well-worn counters made of thick hardwood. A large, surprisingly homey kitchen for such a grand villa.
The air was filled with the aromas of rich tomato sauce simmering on the stove and the yeasty smell of bread rising. The conversation was all in Italian which made Sabrina feel less necessary or useful than ever. The girls went to bed early or at least went to their room and closed the door behind them. When she knocked, and suggested a board game they said, “We are too tired, dear Ms. West. Good-night. Nanny Chisholm always went to bed early.”
Sabrina stood there staring at the closed door. How could she compete with their other nanny unless she left them alone? She hadn’t come all this way to do that. She was at a loss. If she thought they’d be impressed by her handling of the snake or her willingness to keep it a secret from their father, she’d say her first day had been a success, but who knew? She couldn’t talk to the prince. He didn’t want to be bothered. And he knew less than she did about how to manage his daughters. Besides, he wasn’t there. She had no idea what time he normally came home. So she went to her room and sent an e-mail message to Bettina.
“Things are going well. The prince and I are in agreement about how to prepare the girls for private school. I shall begin the lessons tomorrow. The Lake Country is delightful and the accommodations are pleasant."
She didn’t want to rave about the house or the lake or the view or Bettina would decide it was too good for the likes of her step-daughter. But she did want to reassure her.
The second day Sabrina got up early, jet lag not withstanding. She dressed quickly and once again descended the wide stairway. This time the prince was once again standing at the foot of the stairs alone as if he’d been waiting for her. She clenched her hands into tight fists, anticipating the worst. Was this how he’d fired the past nannies? Waited for them to arise on the second or third day and sent them packing?
Despite her fears, she couldn’t help noticing he was wearing a dark suit and a blue shirt and tie and looked impossibly, indescribably handsome. Yesterday she’d been too worried about sleeping late to notice. Today she noticed. She shouldn’t be surprised, but she found it difficult to catch her breath. She couldn’t even move her feet for several long moments. Maybe it was fear or continual jet lag or maybe it was the prince looking like he’d stepped out of the pages of GQ . Other nannies had mentioned this phenomenon of the to-die-for-good-looking prince, even though they’d barely lasted twenty-four hours. If she was still here tomorrow Sabrina made a mental note to congratulate herself on her longevity.
“There you are,” he said, glancing at his watch which probably cost as much as Sabrina’s compact car back in California. “No snakes today?”
Sabrina smiled brightly and shook her head as if another snake would be just fine.
“Good. Well, I must leave for Milan now. The chauffeur will be tied up for a few hours and they don’t have another ride today. You will take the girls to their sailing lesson. You do drive?”
“Yes of course, but…”
“They know the way to direct you. The Alfa is in the garage.” He held out his hand with keys in it and pressed them into Sabrina’s palm. She closed her fingers around the keys, warm from his touch. “I believe the activity begins at nine,” he said. “And ends some time in the afternoon.”
“Very well.”
“Don’t let the girls talk you into any deviations. They go to their class, you pick them up afterward and… they return and do whatever you have planned for them.”
“We could have an English lesson and a snack or tea, if that’s what they’re used to. I mean isn’t that what they did with Nanny Chisholm? Children need routine.” As if she’d have any better luck
The air was filled with the aromas of rich tomato sauce simmering on the stove and the yeasty smell of bread rising. The conversation was all in Italian which made Sabrina feel less necessary or useful than ever. The girls went to bed early or at least went to their room and closed the door behind them. When she knocked, and suggested a board game they said, “We are too tired, dear Ms. West. Good-night. Nanny Chisholm always went to bed early.”
Sabrina stood there staring at the closed door. How could she compete with their other nanny unless she left them alone? She hadn’t come all this way to do that. She was at a loss. If she thought they’d be impressed by her handling of the snake or her willingness to keep it a secret from their father, she’d say her first day had been a success, but who knew? She couldn’t talk to the prince. He didn’t want to be bothered. And he knew less than she did about how to manage his daughters. Besides, he wasn’t there. She had no idea what time he normally came home. So she went to her room and sent an e-mail message to Bettina.
“Things are going well. The prince and I are in agreement about how to prepare the girls for private school. I shall begin the lessons tomorrow. The Lake Country is delightful and the accommodations are pleasant."
She didn’t want to rave about the house or the lake or the view or Bettina would decide it was too good for the likes of her step-daughter. But she did want to reassure her.
The second day Sabrina got up early, jet lag not withstanding. She dressed quickly and once again descended the wide stairway. This time the prince was once again standing at the foot of the stairs alone as if he’d been waiting for her. She clenched her hands into tight fists, anticipating the worst. Was this how he’d fired the past nannies? Waited for them to arise on the second or third day and sent them packing?
Despite her fears, she couldn’t help noticing he was wearing a dark suit and a blue shirt and tie and looked impossibly, indescribably handsome. Yesterday she’d been too worried about sleeping late to notice. Today she noticed. She shouldn’t be surprised, but she found it difficult to catch her breath. She couldn’t even move her feet for several long moments. Maybe it was fear or continual jet lag or maybe it was the prince looking like he’d stepped out of the pages of GQ . Other nannies had mentioned this phenomenon of the to-die-for-good-looking prince, even though they’d barely lasted twenty-four hours. If she was still here tomorrow Sabrina made a mental note to congratulate herself on her longevity.
“There you are,” he said, glancing at his watch which probably cost as much as Sabrina’s compact car back in California. “No snakes today?”
Sabrina smiled brightly and shook her head as if another snake would be just fine.
“Good. Well, I must leave for Milan now. The chauffeur will be tied up for a few hours and they don’t have another ride today. You will take the girls to their sailing lesson. You do drive?”
“Yes of course, but…”
“They know the way to direct you. The Alfa is in the garage.” He held out his hand with keys in it and pressed them into Sabrina’s palm. She closed her fingers around the keys, warm from his touch. “I believe the activity begins at nine,” he said. “And ends some time in the afternoon.”
“Very well.”
“Don’t let the girls talk you into any deviations. They go to their class, you pick them up afterward and… they return and do whatever you have planned for them.”
“We could have an English lesson and a snack or tea, if that’s what they’re used to. I mean isn’t that what they did with Nanny Chisholm? Children need routine.” As if she’d have any better luck
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