Page 174 of Juliet & Her Romeos

I grin, pushing open the door.

Then I edge slowly inside.

My eyes widen in wonder.

Sun streams through the floor to ceiling windows that line the grand ballroom.

The ceiling is so high that I have to lean back to see it.

I had no idea that this mansion had a ballroom.

In a trance, I wander further into the room, spinning around to see the stars that are painted across the black ceiling. A spherical chandelier hangs amongst them like the moon.

I smile, holding my arms out wide in joy. I glide as if over a shining lake over the waxed floor.

Then I notice the ballet barre, which is fixed in front of gleaming mirrors at the far end of the room.

I still in shock.

The barre looks new.

Did Ambrose put it in for Swan and me?

Suddenly, I glimpse movement from the other side of the room.

Is someone in here?

Startled, I turn to a white grand piano.

The lid and music stand are intricate and ornate like they belong in fairy land. All at once, I can imagine Benedict sitting behind it, weaving his elegant fingers over its keys, caught in the music’s spell.

I edge around the piano, peering over its lid.

Ambrose is on his knees beside a bucket.

A smudge of dust is smeared over his scarred cheek.

He’s only dressed in trousers and rolled up shirt sleeves. He’s taken off his jacket and tie, which are neatly folded beside him.

Ambrose’s hair is sweaty, and his shirt is damp. He’s clutching a waxing cloth.

He looks as startled to see me like this, as I am to see him.

“I forgot to lock the door,” Ambrose says, as if this explains everything.

I stare at him. “You’re cleaning.”

Now I can see him more clearly, it’s obvious that he’s more exhausted than I am.

Ambrose wipes the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. “Alphas are capable of it.”

I know that. I’ve just never seen it with my own eyes.

Ambrose is a billionaire.

A CEO.

Heir to ballet academies across the globe.

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