Chapter 12 Part 1

Victoria

I woke up to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the heavy curtains of my bedroom. Stretching beneath the luxurious sheets, I realized I was alone. It made me sad. I wasn't in Ethan's bed, and the girls were nowhere to be seen.

Why did I feel alone?

I heard laughter down the hall. Maya, probably. It made me smile.

I replayed the events in my mind: the laughter during the movie, the warmth of the girls snuggled close, and the unexpected comfort I found in Ethan's presence. The storm outside had pushed us all together in a way I hadn't anticipated.

Had it only been a single day since I met them?

With a sigh, I slipped out of bed and padded over to the nightstand where I'd left my tablet. I needed to check in with Louis. I tapped on the screen, and Louis's familiar face appeared, his perfectly coiffed hair and sharp cheekbones filling the screen.

"Good morning, Lady Harrington," Louis greeted me with a knowing smile, his French accent adding a touch of flair to his already polished demeanor. "I hope you're calling to tell me you wound up in that handsome American's bed again. This time without additional company."

My cheeks flushed, and I laughed softly. "Louis, you really do have a one-track mind."

He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I live for these little dramas, you know that. So, how was your day? Did you or Samantha seduce the young hero?"

I smiled at the statement, then scowled. Who said I was going to seduce him? Then I stopped, recalling the incredible meal Ethan had prepared. "Louis, no seduction, but there might as well have been. You wouldn't believe it. Ethan cooked us the most amazing dinner—lasagna, salads, corn dishes, garlic bread—it was like something out of a five-star restaurant. Do you remember that little place we went to in Florence last year? Same feeling, but made with, I don't know, love? Amazing, everything homemade."

Louis raised an eyebrow, impressed. "A man who can cook like that... He's sounding more and more like a dream. Is he gay? Maybe I will take a taste."

I rolled my eyes.

"Louis, focus," I said, trying to steer the conversation back on track. "Ethan is very much straight, as far as I know. And no, there was no seduction involved. We just had a nice dinner, and then an evening with him, Samantha and his girls. We watched movies and ate ice cream. It was nice."

"What? No drama at all? I am very disappointed in you, my Lady."

I hesitated, the memory of what happened next still fresh in my mind. "Well, maybe a bit. After dinner, Samantha and I decided to apologize to him for the...awkwardness yesterday morning. We wanted to make sure he didn't feel uncomfortable about us being in his bed."

I sighed. "I cannot believe those words just came from my mouth. Such a scandal."

Louis leaned in closer to the screen, his interest piqued. "And how did that go?"

I smiled at the thought. "It was...unexpected. He was so kind, Louis. He told us we were worrying too much and that he was honored we felt safe enough to be in his space. And then he said something about how we were two of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, and we could jump into his bed anytime."

Louis's eyes widened, and he let out a low whistle. "Oh là là, Victoria! Cet homme sait comment envoûter, n'est-ce pas? Alors, comment as-tu réagi à ça?"

Louis spoke French when he got really excited. To translate ( that man knows how to charm, doesn't he? So, how did you respond to that?")

"That's just the thing," she replied ignoring the fact that Louis switched languages. " He wasn't being charming. He was being him. I don't think he even realized what he said. He was genuine."

I let out a breath, recalling the way Samantha and I had ended up hugging him. "We hugged him, Louis. It just felt...right at the moment. But he seemed a bit surprised, almost as if he wasn't used to that kind of affection."

Louis shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. "What an unexpected development. But I have to say, it's nice to hear you speak so warmly about someone. It's been a while."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. "You're right. It's just...he's different, Louis. Kind. Genuine. But at the same time, I wonder what's beneath the surface. Then there are his girls. Louis, they're absolutely darlings. They have been calling me either Aunt or Princess Victoria since we've met. They curtsy when they see me. I could literally steal them away."

"So have you fallen in love with the man or the daughters?"

I waved off his statement. "Love? Don't be daft, Louis. I don't fall in love with men I just met who are fifteen years younger than me. But his daughters...well, is it strange that I want to keep them around?"

"I see. And knowing you, you've decided to find out more about him and their situations." Louis asked, his tone turning serious.

I hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, I want to know more, especially about his ex-wife. Conversations and details do not add up there, and I want to understand what happened. Based on the limited information I've received from his daughters, he has had a rough go, and this woman was not very kind to him."

I almost hissed those last words. Oddly enough, I found myself getting angry.

Louis's fingers danced across his keyboard as he made a note. "Consider it done. I'll dig into his past and see what I can find. But be careful, love. You might be stepping into the deeps with even realizing it."

"I know, Louis. But I can't help but feel it's worth it." I paused, then added, "And before I forget, we'll need to make a trip into town later. Can you make sure that my new phone and one for Samantha are ready at the store?"

Louis nodded. "Of course, I'll make the arrangements. And my Lady,"

"Yes, Louis?"

"Remember, you're gorgeous, and I love you."

I rolled my eyes. "Thank you, Louis. I love you too."

After my call with Louis, I sat back and let the events of the past day swirl in my mind. I couldn't shake the image of Ethan standing in the kitchen, cooking that incredible meal for all of us. The way he moved, so confident and skilled, had been almost mesmerizing. It was clear he had a passion for cooking and people. And then there was the way he reacted when Samantha and I hugged him, expressing our gratitude. He had been so gracious, but there was a hesitation too, as if he wasn't used to such affection.

But how could that be for such a man? Manly. Huge. Handsome in a cowboy sort of way. I was sure women threw themselves at him after getting over the shock of how intimidating he was. It didn't make any sense. How could someone not get attached?

Then there were his amazing daughters. I was growing more attached to Lily and Maya. I wanted to spend more time with them. But if I was going to do that, I needed to understand their situation better. What had really happened with Ethan's ex-wife? And what had led him to this point in his life? What did the family dynamic look like? The girls didn't have much good to say about their mother or her new husband. I knew reactions like that could be manipulated. I just needed to know.

Louis had promised to dig into the details, but I also knew I needed to tread carefully. This wasn't just idle curiosity. I felt a strange protective instinct, not just for the girls but for Ethan too. If I was going to explore this connection, I had to be prepared for whatever I might find. And if I was honest with myself, I wanted to spend more time with Ethan. No, that didn't mean I wanted to take him to bed. But he was hurting. I could tell. I wanted to help him heal. But first, I needed to understand the full picture.

I turned back to my reflection in the mirror. My outfit was impeccable, but as I thought about the day ahead. I realized my mistake. I am not getting ready to go on some glitzy date. This outfit was too formal for where we were and the company we'd be keeping. This was a mountain town, with rugged landscapes and unpredictable weather.

With that in mind, I decided to change. I needed something that was still elegant but more suited to the mountains—a comfortable, stylish sweater paired with slim jeans and boots that could handle the terrain. Something that would allow me to blend into the environment while still feeling like myself.

As I adjusted my outfit, I felt a sense of purpose settle over me. I wasn't just dressing for the day; I was preparing for the next step in understanding the man who had so unexpectedly come into my life. The man who, along with his girls, was becoming increasingly important to me.