Suddenly Royal

by Chase, Nichole

  “You need to go?” I sat up straighter in my seat. I had been slouching forward, laughing at Chadwick.

  “I’m afraid so.” Alex bowed his head. “Duty calls.”

  “Thank you for coming with us today.” I stood up and everyone else did as well. I moved to the door and Alex followed closely behind. Once we were in the hallway, Ned moved ahead of us and out the front door.

  “I enjoyed it.” He turned to look at me just inside the door. “I’m sorry I have to leave.”

  “Me too.” I bit my lip and stepped forward to press a kiss to his cheek. I leaned back just enough to look up into his eyes.

  He looked down at me, searching for something. His fingers touched mine briefly before he pulled away and left. I watched out the window for a moment before turning back and looking at my new house. I could hear the laughter from the dining room and something about it struck me as familiar. I was standing there enjoying the sound when it hit me. It sounded like home.

  I made my way back to the dining room and threw myself into the conversation. Stanley and Margie were easy to talk to, offering up information about the house and the staff. The two of them lived in a small house just off the side of the main driveway. Jeanette had a small flat above their apartments.

  “Where will poor Chadwick live?” I winked at my assistant. “And Becca. Will she be staying here as well?”

  “Just clear out the barn.” Chadwick laughed.

  “No, no. There is a small house behind the manor home. A very short walk and it has plenty of room,” Stanley said. “We already put your bags in there. And Becca has a room attached to this house in the back. It is completely self-sufficient but closer for security reasons.”

  “Though if you’d prefer the barn, I could clear out a stall.” Margie winked at Chadwick.

  “I think I’ll be glad of the house.” Chadwick shook his head. “Looks like your milk will be safe, Samantha.”

  “As will my eyes.” I laughed when Margie and Stanley exchanged a confused look. “It’s a long story.”

  “How have you found Lilaria so far?” Margie cut a piece of the cake and put it on a plate for me. “You’ve been in the papers every day. I imagine you haven’t had a chance to see much.”

  “It’s a beautiful country, but I’m looking forward to things settling down.” I took a bite of the cake. “I’m also looking forward to having my father here. I think he’ll enjoy the area.”

  “When you have had time to settle in, we can talk about what type of changes you’d like to make in the home.” Margie smiled. “There are a lot of excellent local artisans.”

  “I can’t imagine what I would want to change right now. The house is beautiful.” I finished up the cake and stretched. “I do want to see more of the town and the area.”

  “I’d be happy to take you around,” Stanley offered. “I imagine that you’ll only have a few days before the locals start making requests of your time.”

  “You’re probably right, and thank you—that would be nice.” I picked up my plate to take it to the kitchen, but Margie tsked at me and took it out of my hands. “Margie, I’m happy to clean up behind myself.”

  “No, ma’am. I’m happy to do it. Especially today!” She smiled. “Imagine, we finally have a Rousseau back in the house. This is a wonderful day.”

  “It must feel weird. You’ve been here your whole lives and I just show up and it’s mine.” Chadwick choked on his drink, but I wanted to get that out in the open. “I hope there won’t be any hard feelings. I’m going to need your help.”

  “You have it.” Stanley stood up and grabbed some of the dishes. “I assure you there is no resentment. Taking care of the Rousseau Manor and its holdings is a job passed down through the generations of my family. It’s something that we take very seriously.”

  “Thank you.” I picked up some of the other dishes since Margie’s hands were too full for her to take them.

  “Have you thought of what you’d like to do tonight?” Margie asked. “For dinner, I mean. We weren’t sure if you’d want to eat here or go out.”

  “I’d like to unpack and relax a little.” I looked over at Chadwick to make sure he didn’t have any other ideas. He nodded his head and I felt relief wash over me. “In fact, I’d like nothing more than a big sandwich for dinner and to spend some time getting to know the house.”

  “Are you sure, ma’am? I’d be happy to make anything you would like.” Margie stepped in front of the sink so she could keep me from doing any of the cleaning.

