Luke’s eyebrows lifted toward his hairline. “You are taking their side?”
“No-o-o, not exactly,” I uttered. “But I saw how your mother was making an effort before I screwed up. I think you should give them a chance to talk to you in private.”
“You were not the one to cause offense tonight,” Luke growled. “First, they provided no food despite knowing your status as a non-vampire. And then their reaction to you was an abomination.”
My stomach growled again in solidarity with the no food comment. Enzo frowned at my discomfort. “I will be sure to have somebody send a meal to your room as soon as I finish here. That is an egregious oversight, and I take full responsibility for it.”
“No, you shall not,” countered Luke. “That is one of many offenses for which my parents owe both of us an apology. And if talking to them now will move us forward, then perhaps confronting both of them would be prudent.”
“I believe that would be the best course of action for now, Master Luca,” Enzo agreed. “If you were to attend to them in their quarters, I will make sure Miss Ruby is escorted back to her room.” He rushed off to find some help.
Luke cupped my cheek with his hand. “Will you be okay?”
I leaned into his touch. “Will you?”
He sighed, his thumb caressing my skin. “Despite what happened tonight, they are my only family. And there are things to be said. Bridges to be mended on both sides.”
“You sound very wise for your old age,” I teased, wanting to ease his tension.
Luke took a step closer and kissed my forehead. “No, I’ve just learned a lot being with you and your family.”
My heart warmed, and I wrapped my arms around him. “You know, they consider you a part of us, too.”
“I know.” He planted a kiss on my forehead. “It is my desire to have the kind of relationship with my parents that you do with your family that spurs me on right now.”
Enzo returned with a young man in tow. He gave instructions in rapid Italian and then turned to me. “Gino will escort you to your quarters, and I have arranged for some food to be brought there.”
“Thank you, sir,” I replied.
Luke let me go with reluctance. “I will come see you after I am finished.” He joined Enzo to go to his parents’ room. Turning and walking backwards, he held up a finger of warning. “Don’t go wandering around on your own.”
I pointed at my chest. “Does that sound like something I’d do?”
He chuckled. “Absolutely.”
“Good luck.” I waved goodbye at him and followed the timid young man Enzo had brought to me through the confusing corridors.
The staff member opened the door to the one room I recognized, and I entered with relief. Before I could thank him, he disappeared. The heavy wood closed with a slight clunk, and I was left alone in the silence of the strange room.
Holding onto the edge of the decorative dresser, I balanced while taking off the high heels. With a groan of relief, I flexed my toes on the thick oriental carpet under my feet.
Taking off the borrowed earrings, I reflected on the night. Nothing had gone the way I’d hoped, and it hurt to think about how I’d messed up my first impressions with my potential in-laws. I set Lady Eveline’s diamonds on the surface of the dresser and picked up the elephant token. I slipped the chain over my head, happy to have a piece of my family with me again.
“Hey, Granny,” I crooned in a quiet voice. “You may not believe this, but I missed you so much.” My fingers stroked the surface of the metal, and I grinned when it heated to my touch.
Heaving a sigh of relief, I winced as the tightness of the corset cut into my sides. I struggled and contorted my arms to reach the ties to release me from my bondage with no luck. I would need to be careful to wear clothes that didn’t require help to put on or take off in the near future.
A heavy knock on the door startled me, and I stopped my focused fidgeting to answer. A different young man entered the room carrying a tray. The plates and utensils rattled as he walked over to a small table by one of the windows. Setting it down, he removed the silver covers to reveal two small plates of food.
“Thank you,” I gushed, my mouth watering before I even sat down to take a bite.
At the last second, I remembered my dress predicament and turned to ask for some help but found myself alone again. After everything that had happened, I wanted nothing more than to get out of the confining outfit, change into comfy clothes that I’d brought with me, and hunker down for the rest of the night.
I rushed over to pull open the recently closed door. “Excuse me, but I could use some help,” I said as I entered the empty hallway. Even though the food deliverer had just left my room, there was nobody in sight no matter which way I turned.
“Dang blast it!” I cursed loud enough for my words to bounce off the walls.
Covering my mouth, I moved forward, hoping to find someone to give me a little assistance. If I could communicate enough for them to untie the corset, I could figure out a way to loosen it enough to get it off.
My bare feet plodded over the long, carpeted runner lining the floor of the corridor. Although I worried I might get lost, I heard enough noise up ahead that I hoped I’d find the source eventually. Reaching a crossroads of corridors, I strutted into the middle and glanced down each one, straining to hear anything that would give me a clue as
