Page 37 of Hush, Hush

Cameron shields his eyes from the bright rays and points the opposite way the boat takes us. “My dad bought a house down there a couple of years ago. It’s fun to come here, but it’s not all that exciting. I bet the yearly Devil’s Night party at the Knights Castle is the only thing to liven the area up.”

The “house” that he’s talking about probably boasts more than ten bedrooms and has more finery than most people can imagine. My great grandfather owned a house on the St. Lawrence until my grandfather sold it. My father, who had great memories of visiting the place when he was a child, had always wanted to purchase it back, but the current people who own it aren’t selling.

As we motor down the river, the captain points out different islands and the structures that stand on it. There’s a reason why this place is called the Thousand Islands region. Islands of all shapes and sizes dot the river, some as small as to only boast a one-room house with front steps that lead down into the water. For the bigger places, his list is a who’s who of rich families as he spouts their names. Most of the guys aren’t paying attention, but I watch as he deftly maneuvers the vessel around the river like a pro and narrates. When he turns toward me, his hat has an insignia on it for a local boat tour company.

“What can you tell me about the place you’re taking us to?” I ask. I don’t say anything about the Knights, of course, but I’m interested in what other people think the place is.

He looks down his nose at me. “I know once a year a bunch of stuffy, rich-looking people like yourselves need someone to captain their asses down the river, so I do.”

His gruff response makes me press my lips together, so I don’t laugh. He’s hit the nail on the head, actually. And, if he does this every year, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re paying him for his secrecy.

Keegan drops his arm around my shoulders and cuddles closer. “You’re making friends everywhere, Dee.”

“I guess it’s my charm.”

The captain continues his monotone explanation of houses and backstories. It’s clear he doesn’t care if we listen or not. He could even be spouting facts off on autopilot. I’m sure a tour wasn’t necessarily in the agreement we have with him.

Minutes later, Keegan squeezes my arm and juts his chin toward the aft side of the boat. I peer over, watching in awe as a legit castle moves into view. From our position in the water, I spot a formidable wall rising into the air, a boat house that’s big enough for three covered slips, and a small turret. The island it sits on is large. Half of it filled with trees and uninhabited, but the other boasts beautiful, manicured grounds. “Wow.”

“Yeah, it’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I don’t have any words as we get close enough to really pick out the structure’s details. Weathered, dark gray stones make up the exterior. A red, shingle roof accents the many different roof lines. Six stories tall, some of the castle’s levels are sunk into the hillside while others rise above it. It’s as if the island grew around the castle instead of vice versa.

The captain docks the boat and a bevy of servants surround us to take our things. Dressed smartly in crisp red, bellhop appropriate uniforms, they tell us our room’s location as we give them our names. I’m positively enamored with the whole process. Here, I’ve stepped back into the early 1900’s. I wish I’d chosen a different dress to wear tonight. Maybe something with a corset and a big skirt to complete the ambiance surrounding me.

We follow the servants up the curving stone walk. Ahead of us, the entrance is understated and in complete contrast to the luxury around us. The wooden door is intricate enough, but it’s small compared to the grandiosity of the rest of the structure.

Stone floors greet us in the small foyer. Furniture and decoration are everywhere. A legit suit of armor stands against one wall. To the left, a sign next to an open staircase states the Wine Cellar is downstairs.

Quickly moving past, we step up into an enormous room that throws me back in time even more. Huge, dark cherry furniture, beautiful glass chandeliers, and wood floors are polished like new. A grand staircase slopes upward directly in front of us, and a man with a tuxedo waits on the bottom step to announce that our rooms are upstairs if we’d like to get settled. He then introduces himself as the castle butler who would be happy to take care of any of our needs during our stay.

Keegan threads his fingers through mine, and I look to the right and left as we make our way toward the stairs. Everywhere I look, workers are busying themselves with cleaning and decorating. Mrs. Dupont, a wisp thin woman with a severe ponytail, points bodies in each direction as she spouts orders. I grin at Keegan. “This is going to be fun.”

His eyes hood. “I’m happy to hear you say that.”

A stay in this place alone will be worth the price I’ll have to pay to put up with the no-holds-barred, dreams-come-true scenario we’re setting up for the Knight elders and our guests. No mischief needed, but I’m sure there will be some. There always is when you get a bunch of high-powered, money-wielding men in a room together.

We traipse up three flights of stairs to find a grand hall lined with bedrooms. Names hang outside each one, so it’s easy to pick our assigned bedroom. Luckily, Keegan and I are right next to each other, but we won’t be needing separate rooms.

He follows me past the doorway that has my name on it. The room widens into a huge space, complete with a four-poster bed and intricate box seats in front of the windows. The only other door in the room leads to an immaculate en suite. Turning around in the space to take it all in, I spot huge, deep cherry wardrobes flanking the door to the hallway. I pull on the antique knobs to find empty hangers and an iron with ironing board.

“I think I can get used to this,” Keegan says, looking upward at the high ceilings.

I follow his gaze. No detail was spared. “I have a new goal,” I tell him.

“Castle?”

“Mm-hmm. It’s a fairytale.”

He grins. “We’ll just have to make that happen then.” Moving closer, he slides his arm around my back, pulling me against him. “What do you say? Chateau Forbes?”

My lips tease into a smile. “Astor has a better ring to it, but I’ll take what I can get.”

He snickers, playfully pinching my skin. “Fine. How about Astor Castle on Forbes Island?”

I turn into him and press up onto my toes to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before whispering, “I think you may have something there.”

“I think I’ll like having you on top of me for all of time. You, the castle. Me, the island.”

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