Page 25 of The Thing About My Prince

It’s a shame Lexi isn’t seeing the grand facade, with its huge arched windows and pointed turrets at either side, against a sunny, blue sky, with the grass around it all lush and green.

Only because I want her to portray it correctly in the book, of course. It doesn’t matter to me at all what she thinks about it personally.

The building might be old and not in the greatest state of repair, but it really is still a stunner in the right light.

Right now, however, as Dane drives our rented SUV, with Cole in the passenger seat and Lexi and me in the back, through the gates and up the long, straight driveway, it looks tired, damp, and sad.

“Wow, is it haunted?” Lexi leans between the front seats to get the best view possible.

Yeah, that’s not the impression I was hoping for.

“You don’t strike me as someone who believes in ghosts.” But she does strike me as someone who looks remarkably good after not getting much sleep on our overnight flight.

“Well, if I did believe in them, this would be the sort of grim-looking building I’d expect to find one.”

“It’s not that bad.” For some reason, I feel the need to defend the place I never enjoyed living in and spent most of my life trying to escape.

We pull up to the entrance, and two members of the household staff with broad smiles come trotting down the steps.

“You’ll like these two.” I nudge Lexi. “Flora and James have been with us since I was a kid. They’ll be on our side.”

“You mean some of the staff won’t be?”

“You’ll see.”

James opens the rear passenger door.

“Oh. Miss.” He does a good job of disguising his surprise. “Hello. Welcome.”

He shoots me a look as I get out of the car behind her.

“James, this is Lexi.” I rest my hand on her shoulder.

She gives me a sharp, questioning look. “Is no one expecting me?”

I shake my head.

There’s a flash across her eyes and her mouth opens to say something I imagine will not be complimentary, but James gets in first.

“I’ll get the bags,” he says, heading for the boot.

“So great to see ya, sir,” Flora says.

“You too.” It’s probably not the done thing, but I give her a hug anyway.

“But you shoulda told us ye were bringing this bonnie lassie with ya. Then we coulda prepared.”

“Yes, I’m surprised he didn’t tell you too,” Lexi says pointedlywith an undercurrent of fury at me as she offers her hand to Flora. “But it’s lovely to meet you.”

“Any food allergies or anything we should know aboot?” Flora asks. “So I can let the kitchen know.”

“No, I’m easy. All good with anything.”

“Excellent.” Flora takes a step back to look us both over. “What a lovely couple the two of ye makes.”

Do we? I guess we might.

James reappears from the back of the car. “I’ll take your things upstairs, sir. Those guys can handle their own.” He nods toward Dane and Cole, who’re now standing on the other side of the SUV, surveying the grounds.