“What about politics? I know Royals don’t vote or run for office, but is there anything I need to be on the lookout for?”
“Mainly you want to do the political dance if you’re ever on the spot. Vague answers, smiles, and hoping for the best stuff. Anything else can come back to bite you in the arse.” Cathy took a bite of her sandwich.
“So what is our job exactly?” I sipped at the soda I had found in a pantry.
“We host dignitaries, advise parliament, lead charities, and see to our own lands. When something tragic happens in our districts, it’s our job to try to help. Sometimes that’s with money, other times it can be with connections or a simple friendly hand.” She stopped and thought for a minute. “Actually, we’re really busy. It probably feels like you’re doing a bunch of things that don’t matter right now, but you can’t think of it that way. Think of it as networking. You’re building a base of people who might be able to assist you in the future. “
“And in turn I need to help them in some way.” I thought about it. “Oh, man, Cathy. This is such a bad job for me. I’m terrible at keeping my opinions to myself. I’m likely to piss someone off and not on accident. It’s a miracle that I’ve gotten through this week without doing it.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re American and they expect you to be curt and adorable.”
“Uh, that’s offensive.” I shook my head. “There are a lot of Americans that would go out of their way to not insult anyone. I’m just not one of them.”
“Exactly. And people like it. They think it’s refreshing.”
I snorted and almost dribbled soda out of my mouth. “Refreshing. Right.”
“Seriously. I heard you shot down Jeremy and he still wanted you to do his show.” She waved her chip in the air. “He thought it was great that you were so transparent and upfront. No tiptoeing around stuff.”
“Jeremy is a weird guy and I’d rather stab myself in the eye with a spork than be the host of a television show.”
“A spork?” Her mouth twitched.
“Weird little spoon that thinks it’s a fork.”
“You’re kind of crazy.” She smiled. “I can see why Alex is so smitten.”
“Excuse me?” I looked around to see if anyone was listening, but the closest person was washing dishes on the other side of the room.
“C’mon. I’m not blind, Sam.”
“We’re just friends.” I looked down at my food.
“Why?” She pushed my plate with her finger so that I’d look up.
“What?”
“Why are you just friends? You’re wearing the necklace he gave you, he hovers around you like a mommy bear, and the chemistry is disgustingly obvious.” She narrowed her eyes. “Is it because of Melissa? You have to know how much that hurt Alex.”
“No, it’s not that.” I frowned. “There’s just so much going on and I don’t think I can handle a relationship on top of it all.”
“So, it’s because of your father?”
“No. Yes. Partly. It’s everything. I’m trying to learn how to do all this.” I motioned around the kitchen. “Plus, I’m leaving soon and Dad will be here. He’s going to need me.”
“Is that all of it?” She leveled her gaze on mine and I squirmed.
“Did you take classes as a child on how to get what you want?”
“Don’t change the subject, Samantha. What is this really about?” She leaned forward.
“I just told you!”
“You think your father would want you to miss out on something—someone—that would love you because of him? All this change, it’s scary. I get that. But it can be good, too. You don’t see it because you’re living it, but to those of us watching, it’s obvious that you were meant for this job, for this life.”
I chewed on my lip while I pondered what she was saying. “That’s pretty deep for an eighteen-year-old.”
“I might have come from a life of privilege, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have any perspective.” Something in her eyes shifted and I saw a much older girl looking back at me.
“I’m scared.” I said the words in a rush. Maybe if I said it out loud it would make it less real.
“Of what, exactly?”
“Alex—it wouldn’t be a fling. It wouldn’t be simple or easy. If I let myself, I’d just end up hurt and then it would be in every newspaper and on every gossip site.”
“Why do you think Alex would hurt you?” She sat back in her seat. “No one knows Alex the way I do. When Daddy died, Alex stepped up and became the man of the house. He watched out for me and Max. Max has classic middle-child syndrome and left for school as quickly as he could, but every decision Alex has made was based on how it would affect us. And I can see how much he already cares about you. He would never do anything to hurt you.”
“Not on purpose.” I played with my napkin. “I don’t think I could handle the scrutiny, the media attention.”
“That’ll die down after a while. Or you’ll get used to it. It’s overwhelming right now, but we do have real lives. We go on vacations and sometimes have lazy Sundays like everyone else in the world.”
She didn’t understand. She’d been born into something that was so foreign to me I felt as if I’d been dropped on another planet. And Alex would break my heart—he’d have to when it came time for him to take the throne. I’d read enough in my Idiots Guide to the Monarchy that I knew he had to marry someone of royal blood who would be able to help him rule the country.
“The wheels are turning in your head; I can practically hear the gears squeak.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “You know what I think? I think you’re worried about what it would mean if it all worked out. Alex comes with some heavy baggage. Crown prince isn’t nearly as fun as they make it out to be in the storybooks. Whoever he chooses will be queen.”
