章節 23: Chapter 23

Paige walked into the expansive suite and went straight to the bathroom. She stripped and got in the shower. After she quickly showered, she toweled off and put on one of the fluffy white robes that were arranged by the towels. She was drying her hair when she heard a knock at the door. She quickly got up and went to open it, thinking it was Nathaniel but there were 3 people there. One woman had something that looked like luggage and the other two were dressed in the baby blue business dress that Nathaniel's maids wore and carried packages and clothes.

"I'm here to do your makeup," the woman with the roller luggage said.

"Oh, come in," Paige said in shock, moving aside. She thought that she'd be given a t shirt and sweatpants or something from Nathaniel's closet. The maids were arranging outfits on the bed for her. There were several dresses and various sizes of those dresses. The same went for shoes and undergarments.

"Miss Everett, please chose what you would like to wear. Master Donovan stated to please ensure that we had a variety of choices prepared for you," one of the maids said.

"Thank you so much for doing this, but you didn't have to go through so much trouble! What are your names?" Paige said, still shocked.

"Miss, I am Maude and this is Beverly. We are happy to serve you," Maude said timidly. She had blue eyes and blonde hair. Beverly had red hair and blue eyes as well their features were very similar and they were both very pretty.

"Are you sisters?" Paige asked, curious about the two maids. They looked at each other in shock.

"Miss Everett, we are cousins," Beverley said hesitantly.

"I didn't mean to pry. Please just tell me it's none of my business next time," Paige said with a laugh. "Also, just call me 'Paige'." The maids looked at each other in disbelief.

"Miss Everett, we wouldn't dream of saying anything like that to you," Maude quickly replied.

"Yes, miss, we apologize, we've just never been asked that before by a guest or member of Nathaniel's household," Beverly added.

"Oh, I like to get to know people, especially those that help me. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable You've brought such good choices!" Paige said, changing the subject and eyeing the outfits. She didn't want to fight them on this.

"We are happy it pleases you, miss," Maude replied.

Paige looked over all the dresses and chose a white lace dress and white flats. She selected some undergarments as well. The maids looked at what she had chosen and Maude wrote something down.

"Miss, would you also like a sweater? It is a little cold outside," Beverly suggested.

"I would. Thank you," Paige said with a smile. She selected a beige sweater that was the length of the dress. Maude wrote something else down and she and Beverly left the selected outfit on the bed.

"We'll leave this here while Bridget does your makeup," Beverly said. Paige turned to look at the bathroom and saw Bridget there with her makeup assembled.

"Hi, I'm Bridget, nice to meet you. What are we doing today?" she said.

"Hi, I'm Paige. I think just very light makeup," Paige said shyly.

"Of course, let's get started," she said. Bridget quickly applied Paige's makeup, which was natural looking and enhanced Paige's features.

"Thank you, Bridget, it looks great," Paige said happily.

"You're welcome, Paige," Bridget replied, cleaning up her supplies.

Paige went to the bed as Bridget walked out and changed. She opened the door to see Nathaniel waiting. He was wearing a white button up and beige pants with some brown loafers.

"We match!" Paige said with a laugh.

"This was on purpose," Nathaniel said with a smile, grasping her hand. He escorted her to his garden where his mother was waiting for them. The garden was lovely, but no flowers were currently blooming due to the cold weather. There was lots of stone work and statues on the terrace where the table was located.

"There you are! I was worried you two got caught up," she said with a knowing laugh.

"Sorry, Mrs. Donovan," Paige said shyly. Her cheeks were turning red.

"Mother, we just started seeing each other," Nathaniel said exasperatedly.

"Well, I know what it's like to be young and in love. I mean, you were born 6 months after your father and I got married, Nathaniel," Mrs. Donovan said, waiting for the butler to hills her chair so she could sit. Paige and Nathaniel did the same. Nathaniel was dying inside with his mother's mention of her sex life, but he was more worried about Paige.

"Paige, do I know your family? Arthur tells me your surname is 'Everett'?" Mrs. Donovan asked.

"Mother, Paige doesn't speak with her family. Let's leave it at that," Nathaniel said firmly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, dear. Can anything be done to repair the relationship?" Mrs. Donovan asked.

