The bed was the most comfortable one I had ever slept in, the covers the softest. As I was gathering my clothes from around the room wondering where Ethan had got to, I found a very significant bit of fabric was missing. I looked everywhere, till with a blush I remembered. Had I really left my underwear outside? Oh dear, that was going to be a source of embarrassment at some point today if anyone found them before I could.

“Ethan?” I called out.

The room replied with silence, he was gone.

I should have been waking up beside him, looking into his eyes and reaffirming everything we had shared the night before. Instead I was left alone and abandoned. Abandoned was perhaps bit harsh, surely he had a good reason. Maybe he would turn up any moment with a romantic breakfast? I decided my best course of action was a nice shower before turning on my panic mode.

Taking my time, I luxuriated in the spray that pummeled my body like a deep tissue massage. The hot water at my apartment would generally have given up by now, but here I could get lost in a soothing hot paradise.

For a moment I imagined Ethan returning and joining me, slipping his hands around my waist and pressing me up against the thick glass. But my fingertips were starting to prune, I couldn’t wait forever and eventually admitted defeat and stepped out. There was still no sign of my husband when I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in the luxurious towels that were available.

I rummaged around and found my discarded phone. It flashed on as I picked it up and clicked the side. I hoped for a message from Ethan, but the only notification was a battery warning. I tapped to find his number but as I did the screen blacked out. I hunted around the room for a charger, but to no avail. With my communications cut off I was feeling increasingly isolated in these strange surroundings.

I got dressed in yesterday’s clothes—it was a little breezy down there—and cursed our haste the day before. My little overnight bag was still in Ethan’s car. But we’d been so preoccupied with each other that it had gone overlooked. Peering from the window I tried to figure out my next move, what would await me out there?

Perhaps Ethan was busy around the estate waiting to be discovered. But the idea of marching around the place on my own only made me nervous. How awkward would it look if I went around asking where the man I claimed to be my fiancé was? Maybe I should just run from room to room yelling his name in the desperate hope I would find him before I was thrown out of the place. But, I didn’t even know for sure he was here.

“Damn it Ethan, where did you go?”

Enough was enough. I wasn’t a wallflower. I had lingered in the room long enough. There was nothing for it but to venture out. I poked my head out of the door hesitantly, all was quiet. I headed down the back stairs expecting to be ambushed and questioned by someone at any moment.

But the place was tranquil. I wandered through the down stairs rooms retracing what I could remember from Ethan’s brief tour. Finally, civilization! I could hear sounds from the large kitchen as I approached. I stood still for a moment plucking up the courage to enter. I took a deep breath, it was now or never.

“Good morning, miss. Hope you slept well. My name’s Gertrude, but you can call me Gertie. I’m the housekeeper here. Ethan said I should look out for you, though I didn’t know if you wanted to be disturbed. Well don’t just stand there, child. Come in, take a seat. Could I get you some coffee? How about some eggs? I can make you anything you want.”

“Er, yes please, eggs and coffee would be great. Thank you, Gertie.” I sat down with a sense of relief. I was glad of the friendly face and someone who could vouch for me being here. Not to mention the delight at being waited on. I thanked Gertie as a steaming cup of aromatic coffee was presented to me. I could get used to this kind of life.

“Do you know where Ethan is?”

“Ah, yes. He’s at the hospital with his mother. Nothing too serious, so don’t worry. She took a tumble. They should be back soon enough.”

I finished up my breakfast and thanked Gertie again.

“I think I’ll walk the grounds and get a little air,” I said, though it felt more like I was asking permission. My role as the commanding heiress wasn’t entirely convincing yet.

“Certainly, it’s another beautiful day,” replied Gertrude clearing away my plate. “You just let me know if you want me to bring you out some lemonade.”

With a smile and a full belly I strolled out into the sun. My first thought had to be retracing my steps to the scene of our activities the night before. Maybe I could reclaim my underwear before it was discovered. I pictured a gardener parading them through the estate on the end of a broom, hollering for the owner to come get them. That would be a fine first impression. Luckily, when I got there, things were as we had left them. I snatched up the dusty panties and, after a quick shake, slipped them into the pocket of my yellow dress.

Feeling a little braver, and more sure of myself now that my dignity was saved, I ventured off down the paths enjoying the morning sun, following them wherever they led me. I stepped out from between the shrubberies onto a large open pavilion. This seemed to be an older part of the estate, a tall barn at one side looked in a bit of disrepair, but still serviceable. The doors were ajar and unable to help myself I peeked inside the cool interior. It was a little worn down, but to my eye it looked perfect. The words shabby and chic springing to mind. Back outside I toured the barn, my head tilted, examining every detail it had to offer. The view from the doors, looking outwards was magnificent. A panoramic unobstructed view of the valley. Perfect for a special day… My mind was running away with the potential. A wedding venue in the making, I was sure of it.

My mind continued to envision elaborate ceremonies, how the surroundings could be dressed, and the beautiful brides and gorgeous grooms that could get married here, as I headed back up toward the villa. I steered round the front of the south wing to the main entrance in the hope I would spot Ethan returning. With the thought of his mother I stopped beside a flower bed. It was brimming with delightful purple flowers and I couldn’t resist picking a small bunch, it could be a nice gesture for when she returned. It wouldn’t do any harm to get on her good side.

When I turned the corner around the end of the building there was no sign of Ethan’s car. What I did find however was a man jogging toward me. He was in a tracksuit that was just a little too small for his pudgy frame. He slowed when he saw me and approached. He looked oddly familiar. But the more I stared at him, the more I couldn’t place him.

“There she is, the notorious Peach.”

“Hi,” I said cheerily, offering my hand, “I don’t think we’ve met?”

The man ignored my gesture and stood, hands on hips, catching his breath.

“You look to be enjoying your time here.”

“Yes, thank you. This place is lovely.”

“Well, don’t get too comfy—” he said, but was cut off from whatever else he was about to say when Ethan’s car pulled up beside us. Ethan lowered his window and called out to me.

“Peach, hey. I’m so sorry I had an emergency. Hop in, come up to the entrance with us.

The unpleasant man muttered to me, his voice low and venomous. “They will all see through your charade soon enough. I’ll show them who you really are, you could save yourself a lot of anguish if you just leave now.”

With that he jogged on. I hopped into Ethan’s car a little unsettled. Who was this man? What did he know about me? Before I could ask, Ethan was talking again.

“Peach, please meet my mom, Dorothy.”

“Hello there, dear,” said Ethan’s mother from the front seat.

“Hi, Mrs. Dalton. Er, I was picking these for you. I hope you’re feeling okay?” I said holding up my hand full of blooms.

“Well, thank you, isn’t that quaint?” she said. “Very thoughtful. Quite the sweetheart you have there,” she directed to Ethan.

“Yes, you could say that,” said Ethan grinning at me in the mirror. But I was still too unsettled by the disturbing words the jogger had said, to return Ethan’s smile.