*Anna*

We have barely gotten inside when Kai joins us. “Go on into the parlor and make yourself comfortable”.

I leave them there, with him giving instructions to the porter … Jones, he had called him earlier. For some reason it seems important to remember that. I didn’t view the parlor the other night; it hadn’t been part of my private tour. Dark wood paneling and dark red velvet chairs with fringe dangling from the seats make the room seem at once both masculine and feminine. I choose a chair near the fireplace where no fire burns. A chill sweeps through me. I have been silly to insist on another...