Chapter 6

Ralph first walked her around the gardens. It was filled with a variety of orchids, bougainvillea, hibiscus, Plumeria, and ferns. She watched hummingbirds feed on colorful heliconia and delicate butterflies flit from flower to flower. Towering palms flanked the walkway which was made of shiny pebbles inlaid with glass stones. She listened to birds chirping overhead and inhaled the heady perfume of exotic blooms. Lora couldn't believe how bright it was in the garden. It was a very dark night and the garden was the only area lit. It was almost like entering a fairytale land. In the midst of the garden was a low shrubbery labyrinth and after that, beautiful rose bushes of different colors made the final path to the magnificent chateau fragrant and appealing.

The chateau was something you definitely wouldn't have thought to see on an island such as Barbados. It was inspired by Old English castles. It was huge. Ralph walked her to the big oak door of the heavy stone structure. The seal on the door read MONTILLA in gold. Ralph opened the door and led her into the foyer. He sat her down on an elegantly padded, sable-covered bench and took her shoes from her. He put her on a pair of mink fur slippers.

"Oh, no," Lora exclaimed.

"What? Ralph inquired.

"You are spoiling me already and I haven't even entered your home."

"Don't worry, it gets better."

"I don't know if I can handle it."

"Then let yourself go.'' He helped her up and led her into the great room. All she could say was wow. The room was immaculate. Its rich blue-colored walls looked like the sky flowing in. The ceiling was high with a large glass chandelier hanging smartly. Gold benches trimmed in blue velvet and oak end tables encircled the space. The room was circular and in the center of the house, giving the house an open airy feel. The floor was marble and the windows in the ceiling were large. The light flooded into the house perfectly. There was a spiral staircase that circled the great room and split in two directions at the top. Ralph took her through the whole house except up the left stairs. He told her that that wing of the house was off-limits because of a fire. He didn't want to take her up there because it was unsafe. Every room was set in just a way that it could have been a showplace and branched off the great room.

He showed her the conservatory. It was white with a floral mural on the walls. There were several sets of sitting arrangements surrounding a grand piano. "This was my mother's entertainment room. We have had many dances here."

"That had to be wonderful. I dream and read about places like this. I never thought I would be in one."

"I hope I can make some of your other dreams come true." Ralph looked straight into Lora's eyes. All Lora could do was smile. "Let's see the rest."

Next, he headed her into a study. It was painted pale green and furnished in dark mahogany. The bookshelves went from floor to ceiling and were full of books. A large window with a large telescope was at the far end of the room. "My father was a stargazer. He loved to sit in here and look at the stars. He would actually chart them."

He then took her to the memorabilia room. His family's history was on the walls and in trophy cases. Artistry and tapestry hung around the room. It was brilliantly lit and the burgundy carpeting was very unobtrusive.

When they got to the dining room, she was surprised to see an elegant dinner on the table. The room was magnificent. Walls of oak and mirrors trimmed in gold set off an enormous glass ceiling. The external wall was entirely glass and opened into the back garden and the beach behind it. Any lights in the room were hidden. The emerald green floors made Lora feel like she was outdoors. She could feel the breezes flowing through the room and smell the scent of flowers. It was breathtaking. A large oak table with a lace tablecloth, crystal dishes, and sterling silverware sat in the middle of the room with a China case sitting off to one side. The case was filled with hand-painted China. They ate a meal of lobster tail, muffins, garden salad, seafood soup, sorbet, and red velvet cake. She loved the way things were set. If he was trying to sweep her off her feet, he had succeeded. They ate dinner and he told her about himself. He explained who he was and how he came to have such a rich house. Ralph inherited most of his money when his grandfather died and made the rest by importing and exporting products to the states. His father died in Ecuador as a drug officer and his mother died in childbirth. His grandmother died three years before his grandfather. He told her that he was an only child. When they finished their meal, they continued the tour of the house.

"Maybe I should take you back to the hotel." They walked into the den.

"Ready to get rid of me already?" She asked as she sat on a bear skin rug next to the fireplace. She loved this room. It was cozy and dark (the only dark room in the house) with only the light coming from the fireplace. All the furniture was dark in color. The only bright spot was the bear skin rug that she chose for her seat. As she stroked the rugged Ralph walked over to the fireplace and leaned on the edge.

"No. I just didn't want you to think I invited you out here for one thing." He replied looking down at her. "Besides, aren't I on a time limit?

"What one thing are you talking about?" She asked teasingly. "Where's a phone?" Ralph gave Lora the phone and she called to check-in.

"Hi, Lora, what's up? Tracy answered. "You want to know what?" Lora could hear Denise and Myena in the background. "Myena, you might have to hear this yourself." Tracy said while putting the phone on speaker.

"Hey, Lora, what is it or do I need to ask? You can stay. Sure, I trust you." Shrieks of screams went out from behind Myena. "No, don't worry about it, I am the only one you have to check in with. It is o.k. I hope you have as much fun as we are about to have. Well, since you are out we are going to go to a college dance so there will be no questions. You have fun now. Before Myena could hang up the phone, Tracy and Denise yelled, "Don't do anything we wouldn't do." Laughter filled the air.

"Now we have all the time in the world," Lora stated when she got off the phone. "What was that one thing?"