My lover, Bill, and I are successful and very busy people who often forget how important it is to get down to the basics and just love each other emotionally and physically. But in late August of last year my lover did something I never expected. He created a magical weekend that most women only dream about.
He had been in Europe on Military business for over two weeks when he called to tell me that he would have to stay there a little longer. I tried not to be upset, knowing that he had no other choice, but when we hung up he knew I was not pleased. The next day, while at the office, my lover’s assistant delivered a bouquet of wild flowers and sealed manila envelope. In the envelope was an airline ticket to Italy where we would spend a long weekend together.
I called him at his hotel and warned him that if this was going to be a weekend of me sitting in a hotel room in Rome while he was in meetings, he could forget it, but he assured me that it would be wonderful.
Arriving in Italy, I was highly impressed by the Rolls my lover had waiting for me. The driver helped me in. “Sir Bill eagerly awaits your arrival, my lady,” he said in a thick Italian accent.
As we left Rome, I started to ask the driver questions about our destination, but he would reveal nothing. My curiosity was killing me as we climbed high hills into a heavily wooded area. The trip was long and I eventually grew tired and fell asleep.
I awoke to the sound of the driver calling me: “Signora! Andiamo! We have arrived.” I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the sleepiness and see where I was. There in front of me was the most magnificent building I’d ever seen, a giant medieval castle. I was in awe, feeling so tiny beneath its shadow, and I turned around to watch the iron gates close behind us.
One of the several people waiting outside the castle stepped forward and kissed me once on each cheek. Her name was Rose and she welcomed me, assuring me that Sir Bill would be back later. In the meantime, she would show me to my room where I could freshen up and change before dinner. I think I was still in shock as I walked through the large doors into the castle. The floors were oak parquet and the ceilings were high. As we walked through the rooms, I wondered where it would end. Was this castle being rented out as a hotel? Did we have one room?
“Feel free to explore all of the rooms,” Rose said, as if reading my thoughts. She then led me up two flights of stairs. She was out of breath when we reached a door, which like the others had a Renaissance arch, and she opened it for me.
It was the bathroom, and it was as big as our entire bedroom at home! In the middle of the room was a giant tub made out of the same marble used for the floor. Rose pointed out where everything was and then turned on the tub. She picked up a bottle of bubble bath and I was just about to stop her when she paused and smiled, saying “Whoops, I almost forgot. Sir Bill said you prefer your baths really hot without the bubbles.” I smiled, happy that he still remembered the small details.
As the bathtub filled, Rose opened another door that went directly into the bedroom.. She opened the shuttered windows and I got an even better view of my surroundings. The furniture was dark wood, which had gently aged over the hundreds of years. I slipped off my shoes and let my toes be tickled by the bear rug alongside the king size four poster covered by white netting. I peeked in and gleaned the satin sheets and velvet blanket. I felt like a princess.
Rose whispered for me to take my time, then said, “Dinner will not be for at least an hour and a half. There is a robe hanging behind the door and I will lay your clothes out on the bed.”