"Mother, I said to leave it alone," Nathaniel said, starting to get irritated. He loved his mother but he didn't want Paige to be interrogated. He was instantly calmed when Paige's hand reached his and gave it a squeeze.

"It's alright, Nathan, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you this first. It's hard to talk about. I left home when I turned 18 because my family was abusive. I don't want to get into specific details, but there's no repairing the relationship," she said in a meek voice, slightly trembling.

"Oh, Paige, I'm sorry, dear," Mrs. Donovan said, getting up from her chair and going over to Paige and squeezing her in a hug. "I won't pry anymore. You're a very brave and beautiful girl and it's their loss. We're your family now."

Mrs. Donovan let go of her and went back to her seat. Nathaniel took her hand and kissed it, causing Paige to look at him. His expression was gravely serious.

"Nathan, please don't be mad at me," she whispered. His expression instantly softened.

"Paige, baby, I could never be mad at you for taking your own time to tell me something. I'm sorry if my expression changed, I was thinking about what you said and the thought of someone hurting you makes me infuriated, to put it lightly," he said into the sweetest voice he could muster. He was sincere in his words except he felt homicidal. The thought of anyone harming Paige, especially her family, made his blood boil.

"Arthur, I'm famished. Please serve the first course," Mrs. Donovan said.

A salad was presented to them, and it was beautifully arranged. There were pears, beets and blue cheese with some winter greens underneath. The dressing was on the side. Paige added a little dressing and then picked up her salad fork and speared a small bite. She placed it in her mouth and was delighted by the taste. After finishing her mouthful, she spoke.

"These pears are delicious. May I ask what kind they are?"

"They're Duchess pears, dear. Nathaniel grows them," Mrs. Donovan replied.

"Well, the gardener grows them. I just selected the trees," Nathaniel said sweetly.

"Did you invite her to dinner, Nate?" Mrs. Donovan asked.

"I thought it might be too much too soon. Perhaps next week," Nathaniel replied.

"Paige, if you want to come to our family dinners on Sunday, you are welcome. Don't listen to this knucklehead," she chuckled.

"Oh, um, I have some plans tonight, but maybe next week," Paige said softly.

"Of course, dear. Nathaniel, maybe you could go with Paige instead, and convince her to come next week?"

"I wouldn't want to break up your dinner party. I'll come next week," Paige stated.

"I'll hold you to that," Nathaniel said with a grin.

They finished their meal and continued chatting. Mrs. Donovan asked her questions about work and education, which Paige replied with enthusiasm. After their lunch, Paige told them she needed to get going. Nathaniel walked her to the front door where a maid was waiting with her gym bag.

"I'll text you," he said, pulling her into his arms. She gave him a peck on the lips, which he deepened. He reluctantly pulled away before he lost himself in her kiss. Paige got in the car and he watched it drive away.

Nathaniel walked inside and his mother was waiting for him.

"Well, she's very pretty, Nate," Mrs. Donovan said, walking into the parlor. Nathaniel followed.

"She's just pretty, mother?" he questioned.

"She's guarded. She gave an explanation for it, but you need to talk about her past before you marry her," she said. She sat down on a sofa and made herself comfortable.

"Mother, I haven't taken her out on a real date yet, I don't know about marriage," he said.

"She's very intelligent, she's charitable, compassionate and she obviously makes you happy. I think her family was wealthy, or at least upper middle class. She knows table etiquette too well. She'll fit in to your world," she said.

"How does that relate to marriage?" Nathaniel replied.

"I can see how hard you've fallen for her. You're at least giving it some thought, if I'm not mistaken."

"I have never felt like this about anybody before, I will admit that, and I feel like it could blossom into love. I have thought, vaguely, mind you, about our future together and I could see myself with her," Nathaniel stated nonchalantly.

"Son, I know you better than anybody. You are in love. I have no doubt that you will eventually ask her to marry you. I'm happy for you, but you need to remember something," she said, pausing.

"What's that, mother?" Nathaniel asked.

"Love is either salvation or damnation. Make sure you know which one you are getting into," she said pointedly.