Ethan
Lily leaned up between the counsel. "Sorry, Dad. Those are the rules."
I just snorted. "Thanks, Lily. I think you should let me and Lady Harrington worry about those particular rules."
I heard an "ahhh" from the back and chuckled. "Now put your seatbelt on."
We continued to drive for about an hour. The storm was a total nightmare. I was suddenly very thankful that the girls and I were not outside in it. The thunder and lightning seemed to be getting worse. I hoped we would arrive soon at Victoria's estate.
I kept my focus on the path ahead, knowing that the last leg of the journey would be the trickiest as we retreated deeper into the Smoky Mountains. The rain was still coming down hard, turning the road into a slick ribbon that twisted and climbed toward Victoria's estate. I was glad Victoria was awake and sharp because there was no way I was going to find this palace in the dark and without my phone. Victoria directed me and when we finally rounded the last curve, the villa came into view, and even in the darkness, its grandeur was unmistakable.
The damn thing was a straight-up castle, or at least a modern interpretation of one.
The massive stone structure loomed ahead, illuminated by soft ambient lights that spilled out into the rain-soaked night. The villa was a true masterpiece, blending into the natural beauty of the mountains while standing as a testament to luxury and elegance.
I maneuvered the truck up the driveway, passing by the main entrance and heading for one of the many buildings. Victoria directed me to a three-bay garage attached to the side of the villa, and I pulled in carefully, grateful to be out of the storm at last.
The boom of thunder startled everyone. It was so loud.
The garage was impressive, with high ceilings, polished floors, and enough space to house several vehicles. There were tools, workbenches, and all sorts of equipment. It was fully stocked. I parked the truck and turned off the engine, letting the silence settle over us for a moment. The girls were already unbuckling their seatbelts, eager to get inside and out of the car.
I glanced back at Victoria, whose relief and weariness were palpable. She met my gaze, her eyes softening as she nodded toward the back seat. "It almost feels strange being here."
"I bet," I said simply. "Listen. Are you okay? Really?"
She shook her head. "Not really. But I will be. Thanks for being there."
With that, we got to work. I stepped out of the truck, moving quickly to the back door to help Victoria and the girls out. Lily and Maya scrambled around eagerly, stretching their legs after the long drive. Victoria was more composed, but the exhaustion in her posture as she stepped down from the truck was noticeable.
"Let's get you all inside," I said, opening the door to the truck's back seat where Samantha lay. She had fallen back to sleep. I would need to carry her inside. Victoria moved to help, but I shook my head gently.
"I've got her," I said, leaning in to carefully lift Samantha out of the truck. Her body was light in my arms, but the angle made it awkward. Still, I managed to carry her without too much difficulty, and I could feel her starting to stir as I did.
Samantha's eyes fluttered open just as we were stepping into the villa. She looked up at me, her gaze still hazy from sleep and confusion. For a moment, she seemed disoriented, then her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized the state she was in—cradled in my arms, her hair tangled and her clothes rumpled.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, trying to smooth down her hair. "I must look awful."
"You look fine," I replied, keeping my voice gentle. "But let's get you somewhere more comfortable."
Victoria led the way through the chateau, which was even more impressive from the inside. The ceilings towered above us, and the stone fireplace in the great room cast a warm, inviting glow that immediately took the chill out of the air. Everything from the decor to the artwork screamed taste, class, and most of all, money. And a lot of it.
We passed through the great room, where the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a glimpse of the storm still raging outside. Despite the weather, the chateau felt like a sanctuary, a place where the chaos of the world couldn't reach us. Victoria guided us toward a hallway that led to a set of stairs, and we ascended to the upper level where the bedrooms were located.
Victoria opened the door to one of the rooms that felt lived in. I assumed this was Samantha's actual room. I stepped in and carefully laid Samantha down on the large, four-poster bed. The room was as elegant as the rest of the villa, with deep, warm colors and a view that would have been breathtaking if not for the storm.
"Thank you, Mr. Knight," Samantha said softly, her voice still tinged with embarrassment. "I didn't mean to be such a burden."
"Ahh, I wondered how much you were actually sleeping," I said with a grin. I stepped back as Victoria moved to adjust the blankets around her. "You're not a burden. You've been through a lot. Just rest."
As I stepped out of the room, Victoria followed me into the hallway, closing the door behind us. "I will call the doctor from town," she said, her voice low. "I know you wanted to go to a hospital. This is the next best thing to make sure Samantha and James are alright."
"That's a good idea. Even if it isn't ideal."
Man, I wish we could get them to a hospital. "You call; I will get your man to a room. Can you show me where you want him? I will get him situated."
Victoria nodded. "I'll show you. Don't worry about getting him situated. I have people for that. I will ask some of my maids to help. His room is down this way."
Maids. Multiple. How rich was this woman?
