Page 15 of Christmas at the Castle
Decorator perfect.
And this was the place she’d call home for the next two weeks.
Butterflies took flight in her stomach.
She forced herself not to spin around to take in the museum-quality artwork—tapestries and paintings—on the walls. A huge crystal chandelier hung above the foyer, and ornate gilded molding formed patterns on the ceiling.
“Wow.” Kat didn’t know how many times she’d said the word. Probably a dozen, but she hoped only once. Doubtful since this was the most wow-worthy place she’d seen, let alone stayed.
And this was where she would wake up on Christmas morning.
Let the pinching begin.
“Please follow me upstairs, Miss Kat,” Liv said from the first step.
Kat climbed the staircase.
“You’ll be staying in the family wing.” Liv led her down a hallway with many doors that looked the same. “Princess Sophia’s bedroom is two doors down from yours.”
Kat froze. “Wait. Sophie lives here?”
“This is the family’s residence.”
That was news to Kat. She’d known Sophie came from money. She’d seen the fancy furniture and artwork in the background during video chats, but Kat had never thought her friend lived in a castle.
Liv stopped in front of an open door. “You’re staying in the blue room.”
The door didn’t have a plaque that said “blue” or look any different from the other doors. Kat wondered how she’d find the room again if she left unaccompanied. Or maybe she wasn’t supposed to wander around the castle alone and similar-looking doors were the deterrent.
She stepped inside. Blue room, indeed.
Air rushed from her lungs.
The color was her favorite and not only because the color matched Kat’s eyes. Her papa had once told her that her father—his son—had loved blue, too. That was one thing she had in common with her dad, and she clung to the color blue like a lifeline.
Leave it to Sophie to pick this room for Kat.
So elegant and royal.
The walls were painted a robin-egg blue with a white chair rail. Pairs of gilded-framed oil paintings of landscapes hung on either side of a four-poster queen-sized bed with a mountain of pillows in every shape and size. Above the headboard, heavy blue fabric, white lace, and gold tassels provided a regal canopy fit for a princess.
Or a houseguest.
Kat smiled.
The blue, white, and gold color scheme was used throughout the décor. Fancy lamps set on tabletops, and a chandelier hung in the center of the room. A large armoire was in one corner where Claude had set her luggage—the only things in the room that didn’t coordinate. Logs crackled and flames danced in the fireplace in the other. She couldn’t wait to try out the comfy, overstuffed reading chair. Off to the far side of the room was a round table with a small Christmas tree centerpiece on top. Two upholstered chairs were pulled out from the table, waiting for occupants.
Decorator magazine perfect.
Kat forced herself not to touch anything in case her hands were dirty. She was so tired she might break something. “It’s lovely.” She could add twenty-five adjectives that were more glowing, and that wouldn’t be enough to describe the beauty of the room.
Liv motioned to a doorway on the right side. “Theen-suitehas towels as well as a robe for your use. If you need anything during your stay, please let me know.”
Kat continued to look around the room. “I will.”
“Would you like me to draw a bath for you?”
“No, thanks.” Kat needed to stand if she wanted to remain awake. “I’m going to take a quick shower if that’s okay?”
