Individual black and red candles, not yet lit, hung from the high ceiling with invisible thread to look like they were floating. Tall glass vases filled with deep red rose petals sat on tables covered in rich velvet, and marble statues of Greek gods and goddesses were dotted around the edges of the dance floor. In one corner was a large mahogany dining table.
‘What do you think?’ the Countess asked as she poured more petals into one of the vases.
‘It totally sucks,’ Ivy said, and then realised her grandmother might not know the slang. ‘That means it’s the best.’
The Countess smiled and gave Ivy a quick hug. ‘I’m glad to see that you and your sister made up after yesterday.’
‘You were right, Grandmother,’ Ivy said. ‘We did talk it out and nothing like that will ever happen again.’
The Countess sighed. ‘It’s hard to say that, my dear. You see, when someone you love upsets you, you get even angrier than you would normally, because it hurts that much more.’
The Countess started arranging small name cards with black and red hearts in front of each place setting. ‘Your father would always help me with the decorations for the ball. I miss those days.’ She sighed and Ivy wanted to give her another hug. The Countess kept talking. ‘I miss my son more than anything and wish I could say the right thing to him, so that he would forgive me for turning him away all those years ago.’
The Countess sank down into one of the red velvet chairs. ‘Part of me wishes that he had never left Transylvania. But I am so grateful that he did because it means that now we have you and Olivia.’ The Countess reached out to hold Ivy’s hand. ‘Two wonderful granddaughters that I want to keep close to me forever. Families should stay together.’
Ivy gave her grandmother a hug. ‘I love that I’ve been able to meet you and I know Olivia is, too . . . But our home is in Franklin Grove.’
The Countess nodded. ‘I know.’ She wiped a tear away.
‘We’ll visit again and you can come to see us,’ Ivy offered. ‘I’m sure Dad won’t mind.’
‘Of course, darling,’ the Countess said and went back to arranging the name cards. ‘Your father will come around eventually. At least he came here with you this time. Who knows what might happen in the future!’
There was a silence and Ivy hoped it was true. She wanted her dad to love her grandparents as much as she did.
Then, Ivy remembered why she had come looking for her grandmother.
‘I hope it is OK to ask you this,’ Ivy began, and the Countess looked up.
‘You can ask me anything, Ivy,’ she replied.
‘Why don’t the servants get to enjoy the Valentine’s Day Ball with everyone else?’ Ivy asked, watching her grandmother’s face carefully.
‘They do, sweetheart,’ the Countess replied, looking concerned. ‘What do you mean?’
Ivy was relieved that the Countess wasn’t dismissive. ‘Well, I was talking to Tessa and she said she has to work at the ball. I didn’t think that was fair.’
The Countess frowned. ‘Hmm. Well, it’s true that the staff attend but they are there to serve drinks and keep things moving along.’ She paused. ‘But maybe we should work it out so that each of them gets some time off during the evening to enjoy the festivities, too.’
‘So, you wouldn’t mind if Tessa got ready with us?’ Ivy asked.
‘Of course not, my darling,’ her grandmother replied. ‘In fact, I think I shall request that all the staff dress for the occasion, rather than wear their uniforms.’
Ivy decided then and there that she was going to find a way for Tessa to show up tonight on an equal footing with Her High and Mighty Majesty. ‘Thank you, Grandmother,’ she said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She leaped to her feet, ready to run and tell Olivia the good news.
But what she saw in the doorway froze her like a statue: a blond-haired, blue-eyed, familiar face was holding a big backpack and grinning at her.
‘Jackson Caulfield,’ Ivy breathed.
‘The one and only,’ he said, winking. Then he turned to Ivy’s grandmother. ‘Countess Lazar,’ Jackson said, giving a formal bow. ‘I’m Jackson Caulfield.’ He strode across the room towards the Countess. ‘This room looks incredible.’
‘Why, thank you,’ the Countess said, smiling. ‘You must be the friend that my son was talking about.’
Ivy was confused. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Well,’ Jackson said, ‘I wanted to do something really special for Olivia for Valentine’s Day and when I heard that she wasn’t even going to be in the country, I had to do something drastic. Mr Vega let me in on the details of your trip here and the ball. I couldn’t resist showing up as a surprise. So . . . surprise!’
Ivy gulped. ‘Surprise . . .’ she replied weakly. All Ivy could think about was Olivia walking into the ball on Alex’s arm. This is spiralling totally out of control, she thought, gulping hard. This could not get any worse.
‘Does Olivia like the dress?’ Jackson asked, eyes shining.
Oh no. It’s just got worse. The dress was from Jackson. Alex hadn’t sent it after all . . . which meant that Olivia was about to make a fool of herself!
‘Ivy?’ Jackson asked, his smile faltering. ‘Is everything OK? You look . . . pale.’
‘No, no, everything’s fine,’ she said, rushing to give him a quick welcome hug. ‘Absolutely great. Olivia will be thrilled to see you!’ She was smiling so hard she thought her face would break.