exploring the castle, certain she would never find her way around. So many rooms and stairways and passages.
She bypassed the first story, where, in olden times, the granaries had been located, as well as the boxes and barrels and casks that had held household supplies.
The second floor housed the dwelling and common rooms for the inhabitants of the castle. Bevins's kitchen was here, adjoining a large, well-stocked pantry.
A passageway led to a dormitory where the castle's ladies-in-waiting had once slept. It occurred to Rhianna that her chamber, which was the largest room she had seen, must have been the sleeping quarters for the lord and lady of the castle. Knowing that made her wonder anew where Lord Rayven's chamber was.
She turned down another corridor, glad she had thought to bring a lamp with her, for the hallways were dark. She had never been given to flights of fancy and she wasn't about to start now, although, if one were going to believe in ghosts and goblins, she supposed the castle at Devil Tree Mountain would be the perfect place to start.
She paused now and then, admiring the paintings and rich tapestries that hung on the walls.
The first room she came to was a library filled with more books than could be read in a lifetime. Rhianna ran her fingers over the spines. She lifted a heavy volume from another shelf and opened it, staring in wonder at the fine spidery script. Gilt edged each page. She saw beautiful drawings of cherubs and winged horses.
Turning the pages, she found drawings of wolves and ravens and bats, a skeletal figure in a long black cloak, a dark angel who held a skull in one hand and a silver chalice in the other.
Disturbed by the images, she closed the book and put it back on the shelf.
She entered the great hall next. This room, where the family had once dined, was furnished with a long trestle table and a single high-backed chair made of black wood. Looking closely, she saw that the back of the chair was carved in the shape of a raven with