I looked at my surroundings. Very rich, obviously. Dumb question.
Victoria showed me where to set the driver did she tell me his name? I cannot remember, and then pointed out a sitting room where she would be making her call.
I left her to it and was relieved that I only got lost once on my way back to the garage. I was further encouraged as I got to my truck and saw the man had awakened and was trying to get out on his own power.
"Oh hey there, my friend," I said, grabbing him and holding him upright. "You've been down for several hours, but we are at Ms. Harrington's Villa—"
"It's a chateau, lad," James said with a strong British accent.
I rolled my eyes. "Like there is a difference."
He snorted. "There is absolutely a difference. And it's Lady Harrington, ya yankee."
I paused. For a moment I thought he was serious, then I saw the huge smile on his face. The sudden humor after such a serious night was surprising. I laughed. I could tell I was going to like this guy. "Alright, you redcoat. Let me get you to a room."
The man didn't say much. When we got to the room, several hands reached for him. I smiled at the two young women and left.
I walked back toward the sitting room and felt a heavy sigh escape my chest. I suddenly felt drained. The adrenaline that had carried me through the storm, through the rescue, and through the night was beginning to fade, leaving me exhausted.
I leaned against the wall in the hallway for a moment, letting my thoughts catch up with me. I needed to find Lily and Maya; now that the excitement had passed, I knew they had to be just as wiped out as I was and maybe a little scared. This grand villa—oh sorry, chateau—with all its comforts, was a far cry from the campsite we had been planning to reach. The idea of dragging them back out into the storm to set up camp in the mountains seemed ridiculous now.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the surreal feeling of the last few hours. This wasn't the time to get caught up in everything that had happened—there were practical matters to attend to. The girls needed a safe place to stay, somewhere we could all get some proper rest and regroup. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to head into town and find a hotel or motel. It might not be what we had planned, but it was the safest and smartest option. Plus, if the town was close enough for a doctor to get here, I was confident I could get us there without much incident.
Decision made, I pushed off from the wall and made my way back toward the sitting room where Victoria was. As I walked, I noticed more of the villa's details—the polished wood floors, the elegant art pieces, and even more gaudy ones like stuffed animals and massive tapestries. All in all, it was hard not to be impressed by such opulence.
When I re-entered the sitting room, Victoria stood by a large fireplace. Geez, how many fireplaces did this place have? The firelight cast a warm glow over her, and for a brief moment, I hesitated, not wanting to interrupt the peace of the scene.
But practicality won out, and I cleared my throat softly to get Victoria's attention. She turned to me, her expression calm but expectant.
"Victoria," I began, trying to keep my voice steady, "I've been thinking… It's probably not a good idea for me to try and get the girls to our campsite tonight. The storm's still rough, and the roads aren't great. I was thinking it might be better if we head into town and find somewhere to stay."
I was surprised by how quickly Victoria shook her head, a determined look settling on her face.
"No, absolutely not," she said firmly, her tone brooking no argument. "I won't hear of you taking the girls back out into that storm. You've all been through enough tonight, and like you said, the roads are still dangerous."
I opened my mouth to argue, but the words died in my throat as I took in the resolve in her expression. She was serious—serious in a way that made it clear this wasn't up for debate.
"Victoria, I don't want to impose," I began, trying to find a way to explain without offending her. "The last thing I want is to cause more trouble. The girls and I can manage—"
But she cut me off with a gentle wave of her hand, her eyes softening slightly. "Ethan, you're not imposing. You saved our lives tonight. The least I can do is offer you and your girls a safe place to stay. This villa has more than enough space, and I won't hear another word about it."
I smiled. "It's a chateau, Lady Harrington."
Victoria rolled her eyes but tried not to grin. It was quite cute. "You've obviously been talking to James."
Her expression shifted back to something more serious. "Ethan, please stay. I would feel bad if you and the girls left."
I hesitated, not because I didn't appreciate the offer—because I did—but because it felt strange to accept such kindness after everything. I wasn't used to being on the receiving end of any sort of generosity, especially from people like Victoria and Samantha, who seemed worlds apart from the life I knew.
"She's right, Ethan. There's no need for you to go back out there tonight. Please, stay. The girls can have their own room, and there's plenty of space for everyone."
I turned to see who entered. I had to fight to not let my jaw drop.
"Samantha?"
Wow. Just wow. Samantha was a total knockout.
She had cleaned up and changed. It wasn't even fancy, just simple shorts and a tank top.
But damn, just damn.
Samantha Harrington was a tall woman, 5'10 maybe 11. Her hair was long dirty blond and slightly tousled from earlier, though it appeared she tried to do something with it. Still, tousled or not, it framed her face perfectly, and her skin seemed to glow under the soft lighting. Her eyes were sharp and intelligent and also quite striking with a quiet confidence. Obviously, I hadn't noticed it before because of the urgency of the situation. Maybe I had just been too distracted or too blind to see. Either way, I was seeing it now, and it hit me like a punch to the gut.
