“Everything!” Rune put her hands on her knees and gasped for breath. “And oh, God, here comes Her Highness again to complain that her greenhouse isn’t repaired and her orchids are suffering. Priorities, lady. Priorities!”

True, Angelica Lindholm was steaming down the same path her assistant had run up. Her linen starchiness stood in contrast to Rune’s wild froth of scarves, fringes and coins, and Elle and Adam’s casual California attire.

“She’s going to wither me with another stunned reproach,” Rune moaned.

Instead, Angelica stopped at the edge of the dais and smiled up at Elle and Adam. “How delightful that you’ve come to visit. Won’t you come to the house and enjoy some refreshment? I’d love to give you a tour.”

Again the entire grounds quieted. An incredulous murmur arose, then at a signal from Eric, died away, and the hammering resumed, although at a lower decibel level as everyone strained to hear.

Elle looked at Adam, surprised and uncertain. “Um, sure. That would be interesting. Adam? Shall we?”

He nodded. “Sure. I’ve been here five-plus years and never been inside the Tower.”

Elle shot him a Shut up scowl and added a What’s wrong with you? glare.

Adam wandered down the steps, offered Elle his hand and helped her down. “Lead the way,” he said to Angelica.

To Rune, Angelica said, “If you need any help, ask my assistant.” As Veda rushed up, Angelica added, “Veda will do whatever you ask. Won’t you, Veda?”

“Yes, Miss Lindholm, if you want me to.” Veda sounded as gobsmacked as anyone at this new direction. Surely Angelica demanded efficiency from her assistants, and before the end of the day, Rune would be breathing easier.

Rune’s eyes narrowed as she turned to Veda. “Right. Let’s get this done.”

Adam gestured for Angelica and Elle to proceed up the winding path, and he followed, his hand hovering under Elle’s elbow. In a voice pitched to reach her ears only, he said, “You’ve lost your job as Rune’s festival assistant.”

Out the side of her mouth, she said, “I think you’re right.”

Angelica started talking, tossing information back to them like an experienced tour guide. She told them about Maeve Lindholm choosing this location, the house’s square footage, the famed decorator who had furnished it, and the exotic 1930s Hollywood galas. Elle listened and murmured appropriate replies while avoiding Adam’s gaze because...damn, this was weird.

At the top of the trail, Elle paused to look, and the gardens and mansion took her breath away. The mansion itself ranged between one and three stories, building toward the four-story Tower on one end. Ornate carvings along the roofline decorated the sandstone facade. Wicker furniture offered an invitation to relax on the wide veranda.