“My pleasure.” He took my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles.
The queen didn’t waste any time moving me to the next few people. The members of parliament seemed very interested in the fact that I was American and then I met a couple with two small children.
“This is the Duke and Duchess of Marion.”
“Call me Heather.” The woman held out one hand while keeping a tight grip on the smallest boy. “This is Leo.” She pushed him forward and I leaned down to shake the young boy’s chubby hand. He smiled at me before rubbing the back of his hand across his nose.
“Nice to meet you, Leo.”
“Barry.” The duke shook my hand with a friendly smile before motioning toward the little girl in his arms. “And this is Violet.”
“Nice to meet you both.” The little girl was leaning against her father’s shoulder with her eyes half closed. “I’m sorry we got in so late.”
“Don’t be sorry! We’re glad to meet you. I know you must be tired after all that travel.”
“I’m happy to be here.” The queen pulled me away from the young family and toward a grouping of young men. Two of them were smiling in a bored sort of manner, but one of them leered in a way that made me wish I hadn’t taken my coat off.
“The Dukes of Minsington, Bowdell, and Sheferd. Otherwise known as Daniel, Barney, and Kyle.” The queen leveled her eyes at the men and they shifted where they stood. “This is Samantha, Duchess of Rousseau.”
They all shook my hand, Kyle lingering a little longer than was necessary. “A pleasure to meet you, Samantha.”
I smiled at him, not really thinking the meeting was so pleasant. He reminded me of the school reporter. The one you wouldn’t leave your drink with while you ran to the bathroom.
“Kyle and Daniel both went to the university here in town. Perhaps you can find a program to finish your studies with.” The queen smiled at me as if this was a brilliant idea.
“I’ll have to look into it when I have some time.” I really hoped I would be able to escape this conversation soon.
“Maybe I could take you to the campus and show you around. There are a lot of great places to study.” He emphasized the last word so I knew he meant something else entirely.
“Right. I’ll let you know if I need the help.” I had no poker face and I was certain Kyle could see my irritation.
“I look forward to it.”
“Your Majesty, dinner is ready,” a man in palace livery said. I hadn’t even noticed him approaching.
“Excellent. Samantha, I will leave you with these gentlemen while I check on things.” The queen squeezed my elbow gently before walking away. I watched her leave and my eyes landed on Alex. He was laughing with the Marion family and was holding the little girl against his chest, patting her back while she drooled on his shoulder, sound asleep. I wanted to go to them and put as much distance as possible between myself and Kyle.
“What did you study, Samantha?” Daniel looked at me, interested.
“Good God, Danny. Don’t you read the papers?” Barney took a long sip from the tumbler in his hand. “She’s a biologist of some sort.”
“Wildlife biologist,” I explained.
“You know I don’t read that trash. It’s a waste of time.” Daniel frowned at his friend. “Good for you, Samantha. You’ll have a lot in common with Alex.”
“Is that so?” A woman came over with a tray of drinks. I picked a glass of white wine and sipped.
“Yes, our illustrious future monarch has a degree in wildlife biology. He specialized in birds, I believe.” Daniel smiled. “What’s your specialty?”
“Raptors.”
Daniel laughed and pointed at Kyle. “You might as well give up right now.”
I looked at them confused. “Excuse me?”
“Let’s just say that there aren’t many eligible female nobles right now.” Daniel laughed at Kyle’s expression. “It’s a lost cause.”
“We don’t know that.” Kyle winked at me. “I’ve got a lot to offer.”
“Are you guys serious? I’m not looking to get married.”
“You’re fresh meat, sweetie.” Barney leaned forward and I could smell the bourbon on his breath. “Daniel here could care less since he’s not into skirts. But for every other eligible man in the country, you’re a potential wife. With a lot to bring to the bank… and bed.” He stared down at my breasts. I squeezed my hands into fists so tight I could feel my nails digging into my palm. All of the responses that popped into my head were wildly inappropriate for a queen’s sitting room.
