Page 35 of The Royal Governess
“Sorry, but Nonna wants to come,” Gregorio explained. “She doesn’t like to stay up late so the movie will be in the afternoon.”
“I’ll pull on some clothes.” I hid a yawn behind one hand.
“His Majesty is looking forward to seeing the Gatsby movie.” Gregorio smiled. Was he pleased that his father was taking an interest?
“His Majesty? You call your own father that?” Lexi's voice held more than a little sarcasm. Maybe the horrified expression on my face tipped her off. We played by the rules of the house. Well, in this case, the castle.
“Sorry, sorry,” Lexi said quickly.
Gregorio’s shoulders eased. At least she was smart enough to know that she shouldn't bite the hand that fed her. Of everyone here, Gregorio had been the most welcoming.
“Give me a minute.” I started to close the door.
“We can wait in my room.” Lexi turned.
I pointed to a bench in the hallway. “How about over there.”
Gregorio got the message and sat down with a little smile. Giving me The Look, Lexi followed.
“I’ll be right back.” I closed the door, irritated because I hated to be late. As a teacher, I worked on a schedule and I expected the same from my students.
My hair was damp, so I twined it into a loose braid in the back. Pulling on my beige slacks, I topped them with a soft pink shell and grabbed a navy sweater on my way out the door.
Minutes later and after a trek down semi-dark halls, I sank into one of the blue leather recliners. Back home we had stadium seating in the movie theaters, and it wasn’t unusual to feel popcorn beneath your feet. This theater had blue and gray oriental runners in front of the three short rows of seats. An enormous screen had been lowered from the ceiling. I could feel a neck ache coming on. Now, how could I recline this seat?
“Let me help you, Profesora.” In a second, Gregorio was at my side. I nodded to Ama across the narrow aisle. Lexi figured it out by herself. Soon she was draped over the recliner as if she were sunbathing in our yard back home.
Gregorio flipped a lever and my chair slid back. “Thank you.” This felt great.
With a sweet nod he went back to his grandmother. Looking around, I tried to count the seats. Maybe Marco brought groups of friends here. I hadn’t noticed any movie theaters in the small village.
The door opened and Marco arrived, bringing a breath of fresh air with him. He must have been riding. With his hair tousled and his linen shirt creased, the man gave disheveled a whole new vibe. His clapping hands echoed in the theater as he met my eyes. “So, we will watch thisGreat Gatsbymovie. And then over dinner, we could discuss, no?”
No!I want to shout to the vaulted ceiling. But I couldn’t. And was this so bad, being forced to watch Leonardo DiCaprio on the broad screen? After Marco had taken his seat next to his mother, the room darkened and the movie began.
“Oh, man, this theater is so cool,” Lexi murmured. “My friends would be so jealous.”
“Absolutely no pictures,” I reminded her.
With a sigh, she settled back.
Although I’d loved Leonardo DiCaprio in the role of Gatsby, Robert Redford played Gatsby as more vulnerable. Wasn’t that the charm of the tycoon who’d worked hard to win the hand of an upper-class woman beyond his reach?
A covert glance or two told me that the royal family was entranced by the movie, although Ama’s lips curled during some of the scenes. All of the giddy splendor of the roaring twenties played out on the screen. But I’d seen this movie before. My mind wandered. Although I never thought I’d miss cooking my own meals, I did. Or maybe what I really missed was the freedom to cook or order a pizza, if I liked.
But who was I to complain because someone else was doing all the cooking? This blue leather was oh, so comfortable. I settled back.
The next thing I knew, Lexi was shaking me. “Mom, wake up. The movie’s over.”
When I struggled to sit up, the recliner came upright with a snap. Had I been dreaming? Marco had been in my dreams but I couldn’t recall how. I darted my eyes across the aisle where he was having an animated conversation with his mother.
“I’m starving,” Lexi said, hopping to her feet.
Getting up, I combed my fingers through my hair and wiped off my cheek, flushing when the skin felt damp. Had my mouth been open?
“And now, dinner.” Marco was already heading toward the door. I dragged my feet. These flats had never felt so heavy. Tonight I would have been thrilled to have a meal delivered to my room. But that wouldn’t be allowed. I hoped Marco didn’t expect me to lead a discussion. Eyes averted, Ama seemed to feel the same lack of enthusiasm.
While Marco, Ama and Gregorio took the elevator, Lexi and I headed for the stairs. “Hang onto that leather strap.”
