Chapter 5: The Ceremony Room

I got lost on my way to breakfast.

After a few minutes, a touch of panic squirmed through my middle until I saw a hallway that looked familiar. I was fairly sure this hallway led to another exit to the rear grounds. I could go outside and find the patio door entrance to the kitchen.

My decision made; I got my feet moving until I discovered a heavy, old door standing ajar. Carved into the wood were what looked like words from a strange language.

Grey told me on my tour of the house yesterday that this was the entrance to the basement. He claimed it was always locked, and there was nothing down there except a furnace, mice, and big spiders.

Now the door was open far enough to see the top of a staircase that was a similar, yet smaller version of the grand staircase in the front foyer. I was intrigued and decided to take a quick peek behind the door.

I pulled the door open wide and saw a lighted space below that beckoned me to descend the stairs. I took the stairs slowly, admiring the polished woodwork as my hand glided over the banisters. The details were exquisite. Why put this kind of craftsmanship into a basement?

A few steps from the bottom, my jaw dropped at the sight of the gigantic space that opened in front of me. I stopped on the stairs to gawk at the scene before my eyes. “Wow! What is this place?”

I continued to the bottom and stepped onto a shining marble floor. The enormous room was very clean, and it had to span the area beneath more than half of the house.

At the far end of the room three marble steps led up to a platform large enough to be used as a stage. A carved mahogany bar stretched along another wall, and three plain doors were set in another wall. It reminded me of ritzy hotel venues I’d seen on TV.

The room seemed to welcome me. It emitted good vibes as if it had witnessed many happy memories. I had no fear as I walked closer to the stage and studied the same odd symbols carved around the edges of the platform, along with figures that looked like wolves. Other figures depicted creatures that were half wolf, half human.

I was beginning to see a theme and thought of the howling outside the night before. Were there wolves in the woods that Grey and Lily didn’t want me to know about to prevent me from being scared? I thought it would be better to be forewarned of such creatures near the house. I’d discuss it with Grey.

I took a quick look around the rest of the room and discovered two of the doors led to bathroom/changing rooms. Behind the third door was a storage area. I saw one of the spiders Grey warned me about and decided I wasn’t that curious as to what was behind and inside the boxes and crates.

My curiosity satisfied, I climbed back up to the main level and unlocked the door to the outside. I stepped outside into a splendid early summer morning and forgot all about the basement room.

Nearby rose bushes were beginning to bloom, and an exquisite trellis of morning glory vines were perfuming the air near the door. I threw my head back and spun around in a circle, feeling a joy I’d never known before.

How wonderful to be able to walk outside and see the blue sky, feel the soft fresh air on my face, and smell the perfume of beautiful flowers whenever I wished.

Passing by the swimming pool, I stopped to admire the clear water. It looked so inviting. I really needed to learn how to swim. Maybe Grey or Lily would have time for my first lesson today.

I spotted a pair of sunglasses on the cement apron surrounding the pool and went through the gate to pick them up. They looked expensive. Someone was probably looking for them. As I bent over to retrieve them, a strong hand grabbed my arm.

“What are you doing at the pool by yourself?” Grey’s voice said. “Do you want to drown?”

“Of course not,” I pulled away from his grasp and waved the sunglasses in front of his face. “I saw these and thought somebody might be looking for them.”

Grey avoided my gaze. “You shouldn’t go near the water by yourself until you learn to swim. What if you fell in?””

I shrugged, feeling like a naughty child. But it was nice he cared. “I’m sorry if I alarmed you. But I wasn’t close enough to the water to fall in.”

Grey changed the subject and led me away from the pool. “Did you get some sleep?”

“Yeah, that bed is comfortable,” I said and flashed him a smile. “But I got lost on my way to breakfast. I ended up wandering around until I found a way outside.”

“Is that why you just came out the west wing door?” Grey asked.

“Yep, I thought it would be easier to find the kitchen from outside the house.”

“Good thinking,” Grey said with a smile. “Finding your way around will get easier.”

“I found that door you told me was the basement," I said.

I felt Grey stiffen beside me, but I didn’t understand why.

“It was ajar, so I couldn’t resist taking a peek,” I continued. “Why did you tell me it was just a furnace, mice, and spiders? When I was down there, I saw one spider and a space fit for a king’s coronation.”

“I don’t go into the basement, okay?” he snapped. “Ask your aunt about it. I’ve got work to do.”

His mouth worked as if he wanted to say something else. Instead, he kept his eyes averted from mine and stalked away to the garden.

What had I said? I know I wasn't good at interacting with others, but nothing I said should have had that kind of reaction.

My good mood deflated, I made my way to the patio door and placed the sunglasses on the outdoor table before going inside to the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Lily trilled.

“Morning,” I mumbled. There was no longer anything good about it.

“Didn’t you sleep well, dear?” Aunt Addie asked. “You look pale this morning.”

“I slept okay,” I replied. “I’m pale because I’m never in the sun.” I took a glass of juice from Lily. “Would you spend some time at the pool with me this afternoon? I want to learn how to swim, and Grey just reminded me it’s not smart to go near the water until I learn how.”

Lily’s face blossomed into a big smile. “I’d be glad to teach you.”

“Lily swims like a fish.” Aunt Addie said. “I’m pleased you girls are going to be friends. I was feeling guilty about leaving you, Emma.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assured her. “Tell my Uncle Garrett I said hello. Pick an evening when the two of you can come to supper. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Aunt Addie smiled. “I’ll do that.” She sipped something from a mug. “Why did Grey have a bee in his bonnet this morning? I saw the two of you talking and then him stomp off to the garden.”

“Um … I asked him about the big room in the basement.” I watched my aunt exchange a glance with Lily. “He said to ask you about it.”

“It was called the ceremony room. My parents held social events there,” Aunt Addie said. “My wedding to Garrett was held there. A few years later, your parents were married there too. Both weddings and receptions were splendid. You should see that room when it’s decorated for a wedding.”

I sat down at the table and smiled at the thought of my parents getting married in that huge, elegant room. “What were my grandparents like?”

“Their portrait hangs in the library,” Aunt Addie said. “You look a great deal like my mother. She was kind and caring, a wonderful mother. My father had a terrific sense of humor. He kept everyone around him amused.” She finished her coffee, stood, and walked around the table to give me a hug. “Well, girls, I’m going home. I miss Garrett terribly. You have my cell number, Emma. Call if you need me.”

It had only been a few days since I discovered I had an aunt, but I would miss her. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Lily slid a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of me a moment before Grey came inside.

He said nothing to me and went straight to Lily. "What's up," he said and snitched a piece of bacon from a frying pan on the stove.

I took a sip of my juice and tried to act as if I didn’t care he was ignoring me.

“Did you want breakfast?” Lily asked him.

“Nah, I just stopped in to ask what you’re doing today.” He stuffed the bacon into his mouth and began to chew.

“I’ve got bathrooms to clean and floors to scrub this morning,” Lily replied, “and then this afternoon I’m giving Emma a swimming lesson.”

“Good,” he said, still chewing.

“Addie just left,” Lily told Grey. “Why don’t you make me and Emma your famous barbecue chicken and potato salad for dinner?”

Grey put his arms over his head stretched. “Sure, why not,” he agreed and strolled out the door.