Tori followed Jacob up the curving staircase on the right. He was really sweet to take her backpack.<br/>"Um, Jacob, you said rooms? I didn't know we would be in separate rooms and I really would rather not be alone here unless that is the way you guys investigate." Tori took the stairs at double time until she was on the same riser with him. In the limited light his eyes seemed to sparkle and then darken at her comment about sharing a room.<br/><br/>The hall was lined with doors. They passed by what must have been the master if the ribald sounds coming from behind the doors was any indication.<br/>"Do they do it all the time, everywhere? "Tori asked, rather fascinated. When Jacob grinned at her, Tori realized she was being too polite about what they were doing, probably should have asked if they just fuck all the time. Really, she didn't want to come off as a prude or something. Not like she was a virgin or whatever.<br/><br/>They went down to the end of the hall. Tori pushed open a door. This room had filmy curtains draped at the windows. Tori realized this was the window from where she had seen a woman in white. The curtains and bed draperies were in what was probably sky blue once upon a time, silks and satins. Pillows and bolsters were scattered on the bed and the floor, all eaten through by rodents. The rug on the floor had once come from Persia, not the local Galleria either, but an exotic import. The furniture was delicate white, real French Provencal, all curving lines and gold filigree. One lone picture hung above a curved settee, that of a woman with blue black hair and a long white neck.<br/><br/>The woman held a fan that she rested on the head of an Irish wolfhound. Her dress was the same sky blue as this room, Tori thought. As her gaze swept around the room, she would have sworn on a stack of Bibles that the woman turned to look straight at her.<br/>"Welcome home. May you never have to leave again," she heard in her head. Tori shut the door quickly.<br/><br/>"Let's set up in that room over there, ' Tori indicated, stepping to the door across the hall where Jacob had set down the luggage. She pushed on that door, but it stuck. Stepping back, she took a deep breath and turned the knob firmly. The door opened after she put her shoulder to it.<br/><br/>This room was magnificent, done in forest green and gold. The bed was a four poster, hung around with velvet. Two deep burgundy leather chairs flanked a fire place that was large enough to roast a cow. Across an alcove a mahogany desk gave testament of a serious business mind. Books were stacked randomly but feathered with cobwebs. A dried inkwell was over turned across a fading ledger. The slatted high back swivel chair had been knocked on its side.<br/><br/>"This room looks comfortable. Nice chairs and bed." Tori said, motioning for Jacob to come in. "Seriously, is it okay with you for me to stay in here with you?" She moved closer to him and leaned up to brush a kiss on his lips, then continued to talk softly, close enough to feel his breath on her face. " Is it okay? or do I need to say pretty please?"