“Barney.” Daniel glared at him. “That’s enough. We’re not all terrible, Samantha.”
“What are you talking about?” Catherine moved next to me. “You can’t monopolize the guest of honor.”
“I was hoping you’d come over here to check on her so I could enjoy that pretty dress up close.” Kyle tilted his head and looked up and down Catherine’s slim figure. She blushed, but didn’t look all that upset with his perusal.
“Dinner is served.” A door off to the side of the room opened and I couldn’t have been more relieved.
“Your Highness, may I escort you to your seat?” Kyle bowed to Catherine who accepted with a roll of her eyes.
“Samantha?” Daniel held out his arm to me and I let him guide me to into the dining room. There was a long rectangular table, with place settings for each guest. Little cards, with handwritten names told everyone where to sit. Daniel leaned close when we got to my seat.
“I may not be worried about finding a wife, but I am always happy to make a new friend.” He smiled at me, and I felt a little better.
“That would be nice.” I let him pull my chair out and help me sit, before he went to find his own seat.
“Welcome to Lilaria.” Daniel winked at me as he walked away.
“Kyle is not someone you should befriend.” Alex sat next to me and leaned close. “He’s only interested in what kind of dowry you have.” He glared over to where his sister was joking with the young duke. “Among other things.”
“Thanks, Captain Obvious,” I whispered. “Tell me you’ve told your sister this.”
“Sisters don’t like to hear that kind of stuff from brothers, but yes, I’ve tried.” Alex opened his napkin and laid it over one leg. “You, on the other hand, have no one else to tell you this.”
“Not true. Barney has already informed me that I’m fresh meat.”
“He told you that? Those exact words?” The skin along his jaw tightened and he glared at where Barney was asking for a refill.
“Calm down. I’m not an idiot.” I shook my head.
“He can be very convincing when he wants to be. I don’t want to see you be taken advantage of.” He looked at me with frustrated eyes. “Consider it a friendly warning.”
“Are you upset that you can’t stomp around like a caveman and pee on my leg?” I poked his shoulder. “I’m not a tree, Your Highness.”
He laughed and several of the people at our end of the table turned their attention toward us. “What happened to my nickname?”
“That was an accident. Not going to happen again.” I looked around the table, noticing how everyone was watching us. The queen was smiling behind her wineglass and Rose was decidedly ignoring us as she spoke with the prime minister and his wife. Catherine, however, was grinning widely from her seat next to Kyle, a complete contrast to the glower he was shooting my way.
The food was delivered quickly and no one wasted time before eating. I could understand why; the food was delicious. I answered questions about my schooling, my family, and what I thought of Lilaria. I answered everything with the simplest answers I could manage. I didn’t want to tell these people my life story. By the time dessert was placed in front of me, I was exhausted.
When the queen stood to signal the end of the dinner, everyone raised a glass. “We’re honored to have back among us one of our family. Samantha, may you find happiness in Lilaria.”
&nb
sp; She left shortly afterward with Rose and the prime minister, signaling that we could leave if we were ready. Catherine and Kyle made their way to where I was standing up. Alex had his back to me, talking to one of the parliament members.
“We’re heading out, want to come along?” Kyle had his hand on Catherine’s back but smiled at me in a way that made me want to punch him. He was definitely a worm and the fact Catherine seemed oblivious worried me. He was an attractive guy, but he oozed creep.
“Maybe another time. I’m ready to call it a night.”
“Would you like me to show you to your room?” Kyle dropped his hand from Catherine and stepped forward. Her eyebrows pulled together as she watched him.
“I’ve already offered to show her to her rooms.” Alex placed a hand on my back.
“Is that so?” Kyle glared at Alex. “Is it the same room Melissa used? Or the one Lora or Maggie stayed in? Maybe the room Adriane used the last time she stayed at the palace? How about the one Tabitha used? Maybe that was the same room Melissa stayed in.”
