In all of my open-mouthed gaping, I hadn’t even taken in the sight of the largest bed I’d ever seen. Wooden posts stained a dark reddish-brown rose to the ceiling in carved spirals on all four corners. A canopy of thick black velvet hung across with a gold fringe all around its edges.
A mountain of pillows laid on top of a thick comforter. A large emblem of some sort was embroidered into the fabric, and whoever had made the bed took care to position the symbol in the exact middle of the expansive berth.
“You could fit a whole army on that mattress,” I exclaimed, shooting my fiancé a suspicious glance. “You didn’t though, did you?”
My joke achieved my goal, and Luke stopped frowning and gave into his genuine laughter. “No, no army has camped in my bed.”
Three loud knocks on the door echoed throughout the chamber, and I froze in place. Luke’s smile faded, and he stood up a little straighter.
“Enter!” he called out in a formal tone.
The wooden door creaked open, and a man in a fitted suit entered the room. “Master Luca, it is nice to see you back on the premises.” He bowed as he addressed my fiancé.
“Enzo. I would ask how you knew we had arrived, but you’ve always had access to eyes and ears all over the castle.” Luke kept a straight face. “Have you informed my parents yet?”
The newcomer placed his hands behind his back. “I thought you might want a little time to yourself to adjust. After all, it has been a while since you have stepped foot inside these walls.”
The corners of Luke’s mouth twitched, and he burst out into a laugh. With long strides, he closed the distance between him and the man in the suit. “It’s good to see you, old friend.”
They greeted each other as old friends, kissing both cheeks and hugging. A sense of awkward intrusion washed over me, and I tried to hide behind one of the bedposts.
“There is no use trying to hide from Enzo.” Luke gestured for me to reveal myself. “He truly does know and see all.”
Although I had encouraged my fiancé to face his past, I didn’t know the best way to deal with my potential future. The token warmed against my skin, clearing away my fear. I pulled up my proverbial big-girl panties and flashed my best smile.
“Hey, how you doin’? I’m Ruby Mae,” I crowed with a little extra oomph in my Southern manners, offering the man my right hand.
He accepted with a firm yet gentle touch, bowing deep until I could see the bald spot shining towards the back of his gray hair. “It is a pleasure to meet you, miss.”
“Enzo has been working with the family for as long as I can remember,” Luke explained, delighted to see me meet an old friend.
I failed at my first attempt of a curtsy, managing a weak wobble in response. “Are you a vampire as well?”
Enzo let go of me and placed his hand behind his back again. “No, miss. But when one of my bloodline is chosen to serve, we are given means to elongate our normal lifespan.”
Something about his explanation triggered a memory. “Oh, Claudio is related to you, isn’t he?”
A beaming smile brightened his aloof expression. “You’ve met my nephew. He is young in his service to the family and still in training. However, I believe he has progressed nicely. I trust he took care of you well on your brief sojourn in Rome?”
“Very,” I said, finding it easy to speak the truth.
“That is extremely good to hear.” He relaxed his rigid stance. “With Master Luca’s return to the home, there will be much to do over the next week or so. My nephew will have many opportunities to prove himself worthy of taking over for me.”
Luke’s smile disappeared. “I was hoping this trip would not be extended for too long. And that we could do away with any unnecessary…chaos.”
Enzo reached out and gripped my fiancé’s shoulder. “My friend, how could you expect otherwise when you have been away for over a century? Not only that, but I have heard that your father intends to make a demand on your life that you will need to prepare for.”
“No!” Luke pulled out of the man’s grip. “I did not come home to be saddled with a responsibility I never wanted.”
“Nonetheless, you will have to face what you have been putting off for so long.” Enzo took a step closer but kept his hands to himself. “Everyone’s choices hold their own consequences.”
Luke looked like he wanted to punch something, but he ran his hand down his face instead. “I know this will not be easy on many levels.” He half-grinned at me. “At least I’ll have you with me at all times.”
Enzo cleared his throat. “Actually, Claudio has been instructed to set Miss Ruby up in a room down the hall. He has already taken her things there.”
“Why can she not stay with me?” my fiancé asked. “I recall a time when my father and mother said nothing when you found the contessa in here.”
Enzo chuckled. “And with nary a stitch of clothing on, if memory serves.”
I cleared my throat, reminding the two men of my presence. Enzo’s eyes widened as if he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“My deepest apologies for breaking protocol, Miss Ruby.” He bowed again.
“Oh, stop kowtowing to me. I’m not anybody special,” I waved him off. “But I’d prefer not to hear about past conquests, especially nekkid ones.”
Luke clicked his tongue. “The contessa was not a conquest. I suspected my sister’s hand in the predicament I found myself in.”
“Isabella always had a wicked sense of humor,” Enzo admitted. His head tilted to the side. “May I ask a question of the two of you?”
Luke gave a curt nod. “You may.”
“Will you be announcing your engagement at tonight’s reception?” he
