Blue (Paperback)

Pages : 428
ISBN : 9781838164355
Weight : 406g
Dimensions : 203 x 24 x 127 mm

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- Sapphic romance
- Forced proximity
- Cancer
- At sea

The preparations for the night ahead were in full swing as Celia roamed the dark corridors of the medieval Krügerner Castle in search of someone who could lend her a blow-dryer. All doors were open, airing the spacious guestrooms that were decorated with lavish fabrics and wallpapers, and filled with antique furniture. Maids in traditional black and white uniforms were rushing in and out with towels and linens, preparing the rooms for the annual summer ball.
Coming here was like going back in time. Celia liked the smell of damp in the old walls, and the sound of the floorboards creaking under her feet when it was quiet at night. Many would find it creepy, but this place was her home away from home, and she was genuinely excited to be back again. Although the winters here were spectacular, with snow-covered mountains and crisp air, summer was her favorite time of the year in Switzerland. It smelled fresh and green, and the lake that stretched along the back yard lay still, shimmering in the sun. The white roses that grew up against the walls gave the castle a romantic touch, and especially at night, it looked spectacular when the facade was lit up by spotlights.
The impressive property in Lucerne, Switzerland, was owned by her uncle, an eccentric aristocrat who despite being semi-retired, also happened to be one of the biggest art dealers in the world. Since Celia was family, she was one of the lucky few who always had a room waiting for her, and after visiting since her childhood, she knew the castle inside out. The interior hadn’t changed much over the past twenty years, as Dieter Krügerner liked everything to be original, down to the smallest details. Sometimes that meant comfort had to give a little. There was no central heating in the hallways or corridors, and it was cool inside, even in the midst of summer.
Celia buried her hands deep in the pockets of the black velvet robe, her family crest embroidered in a dazzling gold thread over the left side of her chest. Her hair was wrapped in a towel as she’d just come out of the shower, and she was barefoot, allowing the deep red nail polish on her toes to dry. She was still recovering from jet lag, after arriving from New York yesterday, but the two-hour nap had perked her up a little, and she was excited for the night ahead and keen to get ready.
“Can I help you, Frau Krügerner?” One of the maids asked her.
Celia pointed to the trolley that the maid was pushing toward the next room, holding appliances and a variety of toiletries. “Yes please, Lina. Can I take one of those blow-dryers?”
“Of course.” Lina handed her one. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you, I have everything in my room.” Celia smiled at her. “Have any of the other guests arrived yet?”
“Not yet.” It wasn’t the maid who answered, but her uncle who had snuck up on them. He was wearing a velvet robe too; his, a deep green that matched his padded slippers.
“Uncle Dieter!” Celia flew around his neck and gave him a long hug. “It’s so good to see you again. Sorry I missed you last night; my flight was delayed.”
“Good to see you too, kiddo.” He squeezed Celia so hard that she could barely breathe. “You should have come a couple of days earlier like I asked you to. Her ladyship will be here soon, so the peace will be short-lived.” The cheeky undertone in his voice as he referred to his sister-in-law—Celia’s mother—hadn’t gone unnoticed, and they both laughed.
“Believe me, I wanted to, but I had a problem with one of my shipments and I wanted to solve the issue so I could relax while I was here.” Celia only saw her mother a couple of times a year, and the summer ball was one of the occasions she had to put up with her demanding and irrational behavior. The woman was simply impossible, and so was her brother, who was always at her heel. “I heard she’s bringing a date,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Poor man. Or perhaps I should say poor boy, as I doubt he’s a day older than twenty-five; that seems to be her limit these days.”
“I’m sure the poor boy knows what he’s getting himself into.” Her uncle narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. “But speaking of dates, I see you’ve come alone this year, and that’s a first.”
“I didn’t feel like company.”
“Or maybe you were hoping to reacquaint yourself with someone here?” He paused. “Erin, perhaps? She’s confirmed her attendance.”
Heat rose to Celia’s cheeks just at the mention of Erin. Her uncle was right; the woman she’d met here last year had been on her mind ever since, and Celia was secretly hoping she’d see her again. Nothing had happened between them, as they’d both brought a date, but that one dance they’d shared had stayed with her like it was yesterday. The way Erin had held her; tight and possessively… She’d never been held like that. Even after the song had finished, they’d lingered in the middle of the dance floor until Erin’s girlfriend had pulled her away for the next dance. Celia suspected she’d spotted the instant attraction that had sparked between them that night, no doubt aware of the way Erin’s fingers were caressing her back, and how her hands had lowered to pull her in closer.
“No. I’m genuinely happy with my own company,” Celia lied after a passing maid pulled her out of her thoughts, and she chuckled when her uncle’s lips stretch into a knowing smile. “Besides, the last time I saw Erin she had a girlfriend. A very beautiful girlfriend,” she added, thinking of the cute blonde who had been on Erin’s arm. Not only was she tall and stunning, Celia had also learned that she was a civil rights lawyer in the brief conversation they’d had, and there was no way she could compete with that.
“I don’t think it was very serious between them,” her uncle said casually.
“Really?” Celia nervously fiddled with the buttons on the blow-dryer. “Do you mean she’s single now?”
“I knew it. You were smitten then and you still are; I can see it all over your face. You never could hide anything from me.” Her uncle laughed, holding onto his belly. Extravert, overweight, bald, and with a rugged, white beard, he was larger than life in all senses, but for the first time in decades, he was looking slimmer and his face even looked a little gaunt. “I’m not sure about her current status. I guess you’ll just have to wait and find out.” He scratched his shiny scalp and shot her a challenging grin, knowing he was driving her crazy with his relentless teasing. Erin and her uncle were good friends, and there was no way he wasn’t informed about her dating life.
“Okay, I confess, I might have found her somewhat attractive,” Celia admitted with a smirk. She looked him up and down, now noticing he really did look significantly different. “Have you lost weight?”
“I have, can you tell? I stopped dieting altogether and guess what? The weight just started dropping off.” He spread his arms and shrugged. “Anyway, it’s a beautiful day, so let’s not linger here in the dark. Care to join me for breakfast by the lake?”