“Kyle!” Catherine gasped. Alex’s fingers stiffened against my back and I knew he was worried how I would react to a list of his conquests.
“I see pedigree has no bearing on whether or not you’re an asshole.” While it bothered me to think of Alex with all those women, I was more disgusted by Kyle’s behavior. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get some rest.”
Kyle sputtered, apparently surprised I had spoken up. Catherine looked at me with something close to jealousy and awe. Alex nudged me gently toward the exit. I left Kyle staring after us while Catherine watched thoughtfully.
Will America’s Duchess Fit in with the Other Royals?
—Celebrity Talk Magazine
“I apologize for that.” Alex ground his teeth when we were in the hallway.
“Don’t. It’s not your fault.” I was barely paying attention to the direction we went. I was so tired I had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. I was also mentally chanting the list of women who had been with Alex, the image of him and Melissa flashing in my head. He stopped at a door and turned the ornate handle.
I stepped inside and looked at the giant bed and lavish furnishings. My bags had been unpacked and nightclothes were laid out on the mattress. I turned to look at Alex.
“Thank you. I guess I’ll see you sometime this week.” I bit my lip. I had no idea what the rest of the week held for me. Much less the rest of my life.
“Are you forgetting something?” Alex raised an eyebrow.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your dress.” He nodded toward me. “Or do you think you can manage on your own?”
I frowned. As much as I had complained about having to wear it, I was sort of fond of the dress and didn’t want to rip it. I looked up at him and nodded once before turning around so he could see the zipper. He closed the door behind him and moved toward me. I reached down to undo the belt at my waist but his hands slid around and closed over mine before moving them out of the way so he could do it. Slowly he pulled the belt from the loops and tossed it onto the bed. His fingers tugged the zipper at an almost torturous pace. His knuckles dragged along my spine the whole way and I shivered in response. When he slid the zipper over my bra I took a deep breath, but he never hesitated.
I knew I should stop him once he reached my waist, but I didn’t. I closed my eyes, enjoying the smell of him and the feel of his hands on me. I heard him take a deep breath of his own and he stopped the zipper just above my panties. I could feel his hands shake just before he let go and stepped away.
“I think you can take it from there.” Need mixed with frustration in his voice.
“Thank you for helping.” I took a step forward, clutching my dress to my chest as I turned around.
“How long are we going to play this game?” He was irritated and I didn’t blame him. He wasn’t the only one feeling frustrated.
“I’m not going to be another conquest, Alex. I don’t do one-night stands. I’m not that person.”
“And I’m not looking for a notch in my bedpost.” He took a step toward me.
His words scared me more than if he was just looking for a quick tumble in the sheets. Falling in love with Alex would leave me open to too much hurt. Anything I had with him would be short-lived. He’d eventually have to move on and marry someone who could help him rule a country. I looked around the room, at a loss for words. Refusing to say the words that would reveal my cowardice.
“Samantha, none of those women stayed at the palace.” Alex looked at me with serious eyes. He had taken my silence for something else. “At least they didn’t stay at the palace with me. Tabitha and Adriane have stayed here because they are from noble families. Kyle was just trying to upset you.”
“Alex, I don’t need to know.” I shook my head and grabbed at the excuse he had provided. “Besides. We’re friends. You don’t need to give me the list. I don’t care.” The last sentence sounded forced and desperate.
He narrowed his eyes at me. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“I know.” But I wasn’t ready for anything else. Would never be ready for anything with Alex. I knew with just the little that had happened between us it would hurt too much when it fell apart. I had lost so much already and was on the verge of losing my father. Losing my heart would be unbearable. “I feel like my entire world was just shaken by a massive earthquake. I don’t know how anything works or what I’m supposed to do with myself. I can’t fall—” I stopped and swallowed. “I wouldn’t be a good girlfriend right now and I’m not up for sex with no strings. Once my dad gets here I won’t have any time.”
“All good things are worth the work. And what we could have would definitely be good.” He threw my words back at me and I had no response. I just stood there silently as he turned and left.
