Chapter 80 - Eighty
As Suzy ascended the grand staircase, her mind raced with a million thoughts. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Reaching her room, she was greeted by a pleasant surprise. The room was larger than she remembered, with a comfortable-looking bed and a sitting area by the window. Doris had already unpacked her belongings and hung her dresses in the wardrobe.
"Countess Helene has upgraded your room, Milady," Doris explained, her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and admiration.
Suzy nodded, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. Why the sudden generosity? What was Countess Helene up to?
Doris continued. "The Duke will be spending the night here as well," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Suzy’s heart skipped a beat. Sharing a room with Ryan? Again? After everything that had happened? It was too much to comprehend.
"I’ll leave you to freshen up, Milady," Doris said, her voice soft. "If you need anything, just call."
Suzy nodded, her gaze fixed on the imposing four-poster bed. The thought of sharing that space with Ryan was both terrifying and strangely exciting.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Count Edmund was persuading Ryan to spend the night. "It’s not safe to travel at night, my son," he said, his voice filled with concern. "You can leave in the morning."
Ryan hesitated, his mind a battleground of conflicting emotions. He wanted to be with Suzy, to spend more time with her, to understand the complex woman she was becoming. But he also knew that spending the night under the same roof could lead to complications.
"Very well, Count Edmund," he finally said, his voice resigned. "I’ll stay."