I groaned. “Exactly. I’m an American, for crying out loud. Remember? The adorable little foreigner that says whatever she’s thinking? No one would accept me as their queen and God knows I wouldn’t blame them. When I think about being with Alex, I can’t just think about how he makes me feel, I have to think about how it would affect an entire country. If they reject me, he would have to leave me. And if they don’t reject me, how badly could I screw it all up?”
Cathy smiled and leaned back in her chair. “He could always abdicate.”
“Geez, Cathy, that wouldn’t make me feel like an ass or anything.” I glared at her. “Our entire relationship, I would be the reason he wasn’t king.”
“The very things that have you worried are the exact things that mean you would make an excellent queen.”
“You don’t understand. You’ve been brought up your whole life with that as a possible future. I was brought up in a land with no kings or queens. The very idea makes me nervous.”
“You do realize you’re from a line of royalty that once held the crown of Lilaria?” She snorted and picked up her plate. “Sam, get it together. Sometimes all our plans for life go to shit. You end up doing something you never dreamed of and you know what you do?”
I stood up and followed her to the sink with my plate. “What’s that, oh wise one?”
“You make the best out of it you can. Nothing is ever as good or as bad as you think it will be. It’s what you make of it.” Alex had said that exact same thing to me. She tossed her leftovers and handed the plate to the dishwasher. “But I can tell you this: You will never find another man that would love you the way Alex would.”
“Riddle me this. If you’re so smart, why are you hanging out with Kyle? He’s a scumbag.” I looked over at her as we walked.
“Oh, I know.” She shrugged. “I know exactly what he’s after, but when it’s just us, we have fun. I might understand how the world works, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to just be a little wild.”
“Be careful there. The lines become blurry when we’re living it.”
“I will.” Her blithe answer did nothing to make me feel like
I had gotten through to her. Kyle was dangerous and I’d hate to see some of her sweetness smothered by the scars he would leave on her heart. “You leave tomorrow?”
“Yep. Bright and early. I think we’re driving.” I shrugged. “Chadwick already packed up my clothes and sent them to the house.”
“You’ll love it out there. Lots of trees and quiet.”
“I’ve seen some pictures online, but I’m really looking forward to being there in person.” I stopped near my bedroom door.
“Alex is going, too?”
“Yes.” I took a deep breath. I hadn’t seen him since our trip to the bookstore. It felt like ages and I was eager but also nervous to see him again.
“Lighten up, Sam.” She pushed my shoulder. “I expect an invitation to dinner soon.”
“Pizza party at my place.”
“Sounds perfect.” She hugged me quickly. “I’ve got to run.”
“See you soon.”
I spent the rest of the afternoon going through my e-mails. I was almost through with the list of unread messages when a new one popped in. When I saw the return address I grinned. It was from Bert, probably telling me about something silly Jess had done. I clicked on the icon and almost screamed when I saw the attached pictures.
From: BERT
To: "Sam Rousseau"
Subject: Important Question!!
Sam,
I was going to ask you to come with me to look, but since you’re all the way in Lilaria I’m sending you pictures. She’ll kick my ass if I pick the wrong one. What do you think?
Bert
I looked over the picture of rings and chewed on my lip. I was so happy for Jess, but also sad that I wouldn’t be there to listen to her squealing. I looked over the choices carefully, trying to pick out what Jess would and wouldn’t like. I debated for a minute over a couple of settings before responding.
From: Sam Rousseau
To: "BERT"
Subject: RE: Important Question!!
Bert,
It has to be the round-cut; they have the most facets so sparkle the most. And we know how much Jess loves to sparkle!
Congrats! Really happy for you guys.
Sam
I hit the send button and sat there staring at my computer monitor. I wasn’t there, but I had still been able to help Bert. I sent a quick e-mail to Dad with pictures I had snapped with my phone. Looking through the snapshots made me realize how much of the city I had seen. Cathy was right. I needed to stop focusing on the parts that made me miserable and enjoy the good things that came with this new life.
I decided to relax the rest of the night. Chadwick was so busy he hadn’t scheduled me anything after lunch. It was like coming home and having no homework. I made use of the big tub and finished the book I had started on the plane. In fact, I was so engrossed in the book that the water chilled and I had to get out. It was the most peaceful night I had spent in Lilaria and I was grateful for it. I had needed to recharge my batteries. I felt like I had been handing out little pieces of myself to everyone I met and took pictures with. After a while I had begun to feel like a shell of the person I was and having the night off was working wonders.
I fell asleep with the e-reader on my chest and didn’t move the entire night.
America’s Duchess Finally Goes Home
—California Travel Agents’ Association
The next morning was a blur of activity. For the first time since I met Chadwick, he looked flustered. I dutifully wore the dress he had left in my closet and checked the guest room for anything I might have accidently left behind. I packed up my laptop and stuck my e-reader in my bag to carry in the car. It would be a two-hour drive—nothing too long, but not a trip around the corner.
I finished up my breakfast while looking through the local papers. Thankfully some of them were in English. Unfortunately, my picture was on the front page of most of them.
