And that was exactly what happened.
Gabi drew a hot bath and was very liberal with the salts.Floral scents floated in the air as Adalyn was scrubbed until she glowed.Hair was styled elegantly.Make-up flawless.She slipped a flowing white dress over her head that fit her like a glove.
“Why white?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Gabi replied.“I was sent a complete list of lunches, dinners and galas and the corresponding color you need to wear.The luncheon today is white.And, oh, my gosh!You are absolutely beautiful.”
Adalyn turned to examine herself in the full-length mirror.Somehow her grey eyes looked bigger.Luminescent.The elegant up-do accentuated her neck.Gabi managed a miracle by turning her into someone elegant and refined.
She was so nervous she felt like she was going to throw up.
“Hey,” Gabi said.“Are you okay?”
“I just...I’m so nervous.”
“Stop, please.”Gabi took hold of her hands.“Take a deep breath.Hold.Relax.Again.Listen, you are going to do awesome.You’re going to smile and have fun, and if you get too nervous, just take a deep breath and remember Marm Scarlet.”
Adalyn giggled.“Will do.”
A knock sounded on the door and Gabi opened it before stepping back to show an immaculately dressed man in a black formal day suit consisting of morning coat, waistcoat, and striped gray trousers.He gave a bow.
“I am here to escort Miss Adalyn Dawber to the luncheon.”
“Thank you,” Adalyn said, then gave Gabi a quick hug before following after the steward.
When she stepped out of her room, she noticed other women being led by household staff.Most of them smiled at her and she smiled back.It was interesting to see the bevy of women, and a few men, all dressed in white but wearing different designs.The age group varied from young to very old.As they continued toward lunch, she noticed one woman staring at her, and even from her distance saw the blatant malice in her eyes.It unnerved her a little, so she tried blocking the woman out of her mind.
All were led to a massive hall on the fourth floor, where tables and chairs were set up, and servers moved between them effortlessly.It looked like mass chaos and she felt like she was trying to stay afloat in a tsunami.She had no idea where she was supposed to go.
“You look lost.”
Adalyn turned.A very pretty woman had her head cocked and kindness radiated from her warm brown eyes.
“Is it that obvious?”she asked.
“Only to someone who didn’t know what the heck she was doing.I had my thrall ceremony last year.”
“Oh, congratulations.Anything I should know?”
“Only that you’ll be extremely horny when it’s over.”She laughed.“Your vamp will carry a chalice filled with some aphrodisiac oil in it, he’ll mix it with a little of his blood, and then after you two will fuck like bunnies.”
Heat engulfed Adalyn’s cheeks.“We haven’t had problems in that area.”
The woman linked their arms together, guiding her between tables.“Good to know.Vamps are energic in bed, aren’t they?I’m Faye, by the way.”
“Adalyn.”
“Oh,” Faye said, eyes wide.“You’re to be Lord Huntley’s thrall.”
“How did you know that?”
Faye leaned in close.“Gossip is the money of choice around here.”
“I see.Good to know.”
“Don’t worry, you’re only fascinating because Lord Huntley has never had a thrall.That makes you a unicorn.”
“I like unicorns,” Adalyn said enthusiastically.“I don’t mind being compared to one.”
