Victoria
My heart was still pounding as I closed the door behind me, retreating to the privacy of my room. The events of the morning were almost too surreal to process. I couldn't believe I had woken up in Ethan's bed, surrounded by his daughters and Samantha—what on earth had I been thinking? The storm had been terrifying, but I should have handled it better than crawling into bed with strangers.
Going in there with Maya and Lily at that time seemed perfectly reasonable. Laying down with them? Why would I do that? I should have woken Ethan and let him handle his daughters. I don't even really know them. I acted way more familiar than I had any right to. How embarrassing.
Taking a deep breath, I paced the room, trying to calm down. My thoughts were a mess, and I knew I needed to get a grip. I thought I should probably check messages, even just to distract myself. But as I reached for my phone, the reality of my situation hit me—I didn't have it. It was likely still in the limo, lost amidst the chaos of last night.
Frustration bubbled up inside me. I needed my phone. I couldn't function without it. The idea of going into town to get a replacement was daunting, but it had to be done. I needed to stay connected, especially after what had happened.
Then I realized—my tablet! I had it, and the Wi-Fi was working. Thank goodness.
I decided to call Louis, my ever-reliable assistant. If anyone could help me get my head back on straight, it was him. After a few rings, his familiar face appeared on the screen, a mix of concern and curiosity in his expression.
"My Lady! How your absence has brought gloom to my--Victoria, what on earth happened? You look… well, not yourself," Louis exclaimed, his French accent more pronounced in his surprise.
"Louis, I'm a mess," I admitted, feeling a bit of relief just hearing his voice. "We nearly died last night."
His eyes widened. "Died? Like dead died? Not like socially dead. Like actually dead. Explain immediately."
I quickly filled him in on the storm, the crash, and how Ethan had saved us. I described how we had ended up at the Chateau with Ethan, Samantha, an injured James, and his two daughters. I explained how I had laid down last night only for the lightning and thunder to get out of control, and how, in my panic, I had somehow ended up in bed with him. The more I talked, the more absurd it all sounded.
"Victoria, mon Dieu, that sounds terrifying!" Louis exclaimed, his usual flair for the dramatic coming through. "But you're safe now, yes?"
"Yes, we're safe," I reassured him. "But this morning… Louis, I woke up in his bed. It was the most mortifying moment of my life."
Louis raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Ah, so this Ethan is quite the charmer, then?"
I shook my head, trying to downplay it. "No, it's not like that. I hardly know him. Oh no, well— I know how that sounds, but that's not how— And Ethan, is he a charmer? I would exactly say no. He's just… well, he's very different... But that's not the point. I'm mortified, Louis. It should not have happened."
He nodded, his tone softening. "Darling, it sounds like you were scared and vulnerable. It's understandable. But now, you need to regroup. You're Lady Victoria Harrington, after all. This is just a minor hiccup. Hopefully, the sex was good, yes? It is about time that you felt pleasure that comes with carnal activity."
I facepalmed. "I didn't have sex with him, Louis. Samantha was there!"
Louis smiled. "Oh, kinky."
His comment made me blush furiously, and I swatted at him through the screen. "Louis, stop it! This is serious! We didn't sleep together. Well, okay, we did sleep together, but we only slept. Samantha, his two daughters, Lily, Maya, and I all ended up in his bed because of the bloody storm, which is fine for normal people, but I am Lady Harrington. What if the tabloids hear about this?"
He chuckled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Alright, alright, no need to get your panties in a twist. You arewearing panties, right? Yet I digress. First, tell me what happened. Everything. The crash, the rescue, and how you ended up sleeping with four other people. Then you tell me about this young man."
I took a deep breath and tried to focus on describing the events, everything including how we ended up in Ethan's bed. Next, I spent some time trying to describe Ethan to Louis. The question was, how do I describe Ethan?
I thought about him. He has a rough persona. I think he has a handsome face with a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes, though the hot factor can be difficult to see under the facial hair. There was a kindness in his gaze that contradicted his rough exterior. Soft words of comfort for a stranger that he didn't know. He didn't know me, which I found odd. Honestly, I struggled to put into words the strange mix of emotions he stirred within me.
"He comes across as… complicated," I finally settled on, realizing how inadequate the description sounded.
