The Princess and I

Chapter XXXIII: The Secrets of Arlington Park

Our making out on the beach causes Christina to go to bed early that evening and I follow her example, since Liam is not home yet from showing Eleanor Stuart around London. I read another chapter of Pride and Prejudice, when I realize I am tired as well. So I put Jane Austen's novel away and close my eyes once more in the guestroom of Arlington Park.

I wake up with a start, when someone puts a hand on my lower face to cover my mouth. In a fit of insanity I fear our assailants have returned to finish the job and I scream, although I cannot produce any sound. When sleep leaves my eyes though, I see Christina hovering over me trying to hush me down.

'I beg your pardon, love,' she whispers. 'Perhaps not the best way to wake you. I didn't mean to scare you.'

I push her away irritated and say: 'It's barely been a month since we were attacked. How could you think I would not freak out, when someone in the middle of the night keeps my mouth shut?'

'Yes, I was not thinking clearly.'

'But why did you come here in the middle of the night anyway? It's probably not to scare me to death?'

'I wanted to show you something.'

'Now? I am tired and I guess you are as well after our exertions in Brighton.' I teasingly caress her side, which makes her shiver delightfully.

'Not now, love. Now I want to show you something. Another secret of mine, if you will. Are you ready for another sexy, thrilling adventure?'

Her eyes shine mischievously and suddenly I am really curious. I giggle and put a travelling cloak around my nightgown, since I have noticed she wears one as well. She takes me by the hand afterwards and we walk out of the room. At the door she scans the hall in search of any activity, but there is only dead silence. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I feel the adrenaline of this mysterious adventure running through my veins.

We walk back to her bedroom and I guess that's the end of the line. So, I almost open her door to make myself cosy on her bed, but she halts me. 'Not yet, love,' she whispers naughtily. She pushes me up against the wall and kisses me passionately. I totally lose myself in her kiss and therefore miss what her hands are doing. I only notice something is wrong - or better said amiss – when I feel the wall behind me literally disappear. I lose my balance and would have fallen on my buttocks if Christina had not ended her kiss and held me steadily to her. She chuckles.

'Meet Arlington Park's biggest secret.'

I look scared over my shoulder, where a dark hole has formed itself. I am guessing it is a secret hideout or corridor, of which I cannot see the end. Although our house is big enough, we don't have any secret passageways, so my fear soon gives away to excitement. She laughs softly, encouraged by my enthusiasm and she precedes me into the darkness. She closes the secret panel with a soft click and then we're in complete darkness.

The complete darkness all of a sudden feels too much like the cellar in France, where we were hiding from the evil forces of the common people in total darkness as well. The fear is back again and my breathing rate increases swiftly. Because I am still holding Christina's soft hand I don't lose it completely, but I can't help from sweating and shivering. My fear only increases, when I feel she is about to let go of me.

'Don't leave me,' I squeak. 'Please, don't leave me.'

Her body stiffens as realisation dawns. 'Bloody Hell,' she murmurs as she walks back and puts her arms around me. 'Sorry, love. I did not realize that this would trigger your nightmares again. Steady, love. I am making us some light, then it will not be scary