Page 31 of A Touch of Charm
She had to, but it seemed impossible. She’d run away from her life and duties as a princess, but she was still a princess at heart, whether in her elegant gown at Bran Castle or not.
“You have a nice family,” the coachman said, turned, and climbed back onto the driver’s seat.
The second man who’d thought Andre and Thea were a family with Mary as their child.
“You look perfect together,” he added.
With a final nod, the coachman guided the carriage away, leaving Thea, Andre, and Mary standing slack-jawed before the imposing front doors of Cloverdale House. Before Thea could say anything, the doors swung open with a creak, revealing a grand hall that seemed to pulse with history and elegance.
Andre offered his arm and escorted her inside.
“I need to tell you that we didn’t think the rehabilitation center would be open for a while, but since we had three new patients who needed to be admitted, we made do,” Andre explained as they walked down the giant white marble steps to the double-winged front door.
“Did you operate on them?” Mary asked.
Andre chuckled. “I can’t tell you, I keep my patients’ confidentiality.” He winked at her.
“So there’s another surgeon?” Thea asked.
“You mean, Dr. Philip Rosen? He works across the street from us, at 91 Harley Street but comes here, too. That’s all I can say.”
With these words, the door clicked shut behind them, and a young woman with a full head of curly black hair and a white apron appeared.
“Andre, there you are!” Her smile was infectious as she greeted Thea kindly and immediately told Mary the cook had just taken fresh honey buns out of the oven.
“That way, the fourth door is on the left. Tell her that Shira sent you.”
Mary darted off without another look at Thea.
“Mary!” Thea called, but Andre chuckled merrily.
“This is Nurse Shira Rosen, Dr. Philip Rosen’s wife.” Andre turned to Thea, but she hesitated. “You can tell her, if Mary knows, the secret’s out, and yet it will be safe among us.”
“I already heard, Your Royal Highness. It’s an honor to meet you and your secret is as safe with me as a diagnosis.” Shira took a deep bow.
“See? Confidentiality,” Andre said with a satisfied smile.
After Shira assured them that the house staff had prepared the rooms for Thea and Mary and another for Stan, she left to look after Mary in the kitchen.
Again, Thea and Andre were alone, this time at the elegant entrance of a lavish London estate. The grand hall was lovely, even for someone like Thea. Its walls were adorned with intricate moldings and paintings depicting pastoral scenes and noble ancestors. A grand staircase with a carved oak balustrade swept upward to the upper floors, promising more rooms filled with riches.
Andre’s touch on her arm brought her back to the present. He was looking at her with a mixture of concern and encouragement.
“Are you quite well?” Andre asked softly.
Thea nodded, though her emotions swirled within her. “Yes, I think so.”
“Would you like a tour?”
“I’d love one.”
“I won’t leave you alone.”
His words were a balm to her soul. Thea took another deep breath, this one steadier, and allowed herself to take in the beauty of Cloverdale House.
As the golden light of the setting sun filtered through the grand hall, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors and ornate furnishings, a sudden disturbance shattered the tranquil atmosphere. The sound of clanking porcelain preceded the raised voices, growing louder with each passing second.
Thea and Andre exchanged concerned glances. The tension in the air was palpable.
