Page 41 of Dark Shaman: Love Found
"Of course, my lady. I will let the lord know that you will see him in a few moments." The servant bowed and walked away.
Did the guard who had approached her at the lookout point see anything? Or was this merely a coincidence?
Navuh usually didn't request her presence during the day, but then this was the first time they had actually been under the same roof during daytime hours, so things were different here.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Tula asked quietly.
"Why would I?" Areana cast her a bright, fake smile that was just a little bit haughty. "Perhaps my husband wants to dinewith me privately. I should go up and make myself presentable."
Navuh would have approved of her performance. To anyone who didn't know her or Tula, the exchange hinted at Areana's jealousy and possessiveness over her mate.
As she climbed the stairs, she considered stashing the communicator somewhere safe, but on second thought, it was safest on her body. She had no doubt that the servants went through her things while she was away from her room.
13
TAMIRA
The pillowcases full of clothes were whisked away by efficient servants, leaving them empty-handed in the foyer. The house was delightfully cool and dry after the oppressive heat and humidity of the outdoors, but at the same time stifling after the morning's taste of freedom.
"I guess we are staying for lunch," Elias said after Areana had gone up the stairs.
"It would seem so." Tula cast Tony a meaningful look. "I need to freshen up, but I won't be long. Will you two be waiting for us in the sitting room?"
Tony nodded. "Where else? I don't think the lord wants us to wait outside. At least I hope he doesn't."
The butler turned to the men. "The gentlemen can wait in the sitting room and help themselves to the bar while the ladies get ready for lunch."
"Thank you." Elias dipped his head. "That's much appreciated."
"I should change," Tamira said, glancing down at her dress, which showed signs of their morning excursion. The fabric was clinging to her sweaty body, and its condition was far from pristine.
"We all should," Liliat agreed.
Tamira cast one last look at Elias before he and Tony had to follow the butler to the sitting room and start up the stairs.
There had to be a way to steal some time alone with Elias. The gazebo had been wonderful, but too brief and not private. They had barely dared to hold hands. The harem wouldn't be habitable for weeks, and she couldn't bear the thought of waiting so long to touch him.
After the quickest of showers, she pulled one of her beautiful gowns out of a pillowcase, but it was so wrinkled that she couldn't wear it to lunch. Instead, she opened the wardrobe and chose one of those contemporary linen dresses that were supposed to keep her cool in the heat but didn't.
Why did it seem like everything old was better than new?
Like this house, which had been converted from a beautiful and warm Italian-style villa to a cold and stark modern art museum—surely there was a way to bridge the divide and create a modern style that was warm.
Areana's words from breakfast about the stored treasures in the basement echoed in Tamira's mind. The remnants of thehouse's previous incarnation were stashed there, and Areana had gotten permission from Navuh to sift through the boxes and redecorate as she pleased.
It was perfect.
The perfect excuse to go somewhere private and secluded and bring Elias with her.
The sitting room doors stood partially open, revealing Elias and Tony conversing with the butler, who had apparently been assigned to entertain them. Either that or they thought to pump him for information, which would be futile.
The man couldn't share anything useful even if he wanted to.
"Excuse me," she said from the doorway. "Elias, may I have a word?"
The butler's eyes narrowed slightly, but Elias rose smoothly. "Of course, Lady Tamira."
She led him a few steps down the hallway, still within sight but hopefully out of earshot. "Remember what Lady Areana said about the former decor of the mansion that is stored in the basement?"
