Pride & Pleasure (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 1) by Rhonda Lee Carver Read Free Book Online Page B

Monroe stayed in that very suite when Fitzgerald Lemure owned the place.”
    “Fitzgerald Lemure?”
    “Yes. He lived here all of his life, was quite the playboy. When he passed the property was sold to the Knight family.” Max stopped at the first step on the stairs and pointed at a large portrait of a stern-looking, mustached man who had black hair laced with silver threads. “This is Theobald Knight, Victor’s father.”
    “Mr. Knight looks just like him.”
    “Yes, they do.” Max started up the large, winding staircase. “I was a fairly young man when I first started here, when all of the Knight children were still running through the halls and skinning their knees. Theobald was a force to be reckoned with, without a doubt, but a good man. Under all of that personality was a beating heart as pure as gold, just broken by his unfortunate plight. He’d never gotten over the death of his wife, Rose. She was the love of his life and he never did figure out what to do with all of the pain. I must say, she was a ray of sunshine, bringing life to this place, making her children happy, and when she died a lot of the joy went with her. You could almost see the innocence leave their faces.”
    She followed behind Max, admiring another large portrait of a lovely red-headed woman. “So Victor gets his fluffy personality after his father?”
    “Not entirely. His gene pool was saved by his adoring mother, keeping him from being the devil’s spawn.” Max winked and smiled, then turned to the woman’s portrait. “God rest her soul. I do believe she was the glue that kept everything together.” He took out a handkerchief and delicately wiped the already clean frame. “I keep saying that our dear boy Victor will find someone who’ll show him the love that his parents shared. Stubborn man he is.” He continued into the hallway.
    “Angelina? How does she fit into all of this?”
    There was a long hesitation and she swore she saw moisture in Max’s eye. “She looks just like Miss Rose. Same spirit. Kind and loving. You’ll really like her, I’m sure. Ah, here we are, Miss Pine.” He stopped at a closed door and pushed it open. “Please take a look and see if it meets your approval.”
    Avary stepped in and her mouth dropped. The room was magnificent. From the royal purple tufted headboard to the matching layered sheets and throw, to the exquisite wall décor and the Persian rug that covered over half of the polished wood floor, it was all luxurious. Stepping up to the window, she looked out over the view of the water. She could almost hear the rippling of the waves against the rocks and dock.
    “As you see, your belongings are here. Is there anything else I can get you before I leave you to yourself?”
    “I’m fine. But thank you.”
    “Dinner is at eight. I will come and get you to show you the way, madam.” He smiled and dipped his head.
    “Is it okay if I call you Max?” she asked.
    He hesitated. “Certainly.”
    “Then please call me Avary.”
    “As you wish.” He closed the door behind him.
    Alone, she scanned the décor once again. This room wasn’t anything like the rest of the house she’d seen. It was elegantly comfy and so inviting. She could fit three of her bedrooms back home here in this huge space. She couldn’t wait to crawl in between the sheets. It helped her forget the rudeness of the host—some.
    Realizing she only had a half hour before Max would be back to get her for dinner, she opened her suitcase and her mouth fell open in shock. Inside she found all new clothes, neatly folded, with the tags still on. A note sat on top. Picking it up, Avary read her sister’s neat penmanship.
    “I knew if I told you what I’d done, you would have refused the offer. You can pay me back by being happy. In the meantime, live life and enjoy yourself. It’s not every day you get to spend a weekend in a mansion. Love you, Dawn. P.S. Wear the blue tonight.”
    How could she ever thank her sister