  “Margie has even scoured the Internet for American dishes.” Stanley smiled at his wife proudly.

  “Honestly, one of my favorite things to eat is a giant turkey sandwich with lots of cheese and mayo.” I sighed. “It’s comfort food.”

  “Then a turkey sandwich it will be. Do you have a preference for when you like to eat?”

  “Margie, I can make my own sandwich. You don’t need to do that.” I frowned. “Really! I’ll call you for the big dinners or anything fancy because I’m pretty helpless in the kitchen. But I can make a turkey sandwich.”

  “Are you sure, ma’am? I truly don’t mind.”

  “I’m sure, and please call me Samantha.” Margie’s eyes widened and I heard Chadwick sigh.

  “She’s having a hard time adjusting to being royalty,” Chadwick explained.

  “He’s right. Everywhere I’ve gone in the last week or so people refer to me as Duchess, ma’am, or some other title. I’ve shaken hands with a million people and had my photo taken two million times.” I paused, trying to find the right words. “But here? Here I want to be Samantha. I’d prefer Sam even, but I’m willing to compromise. I just want to feel at home.”

  Margie smiled sadly at me. “All right then, Samantha. I’ll let you make your own dinner tonight.”

  “Thank you.” I felt relieved that we’d gotten that out of the way. I talked to them for a while, standing in the kitchen, laughing as they told me stories about the locals and their families. Stanley offered me a glass of wine and I forced Chadwick to take one as well.

  After a while, Chadwick and I meandered around the house, looking at the rooms. The mixture of Chadwick’s sly jokes and the wine had given me the giggles. When we opened a closet only to have an avalanche of blankets fall out, I died laughing as Chadwick tried to push them all back in. I held his glass while he cursed under his breath and used his shoulder to force the door shut. Eventually we ended up in the library upstairs.

  We were looking at a painting when I saw the package on the desk. There was a note tucked into the twine that held the brown paper in place.

  I wanted you to have something here that would make you feel as if your mother was with you.

  Happy Housewarming.

  -A

  I shook my head as I unwrapped the copy of Pride and Prejudice we had argued over. I opened the book and gently flipped through the pages as Chadwick looked over my shoulder.

  “Oh, is that Pride and Prejudice?”

  “Second Edition.” I closed the book and ran my fingers over the spine.

  “I’m guessing this was from Alex?” Chadwick stood back and narrowed his eyes.

  “What makes you assume that?” I looked around the room, trying to pick a place to put the book.

  “One, you haven’t had a ton of guests today. Two, that silly smile.” Chadwick wiggled his eyebrows over his glass.

  “Shut it, Chad. Yes, it was Alex.” I sighed. “I guess this is why Ned didn’t join us for lunch. He must have snuck up here while we were eating.”

  “You like him.”

  “Ned?” I laughed.

  “You like Alex.” It wasn’t a question. I looked at Chadwick, wondering what I should tell him. Maybe it was the wine, but I felt like I could trust him with just about anything.

  “Yes.” I groaned. “A lot. So much more than I should. I’m starting to not even care that he’s a prince.”

  “His title is why you’re playing hard to get?”<
br />
  “I’m not playing hard to get. What the hell would I do with a boyfriend who’s in line for the throne?”

  “What the hell would he do with an American duchess?”

  “Harsh, but true.” I fell down into the old leather chair behind the desk. “And you summed up the whole problem in one sentence.”

  “I don’t get it. You like him. He likes you. Why fight it?” Chad leaned against the desk. “You’re making this more difficult than it should be.”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” I leaned my head back and stared at the ceiling. “Hey, there’s a pattern up there.”

  “You’re drunk.” He looked up at the ceiling. “Ew, someone put wallpaper under the molding. That needs to go.”

  “Heh. Tipsy, not drunk.” But I was on my way to being drunk. This is why I didn’t drink in public. He was also right about the wallpaper.

  “Samantha?”

  “Yeah?” I leaned my head to the side so I could see him.