Louis arched an eyebrow. "Complicated? Love, that is the queen of all non-explanations."
I sighed, feeling the weight of the morning's events pressing down on me. "He's just… different. He's been through a lot; you can tell. But honestly, I can only give you my impressions because I don't really know him. I know he loves his daughters, and they absolutely adore him. I think it's obvious that he has lived a rough life. That's about all. What little I know is mostly context from his daughters."
Louis nodded thoughtfully. "A single father and a study in contrasting elements. How intriguing. And how did he react to waking up with you in his bed?"
"He didn't really react, though he appeared quite amused by it," I admitted. "Big fat jerk, he could have at least been a bit excited."
"What was that, Lady Harrington?"
"Nothing." I straightened myself.
"So, what's the plan now?"
I took a deep breath, feeling a flicker of determination amidst the embarrassment and confusion. "I need a phone replacement. And then… I don't know. I have no idea what Ethan must think of me now, but I cannot have him talking to the press. It's the last thing I need. It's already going to be a mess keeping the accident out of the news. People already think I'm unstable because of Henry's death. We are just sort of getting past it."
Louis nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps you should talk to him, explain yourself."
I groaned at the thought. "I don't even know where to begin."
"Well, start with 'I'm sorry,'" Louis suggested with a shrug. "Honesty goes a long way."
"Honesty? Please tell me that you are being cheeky," I said, taking a deep breath. "Or is that seriously all you got for me?"
Louis grinned. "The classics are good for a reason. But in all candor, you need to understand Ethan, and he really needs to understand you. The only way that happens is through honest communication, as difficult as it can be sometimes. So, what will you do?"
I slapped my face with both of my palms. Not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to make a sound. Then I took a deep breath. I needed to get a grip. "I'm going to freshen up, then figure out how to get into town and get a new phone. I can't go without one."
"Of course not," Louis agreed. "Then?"
"Then," I said resolutely, "I will talk to Ethan, and hopefully, we can put this mess behind us."
Louis nodded. "You've been through quite the ordeal. Tell me how things go with tall, dark, and roguish."
I rolled my eyes. "Thank you, Louis. I'll keep you updated."
"Please do," he said warmly. "And if you need anything, just call. I'm here for you."
I ended the call and stared at the tablet for a moment, trying to steady my racing heart. Louis was right—I needed to pull myself together. First, a bath, a good scrubbing, and washing my hair. Then, I would figure out the rest. I wasn't going to let one terrifying night throw me completely off balance. I was Lady Victoria Harrington, and I could handle this.
As soon as I figured out what "this" was.
Taking a deep breath, I headed to the bathroom and drew a bath. The warm water was a balm to my nerves, easing the tension in my shoulders and helping me regain my composure. As I stepped out of the bath, I felt a renewed sense of clarity. I was ready to face whatever the day would bring.
I took my time getting ready, knowing that presenting my best self was crucial, especially after the mortifying circumstances of the morning. I selected an outfit that was both sophisticated and understated, something that would remind me of who I was—a woman of poise and grace, no matter the situation.
Though probably more formal than necessary, I chose a tailored, cream-colored blouse with delicate lace detailing at the collar and cuffs, paired with a high-waisted, navy blue pencil skirt that accentuated my slender figure. The skirt's fabric hugged my hips just enough to showcase my curves without being too revealing. I finished the look with a pair of classic, nude pumps that added just the right amount of height.
As I stood in front of the mirror, I took a moment to assess my appearance. My dark hair, blown out and soft, fell in loose waves over my shoulders. I decided to leave it down, allowing it to frame my face and soften the overall look. My skin, always fair, had a natural glow, enhanced by the light touch of makeup I had applied—just a hint of blush to bring color to my cheeks and a swipe of mascara to highlight my green eyes.
I added a pair of simple pearl earrings and a delicate gold bracelet, keeping the accessories minimal yet elegant. The overall effect was one of effortless sophistication, a look that would put me back in control of the situation.
Satisfied with my appearance, I took a deep breath and gave myself a final once-over in the mirror. The woman staring back at me was a far cry from the panicked mess I had been just hours earlier. I was Lady Victoria Harrington, after all, and I was determined to live up to that title.