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�Do come in, Madam,� the butler announced with some show of concern.
Kate stepped into the back mudroom and shivered from dampness. The butler closed the door behind her. She continued to shiver. �I need to call the police. It�s urgent.�
The butler stared at her a moment as if unable to comprehend her statement. �Can I get you a drink? You look as though you could use one. Perhaps some dry clothing?�
Kate slowly nodded while continuing to shiver.
�If you�d follow me,� the butler announced, �I�ll take you to one of the back rooms where you can change out of those wet clothing.�
The butler turned and left the mudroom. Kate slowly followed after him. She looked down to the white marble floor then behind her and the trail of mud she was leaving behind. They walked halfway through the kitchen when a handsome man in a hand tailored tuxedo entered the kitchen through a set of swinging doors.
�Parker,� he announced while entering. �Where�s that Champaign?� The man saw Kate and stopped abruptly in his tracks. His surprised look was quickly replaced with a warm, pleasant smile. �Sorry, Parker. I hadn�t realized you were taking care of another guest.� The man approached Kate and looked her over with pale blue eyes. �Ralin Brucker,� he announced and extended his hand.
Kate extended a trembling, dirty hand. She looked at her hand then pulled it back with embarrassment. �Kate Harford,� she replied timidly.
Ralin looked to Parker. �Draw the young lady a bath and find her something suitable to change into.� Ralin looked back to Kate. �What exactly happened to you?� Ralin asked with a tiny smile. �And how on Earth did you end up on my doorstep?�
�It�s a long story,� Kate said gently. �I need to contact the police. I cracked my car, and there�s a man following me.�
Ralin appeared intrigued. �You�ll be safe here,� Ralin announced then laughed in his throat. �I promise you that.�
�Can I use your phone?� she asked more firmly.
Ralin stared at her in the same manner as Parker had. A tiny smile crossed his face. �Actually, I don�t believe in phones,� he replied simply. �Parker will see that you�re made comfortable, find you something appropriate to wear, and give you a room for the night. Tomorrow morning, we�ll see you safely to where ever it is you wish to go.�
�Isn�t there some way to contact town?� Kate asked with a look of concern. �I really need to notify the police. That man��
�As long as you�re here, you don�t need to worry about that man,� Ralin stated simply. �The best thing for you is to stay here until morning.�
�The other woman might be hurt,� Kate attempted to explain. �She may need an ambulance.�
�Who�s the other woman?� Ralin asked curiously.
Kate hesitated. �A co-worker of mine.�
�A friend of the man chasing you?� he asked simply.
Kate nodded.
Ralin forced a tiny smile. �I don�t think she requires your concern. Helping her may bring further harm to you. I suggest a nice, hot bath and a change of clothing. I�ll be back to check on you in an hour.�
Parker approached with a bottle of champagne. Ralin took the bottle and left the kitchen. Parker turned to Kate and extended his hand toward the staff wing. �This way, Madam.�
Kate dried off her hair and entered the bedroom portion of the room wearing a borrowed robe. A black evening dress lie across the bed along with a pair of shoes and stockings. Kate eyed the dress with concern.
�What sort of place is this?� she asked softly to herself. There was a soft knock on the door. Kate quickly approached the door and opened it. An older woman in a maid uniform stood in the doorway with a pleasant smile upon her plump face.
�Lord Brucker sent me to assist you, Madam,� the maid said in a husky voice.
�Lord Brucker?� Kate whispered softly. She allowed the woman to enter the room and closed the door behind her. �I don�t understand what�s going on around here. Why was I brought an evening dress?�
�His Lordship thought you�d feel better if you attended the party,� the maid replied cheerfully and approached the gown. She turned to face Kate. �I do hope you�re feeling better after your ordeal�poor child.�
Kate�s head was swimming. She shook her head and looked back at the woman. �I�d feel better if I could notify the police�it�s been a long night already.�
�You�re perfectly safe here,� the maid replied simply and picked up the gown. She turned to face Kate while collecting the gown to slip over Kate�s head. �Save those unpleasant matters for the morning.�
Kate stared at the pleasant woman. �His Lordship would be disappointed if I didn�t attend, wouldn�t he?�
�Oh�very,� the maid replied dramatically.
Kate nodded then rubbed her temple. �This is a bad sign,� she muttered softly. �What sort of party is he hosting?�
The maid became giddy with glee. �His sister just married. We�re all very excited�even if she did marry outside of her nationality.�
Kate sat before the vanity while the maid, Helena, fixed her hair in a French twist. Kate applied some make-up and watched the older woman behind her applying bobby pin after bobby pin.
�Plenty of single men downstairs,� Helena chirped pleasantly. �I noticed you weren�t wearing a ring.�
�After the night I�ve had, I�m not really in the mood to manhunt,� Kate said simply.
�You�ll change your mind, I promise,� Helena said with a giggle. �Very refined, prominent men. All well-off, if I may say so.�
�Tell me about Lord Brucker,� Kate said and eyed the woman through the mirror for a reaction.
Helena�s expression didn�t change. She continued to cheerfully apply bobby pins to Kate�s hair. �Oh, His Lordship is a fine catch, indeed! He�s so handsome�don�t you think? Of course you do, or you wouldn�t have inquired about him.�
