Page 39 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“Why did you bring me here when you knew I would discover your identity?” she asked.

“Initially, I wanted to bring you here because I knew you would be safe from Malvina. But then we decided to rescue Ingrid and things changed. If we’re to trek up the mountains, we need provisions. This was the only place I could think to get those provisions. Plus, we can take horses and not go on foot.” He took another tentative step toward her, closing the gap between them. “Can you forgive me for not telling you the whole truth?”

“Is your name really Nicholas?” she asked, her eyes narrowed to slits.

He chuckled. “Yes, it is.”

She took a deep breath, expelled it. “Then I suppose I can.”

He held his hand out to her once more. “Come. Let’s get something to eat and we’ll form a plan to save Ingrid.”

Her stomach rumbled again as if it heard him mention food. She placed her hand in his and together, they headed up the curved staircase to his chamber.

Chapter 14

Astheyclimbedthestairs, it truly sunk in they were headed tohis chamber. She should have said no. She should have resisted. But the thought of someplace warm with warm food was much too appealing to turn down. And the way he held her hand and led her up the stairs with such care and concern gave her the heart squeeze.

At the top of the stairs, he turned left and headed down a long corridor with a soaring arched ceiling. There were guards stationed every few feet standing at rigid attention with their swords at their sides and their heads held high. As they passed, she tried to get a glimpse of them to see if they noticed them walking by, but none of them seemed to pay them any mind.

Along the walls, were more oil paintings. Some were likely family portraits of kings and queens of the past. Others were of lush green landscapes that seemed out of place with a winter wonderland outside.

They halted at a door on the left, which he pushed open and then stepped aside to allow her to enter.

This was more than a bed chamber. This was a suite. He had a sitting area with an oversized fireplace, the flickering flames jumping high into the chimney. Two sofas faced each other in front of the fireplace with a table in between. A plush garnet rug covered the stone floor. Candelabras were placed in every corner with every candle lit to illuminate the room in a bright, happy glow.

Bookshelves lined one wall. They were crammed full of books from top to bottom. Off the small living area was a round table with four chairs. A silver tea service sat in the middle and she fervently hoped there was hot tea inside. A closed door led to what she assumed was his bed chamber.

Nicholas stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He glanced around the large room. “I see they’ve already made some preparations.”

He glanced around from the roaring fire to the lit candelabras. Even his private chamber was decked out in holiday decorations. A small tree perched in a corner adorned with twinkling lights flashing in a cheerful pattern. The mantle hosted greenery like the one in the great hall. A beautiful centerpiece with a hurricane glass hosted a flickering candle surrounded by green garland and sprigs of holly.

“You live here?” she asked, her voice more timid than she would have liked.

“I do. Can I take your cloak?” he asked.

She shrugged it off and handed it to him. He hung it on a peg near the door. She slid the sack off her shoulder, glad to be free of the weight of it. It had bounced against her hip the entire way, leaving it sore and achy.

He headed over to the table and poured two steaming mugs of tea. “How do you take it?”

“Cream and sugar,” she said.

He added a dollop of cream and a bit of sugar and then brought her the porcelain cup. She smiled as she took it, grateful for the hot beverage.

“Let’s sit by the fire while we wait for dinner.” He motioned to the sofas near the fire.

She followed his lead and took the seat across from him, placing the sack with the slippers on the table and then perching on the edge of the cushion. Her nerves jangled as she took a sip of the tea.

“In the morning, I’ll gather supplies and then we will ride for the mountains,” he said. “The mountain pass up to her stronghold is rather difficult this time of year, so I hope you’re prepared for that.”

“I’ll be ready,” she said, taking another sip. The drink warmed her through, thawing her hands as she held the cup. She tipped her head to one side. “What do you mean by difficult?”

“I mean Malvina’s keep is well guarded. She doesn’t take kindly to visitors.” He took a sip of tea and then placed the cup on the table, eyeing the bag with the shoes. “Are you still determined to go through with this rescue mission?”

She nodded without hesitation. “Yes, I am. We have to get Ingrid away from her. How are we going to get to her?”

“That’s the big question, isn’t it?” He sat back in the cushions and stared into the fire, a thoughtful expression on his face. “There will be no way to get through undetected. She’ll know the moment we enter the pass. Likely, she’ll capture us before we make it to the foot of the mountains.”

Worry gnawed at her. “Then what?”

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