THE CAPTURE: The Marriage Diaries, Volume 6 (Invitation To Eden) Read Free

one. “Don’t panic. We haven’t lost a guest yet.” She powered up the plane and flipped some switches on the panel in front of her. “Put your headset on, relax, and enjoy the ride and view.”
    Between the small plane and them heading toward the Bermuda Triangle, Jillian didn’t think she could fully relax, but Joely proved to be an exceptional pilot and the ride was smooth and uneventful.
    “We’re nearly there,” Joely said almost two hours later, the microphone on her headset linked to Jillian’s. “Look out your window. The view of Eden from up here is breath-taking and you don’t want to miss it.”
    For the first time since taking off, Jillian glanced down, catching a glimpse of a stunningly lush and gorgeous island out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as Joely landed the plane on the water and taxied toward a small pier. Dominating the piece of land was an enormous, majestic-looking Irish castle made of gray stone that looked to be centuries old. With the sun setting behind the massive palace, the entire structure seemed to shimmer with a life of its own.
    It certainly wasn’t your normal island resort, and Jillian was both intrigued and enchanted by the castle, and what might lie ahead.
    She and Joely stepped out of the plane, and Jillian frowned when she saw a man at the end of the dock, wearing all black, with a cloak and a hood obscuring his face. He stood with his hands behind his back, legs slightly apart, his entire presence commanding and compelling.
    “Who is that?” she whispered to the younger woman as they walked toward him.
    “He is the Master of the island,” Joely replied simply. “He likes to greet his guests as they arrive, when he’s able to.”
    They reached the man, and he extended a hand toward Jillian, and she slipped her palm into his larger, stronger one. “You must be Jillian,” he said, his deep voice just as mysterious as his persona. “Welcome to Eden, where reality is whatever you wish it to be.”
    She smiled, remembering that Joely had said the same thing about this island. “That’s quite a promise.”
    He tipped his hooded head in amusement. “I guess you’ll just have to see and experience it for yourself.” He turned and signaled for a young blonde-haired woman standing a few feet away from him, dressed in simple silk khaki drawstring pants and a white sleeveless top that appeared to be the island’s uniform. “Leila will show you your accommodations and take care of anything you should want or need.”
    “Thank you.” Jillian followed the other woman along the pathway leading to the castle, then up a series of stone steps. Once inside, her decorator’s eye took in the fixtures and furnishings, from the rich marble flooring to the overhead chandeliers dripping with cut crystals. The interior had been restored to reflect the age and beauty of the castle, along with a few modern upgrades, but there was no mistaking the mystical, magical feel of the place.
    “Right this way,” Leila said, and led her down a corridor until they arrived at a door, which she opened and Jillian followed her into a spacious, luxurious bedroom decorated in soothing colors of white and gray, and accented with deep purple—again, much more contemporary and stylish than she’d expected.
    “This is where you’ll be staying the night,” the younger woman told her. “There are toiletries in the adjoining bathroom, and a brand new silk chemise and robe on the bed for you to sleep in. If you need anything at all, just pick up the telephone and make your request. Your dinner should arrive within the hour.”
    Jillian turned to Leila with a smile. “It’s all very lovely. Thank you.”
    “You’re very welcome,” she replied, a delighted sparkle in her eyes. “Your fantasy will begin in the morning at ten am, after you’ve had breakfast.” She headed back toward the door, then stopped and glanced back. “Oh, and those flowers on the dresser were delivered specifically