  “What would your best friend tell you to do about Alex?” He lifted his glass to his mouth.

  “Jess would tell me to hit that.” He sputtered into his cup and I laughed. “Actually, she has told me to hit that. Several times now.”

  “She sounds like a smart woman.”

  “You’d love Jess.” I turned my attention back to the ceiling. “Her boyfriend e-mailed me pictures of engagement rings. He’s going to pop the question soon. I was sad at first that I wouldn’t be there to celebrate with her, but then I realized it had worked out for the best. They’re going to need their own space.”

  “I’m sure she’ll still want you to celebrate with them. Maybe you guys can go dress shopping this summer when she comes to visit.”

  “Oh, God. You take her dress shopping. I’ll send my card—just don’t make me go with you.”

  He laughed at me. “I’ll set her up right.”

  “Good.” I bit my lip before turning to look at him. “Why did you argue with your boyfriend?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Oh, come on! I spilled, you spill. That’s how this works.” I sat up straight and tried to give him the puppy-dog look. He laughed at me so hard he tipped his wine glass and had to use his jacket to wipe the liquid off the desk.

  “Okay, okay.” He sighed. “Daniel technically isn’t supposed to be gay.”

  “Daniel?” I leaned forward. “Adorable Daniel, the Duke of Minsington?”

  “That’s the one.” He sighed into his cup. “Want another glass of wine?”

  “Why not? I sense a good story coming.” I stood up and we made our way back to the kitchen. Stanley and Margie had left, but the bottle of wine was still sitting on the island. I poured us both another glass and headed for the family room. Stanley had stoked a fire, so we sat down and watched the flames.

  “Okay. Daniel and I have been seeing each for years now. It works, because I was living at the palace and he usually makes a trip to the city at least twice a month.” He sighed. “The thing is, it can’t last the way it’s going. He won’t officially come out. He’s worried that his family will cut him off.”

  “Can they do that? I thought Lilaria legalized gay marriage.” I set my glass down on the table.

  “Yes, gay marriage was legalized, but that doesn’t mean his family is a fan.” Chadwick stared into the fire. “Danny could stand up to his family. They can’t take away his title or disown him, but they could make his life hell.”

  “And that’s enough to keep him away?”

  “No. He keeps trying to figure out a risk-free way. He’s all about playing it safe and covering all his bases.” He took another swallow of his wine. “I’m just tired of waiting.”

  “Chadwick, you didn’t have to come here.” I frowned. “You could have stayed and figured something out.”

  “We didn’t fight because I moved out here with you. I wanted to come. His estate is only an hour from here. We fought because I’m tired of being careful. I don’t want to have to keep my distance or only stay in. I want to live life with him and we can’t do that in a bedroom. Well, there’s only so much we can do in a bedroom.”

  “Oh.” I looked at the wine in my glass. “Even without the wine, I wouldn’t have any sage advice.”

  “Ah. Well, maybe I do.” He pursed his lips when he turned to look at me. “You have someone who wants to be with you. Do you know how much he had to rearrange to be able to come out here with you?”

  I shook my head no.

  “A lot. A ton. He called in favors to get people to cover some of his appearances. That man is willing to go out of his way for you. Stop being dense.”

  I blinked at him in surprise. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t tell me. Tell him. Everyone has baggage, Samantha. His just happens to be very public. He needs someone who will be with him that he can trust. He needs someone who isn’t going to use him or let him forget that he’s human.” Chadwick reached over and poked my shoulder. “He needs you.”

  “You just poked me.” I looked at his finger.

  “I did. I poked a duchess.” He snorted. “That’s a first.”

  “You really think he needs me?”

  “I think you need each other.”

  “Oh, geez.” I sighed. “What if he breaks my heart? It’ll be all over the tabloids. The American duchess that was dumped by the prince.”

  “Maybe you’d be the one doing the dumping,” Chadwick pointed out.

  “And what if there is no dumping?” I said the words quietly.

