He Strikes at the Hotel

Chapter Eighteen

Nerissa sat up straight and stared in disbelief at the Duke standing in front of us in our kitchen. I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of annoyance burning inside of me with his arrival. I had just began to feel content, and Nerissa was so happy talking about Pierre, and now she is frozen in anticipation as to what he wants with us. Unfortunately, I am very aware of what he wants, as we had discussed it the evening when we came up with a plan. However, I didn't know when this moment would come, and certainly didn't expect it to be in the middle of a moment like this, let alone coming down to our quarters to find us...

"Most certainly not, sir. What can we do for you this fine day? Is everything okay with your room?" Nerissa spoke cautiously and politely, and I could tell she was still holding in some of her excitement from a moment ago, especially as she referred to today as a fine day. "Oh everything is wonderful Nerissa, thank you. And please, do call me Zachery." He charmingly said to her, with a soft smile which he must have thought would melt her heart into agreeing to anything. "I was just coming down to speak to you two about the Royal Ball that will be held here next week-" Before he could finish Nerissa cut in with her excitement finally bursting, practically ready to jump out of her seat as she spoke. "Yes! I did read about that in the paper, It's so exciting that it will be held here!" She began to overemphasise the word 'here' again and I could tell that she would begin her tangent again if I didn't intervene. "Oh yes, we did see that didn't we? Is there something you need us to arrange for your little party?" I said, adding my usual sarcasm so that no suspicion would be raised.

"Audrey Rose! Don't be so rude! It's not just a little party, it is a very special event, and we can make it run smoothly by helping in any way the Duke - I mean, Zachery - requires." She said this very sweetly, whilst giving me daggers with her eyes, slicing into my conscience for annoying her. She always tried so hard to please everyone, even those who don't deserve it. "Oh, dear, no... I don't need anything from you two at all. I was actually coming down here to invite you both to the party as my guests. You both have looked after me so well since my arrival, It is just a way of me saying thank you." He spoke as if he had unintentionally offended Nerissa, which I could see on his face he genuinely felt guilty over. Nerissa's face, however, was a picture. This lightened the mood in the room in an instant, and before I could fully take in what was unfolding before me, Nerissa leaped up out of her seat and squealed in a pitch which could have shattered glass. "Are you being serious?! Thank you! Thank you!" She kept repeating this whilst jumping up and down on the spot, and ran to Zachery and embraced him in her tiny arms and gave him an enormous hug. I chuckled at this sight, as did Zachery, who could tell he had made her day, or even her week, even if this had been partially planned. At first I was dubious as to whether it would be a good idea involving Nerissa in this, but now I have seen her face at the fact she will be attending the famous ball, I knew it was the right decision. I looked towards Zachery and gave him a sincere smile and nodded in approval to him, as he was still being squeezed by a grateful Nerissa.

Nerissa peeled herself off of Zachery and stood there beaming. Zachery continued his speech by adding "And as my gift to both of you, I want you to be comfortable and prepared for the ball. So I'd love if you both went ball gown shopping and put whatever you choose on my personal account."

I don't think Nerissa could take any more good news. She was ready to collapse. "That is very kind of you, Zachery. We would love to. Nerissa, shall we go dress shopping tomorrow afternoon?" I asked her, with my excitement gradually building up ever so slightly. It would be lovely to go shopping with Nerissa and buy things that we would not even dream of in normal circumstances. This could be fun, after all.

"I would love to, this is all a bit too much. I'm so excited! We will look radiant! What ever will Pierre think?!" She looked at me knowingly, a hint of her earlier emotions seeping through.

"Is that your boyfriend? You are more than welcome to bring him along too, if you like. It can be the four of us." He looked at me coyly, playing on the ideas he was putting in her head.

"Oh, no, he's not my boy- wait, no, that would be brilliant! I will go see him now and tell him, if you'll excuse me?" Nerissa was so overwhelmed that she didn't even bother to wait for our response, she just scurried off hastily to find Pierre, who would no doubt be getting the same squeals of excitement shortly. I wonder if we will hear them from down here, I giggled to myself at the thought of Nerissa trying to begin her explanation of everything that just happened to Pierre, who would be standing there star struck. Not by the ball, but by her.

"So, Kitten, it looks like it's going to be a couples event now, will you do me the honour of being my date?" He began to move closer to me, speaking very slowly, giving me a flirtatious smile as he did so.

"I suppose I'm going to have to, aren't I? I haven't been left with any other choice." I huffed, faking my displeasure over the circumstances. In reality, although Zachery is royalty, and renowned for being a ladies man, he is very attractive, and even if we were planning this for a bigger purpose, it would be nice to pretend. Just for one night.