The stables were big, as were the guard barracks, kitchens, and gardens. Even the chapel was big. The castle keep was huge, three stories high, built in a square around a courtyard. A round tower marked each corner, and the top was lined with battlements. In the northeast corner of the stone-paved courtyard, a deep well provided water.
Beneath the castle, the wine cellars were as large as caverns. Long, dark catacombs housed the bones of those who had died at Vindemar for the past sixty years.
Luciana and her father had arrived the day before, and so far, so good. No one seemed to doubt her identity.
She’d supped with her father in the Great Hall at the high table set on a dais at one end. The only mishap that had occurred was when a servant had placed a platter of food on the table in front of her, and she’d said, “Thank you.” The poor servant had been so shocked, he’d tripped and fallen off the dais, landing facedown in a soup tureen another servant was carrying. Everyone had been too busy laughing to even question the Lady of Vindalyn’s sudden attack of manners.
She’d also made a new friend at dinner. A shaggy black-and-white dog had crept up onto the dais to sit by her feet. She’d thought him adorable with his cute grin, striking blue eyes, and black patch over his left eye. That’s when she’d decided to name him Pirate. She’d slipped him a pork chop under the table, and ever since then he’d followed her around. He’d even curled up outside her bedchamber door last night to sleep.
An envoy from the Lord Protector had arrived shortly before dinner, and he’d been invited to sup with them. After eating heartily, the envoy, Captain Harden, had requested a private meeting with the Duke of Vindalyn. Her father didn’t tell her what was discussed, but he’d immediately posted a guard outside her bedchamber door. And he’d warned her that the Lord Protector and his army were on their way.
Now it was the next day, and she woke in her sister’s bedchamber. Just like everything else at Vindemar, the room was big. Well furnished, also, with a round table and two upholstered armchairs in front of a wide fireplace.
She sat up in bed and peered at the large windows. Good goddesses, the sun was already high in the sky. It must be nearly noon. She’d been too nervous to sleep her last night at the convent or on the boat journey, so her state of exhaustion had finally caught up with her.
“So, did you enjoy my bed?” Tatiana grumbled.
Luciana shifted her gaze to the foot of the bed where her sister’s ghost was hovering. “It’s very comfortable. I’ve never slept so late in my life.”
Tatiana scoffed. “Well, that’s the first smart thing I’ve seen you do. You should always sleep late if you want to convince everyone you’re me.”
Luciana smiled. Perhaps her sister was going to start being helpful. “Did you sleep well, too?”
Tatiana sighed. “I don’t seem to need sleep anymore. But I do miss my pretty bed.” She reached out to touch the embroidered blue brocade coverlet, but her hand passed through it. “I hate it when that happens!”
“I’m sorry. Wait just a minute, and I’ll be right back.” Luciana hurried to the adjoining dressing room to relieve herself, then brought back a gray linen gown to change into. “I told Father you’ve forgiven him—”
“That’s not true! I’m still angry.”
“And he still loves you.” Luciana dropped the gown on the bed.
Tatiana huffed. “You picked the ugliest gown I own. I haven’t worn that in years. You might as well make a public proclamation that you’re not me.”
“Then help me,” Luciana said as she quickly braided her hair. “Tell me what you used to do every day. Did you sew your pretty gowns? Work in the rose garden?”
“That’s what servants are for.” Tatiana rolled her eyes. “You’re such a peasant.”
“Then tell me, please.”
“All right.” Tatiana smirked. “I would start every day with a long bath. And my maid, Gabriella, would add things to the water. Rose petals. Lavender. I liked to mix it up, always something different every day to make it exciting.”
Luciana groaned to herself. “And then?”
“I had to wait for my hair to dry and for Gabriella to arrange it. And then I had to choose which gown to—”
The door flew open and Gabriella ran inside. “My lady! The army has been spotted. The Lord Protector will be here within the hour!”
Luciana gasped. Her betrothed was arriving today?
“The Beast is coming!” Tatiana’s eyes widened as she regarded her sister. “Oh, your days are numbered now.”
A wave of light-headedness struck Luciana. Goddesses help me! Her knees gave out and she plopped onto the bed.
“I’ve ordered some hot water for your bath.” Gabriella dashed into the dressing room. “You’ll need to wear one of your finest gowns. Maybe the emerald-green velvet.”
“Good choice!” Tatiana floated behind her.
While servants rushed about readying her bath, Luciana attempted to calm her racing heart. Perhaps it wouldn’t be as bad as she feared. After all, the Telling Stones had predicted she would meet a tall and handsome stranger in two weeks, and now that she thought about it, she realized that this was the fourteenth day. But that is only a game, she chided herself. This was real life, and there were real reasons why her betrothed was called a Beast.
But hadn’t she always dreamed of meeting a tall and handsome man who would be her true love?