I let the dress fall to the ground and sat on the bed, staring at the door. My heart was still racing and I felt like kicking something. Mainly myself. And Alex. And Kyle.
Eventually I pulled myself up and got undressed. I checked out the attached bathroom and whistled. There was a huge jetted tub, separate shower, and everything was shiny. Apparently the inside of the palace was much newer than the outside. After sending a text message to Dad and Jess, I went to bed. I had no idea what tomorrow held for me.
Sunlight was streaming in the room and I woke to a knock on my door. I sat straight up and looked around the room in confusion. The knock came again and I slipped out of the blankets and padded to the door. I pulled it open and glared at Chadwick on the other side.
“Good morning, Duchess. I brought you some coffee.” He held a cup out to me that I took without hesitation. It could have been poison, but as long as there was some coffee mixed in I’d die happy. As I drank, he made his way into my room and set up a laptop and notebook on the desk in the corner. “I’ve already ordered another cup for you and can call for food if you’re hungry. I wasn’t sure if you’d want breakfast or lunch.”
“Slower, please.” I looked at him confusion. “Breakfast or lunch?”
“Yes, it’s almost noon.”
The cup stopped halfway to my mouth. “Oh my God. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“There was nothing pressing this morning.” He sat down and went through the drawers until he found a pencil. “I thought you might need the rest. You’ve had a busy week.”
“You could say that.” I sat down in the chair across from the desk.
“I’ve gone through your schedule and set up some of the meetings you’ll need to have in the next few days, including time for you to see some of the country. Alex insisted you get to spend a few days here in the capital before leaving for your estate.” Chadwick sat primly at the desk. “I believe Catherine is hoping to join you as well.”
“Okay.” I pulled my feet up in my seat and finished off my cup. “First, food. Then we start doing what we need to do.”
“Excellent. We’ve already received requ
ests for appearances and you’ve been invited to several dinners here in town. I’ve told them everything was pending approval at this point.”
“Appear where?” I latched onto the thing I thought most important.
“The American embassy has requested you meet with the ambassador. I believe they want to check on you.” He smiled fondly like it was cute. “There was also a request for you make an appearance at a local American school and the local zoological gardens sometime this week.”
“An ambassador, a school, and a zoo.” I thought it over in my head. “I haven’t technically been granted my title back.”
“That’s a formality. Speaking of which, the queen would like to perform the ceremony in two months, unless you have other plans?” His voice rose at the end letting me know it was a question.
“I do believe my calendar is clear.”
“Not exactly, but I understand what you mean. I’ll let the lord chamberlain know.” He smiled at me. “I’ve also spoken to Dr. Bielefeld’s staff and gotten them in contact with your father’s doctors. He should be looking over his paperwork at any minute.”
“Great! Is he here in town?” I sat up and leaned forward.
“Not yet. He was in Paris for a convention and to see a few patients. He keeps in regular touch with his office though, so we can expect steady updates.” Chadwick smiled a bit mischievously. “Apparently the doctor was excited to help out America’s Duchess.”
“Oh no. Tell me that hasn’t stuck.”
“It certainly has. Catchy, if you think about. There’s a definite fascination with royals in America. Probably because they don’t have any of their own.” Chadwick flipped open his notebook to a different page. “I hope you don’t mind, but I had your luggage inventoried and I believe shopping may be in order. You have several lovely dresses and outfits, but the fact is you’re going to need much more.”
I glared at him and set down my cup. He picked it up and put a coaster underneath. “You inventoried my clothes?”
“Well, yes. That’s part of my job. Helping make sure you have everything you need.” He looked at me with patient eyes. “I know it feels like an intrusion, but try to not look at it like that. Besides, I couldn’t care less about your bras and panties—they wouldn’t fit me. Though I would recommend getting more nightclothes. You only brought tank tops and giant shirts.” He said it like it was a crime.
Suddenly Royal Page 15
