Page 19 of Romancing Rayne

“The color of the commoner, one can assume, but it’s not known for certain why the color was chosen. However, the House of Lords is red, the color of nobility. Are you ready to continue?” Oliver asked.

“Yes, sorry. I hope I’m not asking too many questions. Everything’s so interesting.”

“Not at all.”

Ghost walked beside me and clasped my hand in his, drawing me to a stop. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Are you kidding me? Our own personal tour. This is the best day ever.”

“I’m glad you like it. There’s more to see.”

We continued through the Chamber, exiting through another hallway on the far side of where we’d entered. It shined with the same polished, dark wooden paneling. The corridors back there were less impressive than the ones on the other side of the House of Commons Chamber. More utilitarian, leading to what looked like janitorial closets and storage. Nothing particularly fancy or pretty.

The hall came to an end, and Oliver stopped in front of a closed door. I looked around, trying to figure out where we were going when I finally saw it.

“Are you serious?” I gasped and turned to Ghost. He smiled at me and nodded. “How? No way! Really?”

I knew I was squealing like a three-year-old hopped up on Twizzlers and Pixy Stix and if Oliver wasn’t there, I may have danced a jig.

I’d lost focus on everything around me except the one thing I was most excited about, a sign saying Clock Tower.

Oliver unlocked the door and held it open for us.

“Ghost,” I whispered. The reality of the situation breaking through my excitement. “Are we really going to the top?”

“Yeah, Princess. Are you up for all these stairs? All 334 of them.”

I was going to climb the clock tower stairs. A once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I’m ready.”

The staircase was small and circular. It was a stark contrast to the rest of the building; there was nothing grand about the trek up.

“Are you counting?” Ghost asked from behind me.

“Yes. Don’t talk or you’ll make me lose my place.” I peered over the railing and, though we were only seventy-five steps into our journey, it appeared we’d climbed quite a distance, but when I looked up, the top seemed to be at least a mile away.

I didn’t know how Ghost had pulled it off, but tonight he was going to get one hell of a thank you.

* * *

Ghost

Watching Rayne’s eyes light up with excitement was worth every bit of juggling I’d had to do to get her access to the Clock Tower. I still had a few more surprises for my wife and I couldn’t wait to show her.

“What’s this?” she asked, pointing to an open room.

“The Prison Room. Once upon a time, this room was used as a prison for unruly members of Parliament. After a few nights locked away up here they tended to behave.” Oliver chuckled. “Now it’s simply a museum of sorts.”

“May I?” she asked and motioned to the room.

“Of course, take your time. We still have over 200 steps to go.”

Rayne disappeared into the room, leaving Oliver and I alone on the landing.

“Congratulations. You look happy.”

“Thanks, man, I am.”