“How can they do this? They just publish whatever they want without checking facts.” I held up the one I was reading. “I’m not pining away for some lover back home.” I set that paper down and picked up the next one. “I’m also not suffering from an eating disorder. Look at this! This one says I refuse to eat and the queen is worried. This other paper has a picture of me stuffing a burger in my mouth and calls me an American slob. Which is it? Am I anorexic or a fatty?”
“Best advice you will ever receive is to not read the papers.” Chadwick opened my closet.
“This is crazy! They just post whatever will sell.” I growled and threw the papers in the trash can next to the desk. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure we haven’t left anything.” He opened the drawers of the nightstand.
“I already checked.” I shook my head. “Are you okay? You seem flustered.”
“I’m fine.” His snappy tone made my eyebrows rise. “No. I’m not. I had a fight last night with my… friend. I apologize. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“Want to talk about it?”
“We don’t have time.” He sighed. “Are you ready? I believe I saw Alex leaving his mother’s sitting room.”
“Sure.” I pulled my coat on and grabbed my bag. “Chadwick, would you be interested in making this a permanent job? Work for me? I know you’ve been living here, so if you have a life out here and aren’t interested in moving, I get that.” I wrapped my scarf around my neck. “I really would understand, but I’ve gotten used to your brand of nagging.”
“You’re so darling. How could I resist?” Chadwick said.
“So, that’s a yes?”
“I’ve already packed.” He opened the door for me and we made our way to the main entrance.
“What if I hadn’t asked you?”
“It’s my job to be prepared for everything.” He looked down at his clipboard and a terrible thought came to me.
“That’s not why you fought with your friend is it?” He didn’t look up from his notes. “Chadwick, don’t move out there for me. I mean, I want you to move out there for me, but I don’t want you to leave something good behind.”
“I’m happy with my decision, but thank you.” He smiled at me. “Besides, I think we make a good team.”
“I think so, too.” I frowned as we walked a ways. “Maybe… maybe your friend could come with you. I wouldn’t mind, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“That’s incredibly kind of you, but that’s not an option.”
“Oh.” I hated to see my peppy assistant so despondent. “Well, if that changes, the option is open.”
“I appreciate that.” He smiled at me but still looked sad.
“So long as I don’t find you in your underwear drinking milk out of the carton in the middle of the night.”
“What if I pour it in a cup first?” Chadwick was starting to loosen up and I was relieved.
“That’s mildly better. How about we agree on at least pajama pants or a robe with the glass of milk?”
“You do realize that there is an entire suite for me?” He looked over at me with a smile. “I believe in the States they are referred to as a ‘mother-in-law suite.’”
“Still. You might run out of milk and try to swipe mine.”
“Then I believe that’s an acceptable deal as long as it applies to you as well.”
“Hey, it’s my house.” I laughed. “No promises.”
We waited at the entrance for Alex and his assistant. I’d seen him a few times with Alex, an older gentleman who was very proper. While we killed time, I studied the paintings hanging in the entranceway. There was some beautiful work and some of them even looked vaguely familiar.
“Yes, yes. Tell them that I’ll be out there next week.” Alex’s voice reached my ears and my heart thumped. I was starting to feel like a schoolgirl. “I have some things to take care of at D’Lynsal and then I will go to Paris.” I turned to look at him and he smiled. His eyes ran over me like a man in the desert looking at a glass of water. My heart rate sped up a
nd I watched as he made his way to me. He quickly hung up and stuck the phone in his suit pocket. “Are you ready to see your home?”
“Very.” I didn’t even have a joke. I was more than ready to see my place, to find my groove. Not to mention, as usual, the sight of Alex had erased the majority of my vocabulary.
“Then let’s go. Ned, I’ll be riding with the duchess.”
“Of course, sir.” The older man nodded his head.
Alex and I took the second car in the line; the first car was the escort that seemed to go with us everywhere. Chadwick winked at me as he took a spot in the back seat of the front vehicle.
We left with little fanfare except for the ever-present reporters and their cameras. “There are more of them today.”
“You’re going home.” Alex looked over at me. “They’re documenting history.”
“And here I was excited to get somewhere I could drink milk out of the carton while wearing my underwear.”
“You drink milk out of the carton while in your underwear?” Alex laughed.
“You’ve never done that? Gotten up in the middle of the night and wanted a snack?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t bother to put on my underwear.” He watched my face as his words sank in.
“What do you… oh.” I frowned. “Wouldn’t that be cold?”
“It’s not so bad when you have someone warm to get back to.” His eyes ran over me, lingering on my hose-clad legs.
“Good point.” I looked back out the window as he chuckled.
All in all, the car ride wasn’t that terrible. We spent the majority of the ride discussing my property with the occasional phone call or message interrupting us. I spoke to my dad and was thrilled to hear him sounding more like himself. Patricia was in the background, telling him to ask me for more pictures. I laughed and joked with them while Alex took care of paperwork. It was a pleasant, easy car ride that only seemed odd because neither of us was driving.
Suddenly Royal Page 21
