(A.N. Thanks again for all the feedback. I do enjoy it. I have one request. If you'd like to post a review, please make it more than one sentence long. I'd like to know why you liked or didn't like something. It gives me an idea of what everyone likes to read. That way, I can try to fit more of it into the story as it progresses. Details are always better, people! Thanks.)
Those days in the castle made up for the horrific beginning I'd had to my summer. I was back to being a princess. I'd almost forgotten we were supposed to be in hiding. I spent my days out riding around the grounds, swimming, and telling stories about my life. Connor and Murphy were always enthralled when I told them about my childhood. I suppose to them, my life was something exotic and interesting. We could spend hours by the pool or walking through the gardens as I told my stories. It was in those days I discovered I had another gift besides my looks. I could enchant with my words.
It was also during that time, Murphy made little effort to hide his feelings for me. He'd sit next to me every chance he got. His hand would find its way into mine when we were walking. I'd catch him staring at me from across a room. Out here in this fairy tale world, I would learn what it felt like to be loved. It was too ironic.
After supper on night in late July, we were walking through the ballroom. I'd always loved it as a little girl. I'd run as fast as I could and slide to the other end in my socks. My dad kept up with me as long as he could. He'd slide once or twice and then just watch me. I looked up at the chandelier in the middle of the room.
"I think this is my favorite room," I said.
"Why's that?" he asked.
"When I was a kid, my dad and I would have sock sliding races in here. I'd always win. At the end of every summer, he'd throw a party before we went back to the house. He'd always dance with me first since I'd have to go to bed before it was over. I think I was nine the last time that happened," I said. I could still see all the elegant people in their ball gowns and tuxes dancing around the room. I wanted so badly to have that again.
"So what are the rules of this sock race?" he asked.
"Rules?" I said.
"Sure, I want to see if I can unseat the sock sliding champion," he said. I smiled.
"You run until you're under the chandelier and then you see how far you slide. The one who slides the farthest wins," I explained.
"You're on," he said. He sat down and pulled off his boots. I kicked off my sneakers and we walked to one end of the room.
"Ready?" I asked. He nodded.
"Go!" I yelled. We ran to the middle of the room. I stopped and slid a good fifteen feet. Murphy grabbed onto me, spinning us both around. I landed on top of him on the floor.
"Cheater," I said. He smiled.
"You never said no grabbing," he said.
"That was understood," I said.
"But you never said it," he said. I laughed.
"Fine," I said. "I demand a rematch."
"Best two out of three," he said.
"And no grabbing," I said as we walked back to the other end. Best two out of three became three out of five and then five out of seven. Soon we were sliding all over the room, the game forgotten.
"So what does the winner get?" he asked, taking my hand and pulling me to him.
"We never really got that far," I said. He thought for a minute.
"How about a kiss?" he said.
"I guess that will do," I said. "But who won?"
"You did," he said. My heart began to race as he leaned down to me. I thought I was going to burst from happiness when his lips touched mine. I'd kissed plenty of boys in my life, but this was different. This was all of those kisses combined. It couldn't have been better planned in a movie. This was what life was all about, moments like this.
"I should win more often," I whispered.
"Anytime," he said. I smiled and felt myself blush.
"There you two are," Marie said. I brushed a piece of hair behind my ear and looked over at her.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Andrew wishes to see you," she said.
"Of course," I said.
"He's in the study," she said. I smiled at Murphy and walked out of the ballroom. Patri was sitting in the study, reading.
"You wanted to see me?" I said.
"I have a job for you," Patri said. I cocked my head.
"What kind of job?" I asked.
"I've heard your reputation. You caught many an evil man with your looks. I want you to help me with something," he said.
"I'm listening," I replied.
"I understand Murphy has taken a liking to you. That's fine, but I want to be sure they still possess the...constitution to keep doing our work," he said. I sat down across from him.
"You want me to seduce Murphy? It's a bit late for that," I said. He shook his head.
"Not Murphy, but Connor," he said. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head.
"Are you sure about that?" I asked. He nodded.
"Think of it as a test for all three of you," he said. I considered what he said. I knew I'd have to do it. Connor would be suspicious. I'd have to work hard to get him to believe me. I let out a deep breath.
"When do you want me to do it?" I asked.
"Give it a few days. I don't want them to suspect anythin'," he said. I nodded.
"Looks like I'm back to work," I said. He smiled.
"You'll be fine," he said.