  “You mean, what if you guys decide to tie the knot and make adorable little babies?”

  “I hadn’t thought about babies, but what if we fall in love? Where does that leave him and his title? I just can’t imagine starting something with him, knowing there’s an expiration date.”

  “Oh, honey. I think it’s too late to be worried about falling in love.” He chuckled. “And why would it affect his title? You’re a royal. There’s no reason he couldn’t marry you. Heck, The Prince of Wales in England married a commoner. The world is changing.”

  “But me? I’m not from Lilaria. Not really.” I frowned. Chadwick thought it was too late for me to worry about falling in love? It wasn’t love. It was fascination. I liked him, yes. I respected him. I certainly lusted after him. But it wasn’t love. Yet.

  “Royals have married royals from other countries throughout history. The key is to make the person feel loved. Let them know you would put them first.” He said something in Lilarian that made me sit up straight.

  “What does that mean?” It was the exact phrase Alex had used on the plane after helping me with my dress.

  “All things are possible with love.” He smiled at me. “It’s a very common expression here.”

  “All things…” I let the words sink in and tried to apply them to me and Alex.

  “Think about it.” He stood up and stretched. “I’m going to bed.”

  “Thanks, Chadwick.” I smiled at him.

  “For what?”

  “For letting me be me.” I stood up and hugged him. “For poking me, for talking this out with me.”

  “Ah, you’re a sap when you drink.” He laughed. “Go get some sleep.”

  “All right, but I’m not drunk.”

  “Good night.”

  I took our glasses to the kitchen and rinsed them out before heading upstairs. Chadwick must have had someone unpack my bags because my clothes were in the closet and dressers. On a whim I grabbed one of the satin nightgowns and slid it on. The wine had me hot and the cool material felt good against my skin. I brushed my teeth and climbed into bed but couldn’t get comfortable. My mind kept going over the phrase Alex had used. Could it be true? Could love get someone through anything? I ran my fingers over the necklace around my neck.

  After a while I decided to get a glass of water. In less than thirty seconds out of my bedroom door, I had stubbed my toe and ran into a small table. I held onto the stair rail and took the steps slowly. How ironic
would be if they brought me back here and I fell down the stairs my first night? A small lamp in the corner of the kitchen gave me enough light to find the glasses. I poured myself some water and leaned against the counter.

  I was contemplating making a snack since I had never gotten around to making my sandwich when someone knocked on the front door. My body froze in place except for my heart—it sped up. I set my glass down and made my way through the living room. Maybe Chadwick had gotten lost on his way to his house. I wasn’t crazy though and grabbed a large bust from a nearby table. Edging to the door, I tried to peek out of the small window at the top, but I couldn’t see anything.

  “Who is it?” I called.

  “Alex.”

  A Royal Sleepover?

  —Lilarian Tale

  If I had thought my heart was beating fast earlier, it didn’t compare to what happened when I heard his voice. I twisted the lock and peeked out the door.

  “What are you doing here?” I brushed some of my hair out of my eyes. He was standing there in jeans, a dark T-shirt, and a simple jacket.

  “I have to leave tomorrow afternoon.” He tucked his hands into his pockets. “May I come in? It’s cold.”

  “Oh, yeah.” I pulled the door open wider and stepped back. His eyes raked over me and I realized I was standing there in my nightie.

  “What were you going to do with that?”

  I looked at the statue I was clutching and set it back on the table. “I don’t know. Bash you on the head I guess.”

  “I see.” He definitely saw something. His eyes were locked on me like laser beams. “I thought you slept in your underwear.”

  “That was a joke.” I frowned.

  “This isn’t so bad either.” He took a step forward, his fingers grazing the material along my waist. “Were you sneaking down here for a glass of milk?”

  “Water.” My voice caught and I had to swallow to wet my throat. “Why are you here?”

  “I told you I’d see you before I left.” He didn’t move his hand from my waist and his fingers were causing waves of need to wash through my body. “And I found out I have to go to Paris tomorrow afternoon.”