"Is everything okay?" Samantha asked, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts.
I blinked, trying to pull myself back together. "Yeah," I mumbled, feeling a bit off-kilter. "Everything's fine."
But everything wasn't fine. Not by a long shot. Because the more I looked, the more I realized that this woman was single-handedly one of the most beautiful creatures I had ever seen, and here I was staring at her… like an idiot.
SNAP OUT OF IT, ETHAN, I screamed in my own head. It took me a moment, but I did.
"I really cannot impose on you two. It wouldn't be appropriate. I am a man you barely know—"
"Poppycock," Victoria said. "If you're worried about your virtue, Ethan, you can simply lock your door."
"Ethan, you're not going to leave two damsels in distress, are you?" Samantha said. "Your concerns for our comfort are appreciated. We've taken your measure. So please, let me say it again. Please stay. We want you to stay."
Her words were genuine, and I could see the sincerity in her eyes. This wasn't pity—this was genuine concern, something that I wasn't entirely used to from people outside my immediate circle.
Victoria stepped forward, placing a hand on face, her touch light but grounding. The touch felt like someone zapped me. It was electric.
It was then that I noticed, Samantha Harrington was striking, but so was Victoria Harrington.
Ok this isn't fair. What is a guy supposed to do?
"You've done so much for us," she said, her voice warm and firm at the same time. "Let us take care of you and your wonderful daughters. It's the least we can do."
I looked between the two women, both of them so determined, so insistent that we stay. It was clear that they weren't going to let me leave, and truthfully, the idea of staying here, in this warm, safe place, was more appealing than I wanted to admit.
Finally, I let out a sigh, nodding in agreement. "Alright," I said, the tension easing out of my shoulders. "We'll stay. But only if you're sure."
Victoria smiled, a mix of relief and satisfaction in her expression. "We're sure," she said. "Now, let's get you and the girls settled."
Samantha offered me a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Ethan," she said again, but this time it wasn't just for what I had done—it was for staying, for accepting their help.
I returned the smile, feeling a bit of the earlier tension lift. "You're welcome," I replied simply, not wanting to get too caught up in the gratitude.
Victoria turned to lead the way, her presence commanding yet comforting. "Come with me," she said, gesturing for me to follow. "There are so many rooms in this place, it's damn near a hotel. The girls can have one of their own, and there's a room for you as well."
I followed her down the hallway as the storm still raged outside. We reached the guest wing, where Victoria opened the door to a spacious room with two queen four-poster beds, already made up with soft, inviting linens. "This should be perfect for Lily and Maya," she said, glancing back at me to gauge my reaction.
I nodded, impressed by the thoughtfulness. "This is great. They'll love it. But where did they go?"
Victoria looked a bit sheepish when she answered. "I hope it's okay. I had some of my ladies help to find them a bath before bed and to make sure they ate something."
Wow, Victoria was on it.
Next, she led me to a room just down the hall, which was even more luxurious, with a large bed—the biggest I have ever seen—a private bathroom, and a view of the storm-tossed mountains through the floor-to-ceiling windows, plus another one of those damn fireplaces. It was basically an apartment.
"This will be your room," Victoria said, her voice warm. "Please, make yourself at home. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"I am just down the hall," said Samantha. Did I imagine it, or were her cheeks a bit flushed? "If I can help, let me know."
I nodded, grateful but still feeling a bit awkward about the whole situation. "Thank you, Victoria. You too, Samantha," I said. "I really appreciate this."
Victoria smiled, the kind of smile that made you feel like everything was going to be alright. "You're welcome, Ethan. Now, get some rest. You've earned it."
With that, they left me to settle in, closing the door. I stood there for a moment, taking in the quiet of the room, the soft glow of the lamps, and the distant sound of the storm outside.
It had been a wild night. I undressed and fell into my bed. I was tired and hungry, but food would have to wait until tomorrow. Outside, the thunder and lightning raged.
There was a knock on the door. I was in my boxers and undershirt but already in bed. It was glorious.
"Mr. Ethan," a sweet voice said. A woman small and mousy walked in. She brought me a plate with a club sandwich, a glass of water, some pain pills, and chips.
"Victoria told you to feed me, huh?" I said. The woman, cute as a button, nodded and curtsied. She placed the tray next to the bed and then curtsied again.
"The phone connects to the staff. If you need anything, just call. You can reach us by pushing '0.'"
Shoot, it really is like a hotel. That's nuts.
"And what should I call you?" I asked.
The woman curtsied one more time. "My name is Gina. Good night, Mr. Ethan."
She left without another word. The food was great. I took the pain pills and settled back.
The last thought I had was I hope the doctor gets here safe.