Wait, what's that,? Elizabeth asked, pointing at the right to what looked like a closet door with an etched glass window.

It's an elevator, Nicholas said, as he opened the door to show her. The vision that greeted them was a carved paneled wooden box equipped with a lavish red velvet seat and a brilliant chandelier at the top. A mirror was part of the back wall, while matching red carpet covered the floor.

I don't think I've ever seen such a pretty elevator, Elizabeth said. Does it work?

It does. My aunt uses it to get up and down the stairs when her knees are troubling her, which isn't too often. She's in pretty good shape for her age. It's really slow though. It goes to the basement and up to the third floor. I think they actually installed it in the 1920s, several years after the house was built. This house also has a couple of dumbwaiters, he pointed them out, as they moved along to the rest of the house.

Nicholas stood near as Elizabeth walked in front of him, giving him a whiff of her blonde hair and a view of the delicate skin at the back of her neck. He leaned closer, wanting nothing more than to kiss her soft skin and run his hands through the fine wavy strands that were escaping from the loose braid she had it in. He felt a stir in his loins and a sudden hunger to press his body up against hers and…

Well,? she said to him as she turned, raising her brows and teasing him with her eyes. Where is this favorite room of mine? Is it the kitchen? Because I'm starving!

Behave Nicholas, he chided himself. His eyes focused on her mouth, enjoying the way her soft pink lips curled up with laughter.

This way Miss Wakefield, he smiled, as they made their way to another door down the hallway. He opened the door to a high ceilinged room of shelves, each of them filled with numerous books.

A library, Elizabeth exclaimed as she spun around, admiring the huge collections of novels, classics, reference books and magazines.

You're right, this is my favorite room, and I haven't seen the whole house yet!

There are a few books in here that are even older than this house, Nicholas said, as Elizabeth examined the titles. Lots of magazines too. And lots of old photographs of Greenwich and other parts of Fairfield County from the turn of the century. Aunt Eleanor inherited most of them from her grandparents and has never thrown anything out.

I should hope not, Elizabeth exclaimed, giving him a horrified look. I can't understand why anyone would want to get rid of any of this.

Nicholas shrugged. Well I know a lot of people don't appreciate things like that, he said. All the history I mean. But Aunt Eleanor does, and I knew you would too, he said, laughing as she attempted to move the squeaky ladder to the other side of a particularly high shelf.

I think this needs a bit of oil, Elizabeth suggested, as she managed to shift the ladder from left to right. She climbed up, looking at the various bound collections.

If I lived this house, I'd probably spend every minute in here… probably writing at that beauty, she motioned, pointing to the elaborately carved wooden desk that was situated near the window. It's huge, she said, climbing down the ladder and walking over to admire the numerous nooks and drawers.

You know, there's a secret passage here, Nicholas stated. You want to see it,? he smirked at her.

A secret passage? Should you be showing it to me? Elizabeth teased as Nicholas walked towards her.

I'll just have to keep you from leaving this house, that way, you won't be able to tell anyone.

How are you going to do that?

I have my ways, he smiled, winking at her as he picked up a heavy brass nymph bookend, and revealed a tiny knob. You do the honors, he grinned at her, as he pressed her index finger to the button.

Let me guess, it's behind one of the bookcases, she said looking around the room.

Nope, he replied, his eyes glinting mischievously. He was so cute when he smiled, his eyes brightened and Elizabeth felt the urge to caress the small dimple in his chin.

Wrong, Nicholas said, but a good guess though.

I don't see anything opening, Elizabeth said, confusedly looking around.

That's because, it's too small to notice, he replied, as he brought her to the fire place.

Now put your finger into the lion's mouth, Nicholas instructed.

Hmmmm, I don't know, she said grinning at him. It won't bite me will it,? she asked, as she pushed her finger deep inside the tiny hole in the jaw.

She felt another small knob and pressed on it. To her surprise, the carved brass fire back turned sideways, revealing an opening.

A ha,! she said, smiling again. So the button under the bookend opens the tiny cover at the lion's mouth, and then the lion's mouth opens the fire place. It's so small, I would never have seen it if you didn't show me.

That's the whole point of it being a secret. Shall we,? Nicholas motioned, as he entered through the opening.

Elizabeth followed him, grateful that they didn't have to crouch too much, as this fireplace was even higher than the one in the parlor. They found themselves at a landing, with flights of steps leading both up and downwards.

There's a safe here too, Nicholas pointed to a section of the wall that looked like an ordinary grille covering. It's in there, he said, camouflaged as a vent. To open it…he continued, turning to the stairs. Elizabeth watched as he lifted a wooden plank from one of the treads, revealing a series of numbered buttons.

You have to enter the combination and the grille swings open, he explained.

Elizabeth watched in fascination as he entered a series of numbers that brought the brass cover to life. That's not it though, Nicholas continued. He entered another set of numbers and finally reached into the now open space to pull open the safe door.

I feel like I'm in a James Bond film, Elizabeth giggled. I feel like I could write a mystery novel right in this house, she continued.

That's a good idea, Nicholas said, laughing along with her. As long as you make me into the hero.

Elizabeth shook her head. Hmmmmm, maybe I'll make you the villain, she said as if deep in thought. So do the servants use these stairs,? Elizabeth asked, enchanted with the whole concept.

No, there's actually another set of stairs in the back of the house, for servants only.

I know how that is. I was a scullery maid in England for a while, she said.

Wait what? He looked at her incredulously.

It's true, Elizabeth laughed. I was the lowest servant in a huge house. Let's just say it was quite an adventure, she said, thinking of Max Pennington.

When was this? How did you end up there,? Nicholas asked, a bemused expression on his handsome face.

It's kind of a long story. But I really needed the money, she continued.

