“Predictable?” he asks. “By no means!”

We admire the automobile for a minute, then the chauffeur comes to satisfy us and provides us the historical past of the mannequin. A Rolls-Royce Phantom III convertible, as soon as owned by the visionary who constructed this magical place.

“We could?” Percival asks, extending his hand in direction of the automobile door. With a nod, I slide into the luxurious leather-based seat, my coronary heart pounding with anticipation. Percival follows swimsuit, settling in beside me.

As we glide alongside the winding street, I steal glances at Percival, making an attempt to piece collectively the person he actually is beneath his assured exterior.

“Are you having enjoyable but?” he asks, a teasing grin on his face.

“Greater than I might have ever imagined,” I admit, my phrases stuffed with emotion. The tour, the sweatshirt, the automobile—each element contributes to this particular second, and I really feel my partitions crumbling down round me.

“Good,” Percival says, his eyes alight with happiness. “As a result of there’s a lot extra to return.”

As we proceed in direction of Hearst Citadel, I permit myself to be swept up within the magic of the journey, all of the whereas questioning what different surprises await us—and what which means for the rising connection between Percival and me. The solar kisses my face, warming my pores and skin as we pace in direction of our vacation spot.

“Is driving actually this wonderful?” I blurt out earlier than I can cease myself. Percival chuckles, his eyes crinkling on the corners as he turns to face me.

“Nothing fairly prefer it,” he replies, his gaze stuffed with exhilaration. “Why? You interested by studying?”

“Perhaps,” I admit sheepishly, feeling my cheeks warmth up. “However first, Aunt Orla’s automobile isn’t in the very best form, and I’m undecided in the event that they’d even let somebody like me drive right here in California.”

“Somebody such as you?” Percival raises an eyebrow, a touch of problem in his gaze. “You imply somebody who’s clever, impartial, and completely beautiful?”

I roll my eyes, making an attempt to cover my embarrassment. “I meant somebody who’s deaf, dummy.”

“Ah, gotcha.” He nods, wanting considerate for a second. “Properly, I don’t see why not. You’re greater than succesful. Apart from, driving is all about feeling the street beneath you, the vibrations of the engine. It’s like dancing—feeling the rhythm and transferring with it.”

His phrases stir one thing inside me, igniting a spark of hope and pleasure. I by no means considered it that method earlier than, and it makes me crave that sense of freedom and independence much more.

As we proceed our journey, I steal glances at Percival, admiring the way in which the daylight performs throughout the planes of his face, casting him in an virtually ethereal glow. Regardless of his status, there’s a kindness and depth to him that I can not deny. My coronary heart flutters with every stolen look, and I discover myself falling deeper below his spell.

“Hey, Spencer,” Percival says out of the blue, his hand on mine pulling me out of my ideas. “In order for you, I might educate you tips on how to drive.”

“Actually?” My eyes widen in shock, and I can’t assist the grin that spreads throughout my face. “I don’t learn about that.” After this journey ends, does he wish to spend time with me?

“The supply is open. I’d be joyful to do it,” he replies, flashing that charming smile that all the time manages to disarm me. “Simply promise me one factor—no sweatshirts behind the wheel, alright?”

“Deal,” I agree, laughing as we proceed down the winding street in direction of Hearst Citadel, our day solely simply starting.

Chapter Nineteen

Spencer

The second we step into the Hearst Citadel, my coronary heart races with anticipation. I can see Percival’s eyes mild up as he watches my response, his charming smile spreading throughout his face. He deliberate this whole VIP tour only for me, and I really feel a thrill of pleasure on the considered exploring this historic place with him by my facet.

“Spencer, you’re going to like this,” he indicators, his enthusiasm contagious. “That is Casa Grande, impressed by the Church of Santa María la Mayor in Ronda, Spain. It’s the centerpiece of Hearst’s property.”

The air round us buzzes with pleasure as Percival leads me additional into the fort, his hand gently holding mine. The surroundings transport me to a different world, one the place I can virtually neglect my worries and easily lose myself within the second.

“Spencer,” Percival indicators, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’ve organized one thing particular for you throughout this tour.”

My coronary heart flutters at his phrases, and a surge of gratitude for the trouble he’s put into making this expertise unforgettable fills up my chest. “What’s it? Extra essential, how for much longer should I wait?” I signal again, unable to maintain the curiosity from my expression.

“It’s excellent right here,” he replies, a playful smirk on his lips.

A tall man, round my age, come to say hello. It knocks the wind out of my lungs when Ben, our information, begins speaking utilizing ASL. I’m about to say one thing, however Percival stops me, pointing along with his chin to the place the place Ben is welcoming us to the Citadel.

As we observe Ben by the lavish rooms, I immerse myself within the sensory feast surrounding me. Every room tells a narrative, from the ornate tapestries adorning the partitions to the intricate carvings etched into the stone fireplaces. The tour information’s arms circulate gracefully, portray a vivid image of the historical past and structure that make this place so extraordinary.

Supply: www.seynovel.com