Jessica came over and convinced me to come home, she reflected, as sadness seeped through her countenance. That will never happen again! I rather scrub toilets in the bathrooms at Port Authority Bus Terminal than ever go back to Sweet Valley and be her sister again,! she thought to herself.

So show me the rest of this beautiful house, she turned to Nicholas, not wanting thoughts of Jessica to interrupt her. We can't stay in this secret passage forever, she said, smiling.

He looked at her carefully, observing the change of emotions on her face.

I lost you for a while there, he said, lifting her chin towards him. You seemed so far away.

Well, London is far away, she laughed, trying to convince him that everything was normal, as she felt his warm hand brushing her cheek. She grabbed hold of his other hand.

Now, tour guide Morrow, let's get out of this stairwell and show me the rest of the house.

Well, let's see, Nicolas went on. There's not much in the basement. It's a massive space, and surprisingly, not one of those dark, damp ones that you usually find in old houses. The ceilings are pretty high down there, almost nine feet. Monica has her own suite down there, although I don't like the idea of it.

Why? Elizabeth asked.

Because she's so far away from my aunt. If anything happens, especially at night…

I get it, Elizabeth nodded. You're afraid something might happen to her?

Yes, with her age and all. That's why I like to come up here, to see how she's doing.

She's lucky to have you then, Elizabeth said. Does she have any children?

She had only one son, Nicholas replied. My mother's second cousin. He died somewhere in the Amazon a long time ago. I never met him. But he had no children himself. So that's the reason she dotes on her nieces and nephews. She claims I'm her favorite, but I think that's mostly because I'm the one who visits her most often. A flicker of pain passed through his eyes. She has a collection of porcelain dolls that she wanted to give to Regina. She was pretty devastated when she died.

Elizabeth nodded in understanding, taking hold of Nicholas' hand as they made their way up the staircase.

Nicholas pushed on the wall, opening another door that led them to a small closet. He shut the door behind them, walked ahead and opened yet another door, which to Elizabeth's surprise was fronted by a large pier mirror.

You were right, Elizabeth said. Mirrors everywhere. And secret doors.

This is actually a dressing room, Nicholas said, as Elizabeth observed the numerous racks and drawers.

I can see that. It looks like every woman's dream, Elizabeth giggled. My lifetime collection of clothing isn't nearly enough to fill here, she stated, as he led her to the door on the left. A large claw foot tub greeted her as they entered.

This is even bigger than the one at Mrs Wexford's house, she noted, as she felt the cast iron tub. It's so heavy, so solid. And a needle shower too. I love it! My roommate would love it too. We only have a small shower, and she's a dancer. She often needs to soak her feet in ice and a tub this large would be wonderful. So when can I move in? she joked, as she grabbed Nicholas into a warm hug. I'll be scullery maid forever in this house if your aunt lets me have a bath in this gorgeous tub.

That can be arranged, he said rakishly, as long as I can join you. He felt himself growing hard again. They walked back into the dressing room and into the attached bedroom. Elizabeth's heart raced as she thought of his suggestion.

It's empty, she said as they entered, pulling away from him and looking around. So the bathroom and dressing room, they're for the lady of the house right? So she's basically in charge of the secrets in the house?

Isn't that the way it always is? Nicholas replied. That's how it was in my house, he said smiling as he reminisced. It's actually the biggest bedroom in the house. My aunt used to occupy it, but when her husband died, she couldn't bear to stay in here. So she took one of the smaller rooms at the end of the house. There's another dressing room, he said, as he walked on the other side, opening the door, and a bathroom in there as well.

Nicholas led her back into the bedroom and opened another door, one that led out to the balcony. They stood in silence, admiring the panoramic view beneath them. The large weeping willow trees gracefully decorated the wide lawn, and Elizabeth felt like she was staring at a marvelous work of art. She placed her hand in his, grateful to have enjoyed this special day with him. There were several small islands visible in the distance, and they could see the coast of Long Island which lay before them. The sun was low in the sky, bringing on cooler temperatures. Elizabeth shivered as a rush of brisk autumn air blew the multicolored leaves on the grass below. Her skin felt cold, but inside she was everything but. There was an electricity between them, and she knew she wasn't the only one being sparked by it. Nicholas put his arms around her and stared deep into her eyes.

Let's go in before you catch a chill, he said, as he opened the door and walked with her back into the bedroom. They went out into the hallway and he ran his hands along her shoulders.

Elizabeth...You know how I feel about you, don't you?

She nodded, as if entranced.

She stared at his lips, just as they moved closer to hers. A rush of blood met her face as they embraced each other.

This is much better than last night, she thought to herself as she remembered how closely he held her on the patio. She pulled him closer, caressing the sides of his face as she felt the tip of his tongue on hers. Before she knew what was happening, Nicholas' hands had found their way under her shirt after undoing some of her buttons. She felt the heat between her legs and her nether regions moistening in anticipation.

Wait, she stopped, alarmed at how fast they were moving. I…., she bit her lip as he caressed her neck with warm kisses.

You don't want to,? he moaned, his eyes pleading with her.

I do, she assured him as she placed her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating, so strong, so vibrant. I just don't want to rush things. Nicholas, we only met each other yesterday. I've never been the type to just jump into bed with every man I like.

But you do like me, don't you Liz?

Elizabeth nodded. You know I do, she said softly. I like you a lot, she said, her eyes wide with sincerity. More than a lot.

You're not still hung up on Todd are you?

No, it's not that, she put her hand to his face, admiring the pure greenness of his eyes.

She turned and walked down the stairs, while buttoning and adjusting her shirt. To her utmost horror, she found Mrs Eleanor Dumfries at the bottom of the stairs, staring up at her...