Page 35 of The Prince Falls First
“Don’t bet on it, Your Highness.” She curtsied and got in the car. When they were through the last gates of the palace, she rubbed her hands over her face and sighed. How would sheexplain all this to her mother in a way that didn’t get her hopes up?
GABRIEL
When Gabriel returnedto his office, he was unsurprised to find both his mother and sister waiting for him. They were on his sofa, with determined looks on their faces. He donned his poker face and sat down near them.
“See, Mother? He’s practically giddy when it comes to her.”
He wasn’t even smiling at the moment, so he wasn’t sure how he was projecting ‘giddy’. “Really, Agnes? I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
She poked him in the knee. “You. Were. Laughing. A lot. I heard it. I’ve hardly ever heard you laugh like that.”
He sighed. He couldn’t deny that. He’d gotten so used to keeping his ‘royal face’ on in public, that he’d started to do it in private with his family too. He did laugh, but only behind closed doors. With Genevieve, it seemed easier somehow.
“Unless…you weren’t laughingather, were you?”
Annoyance flitted across his face. “Of course not. I would never do that.”
“I’d like to become better acquainted with her, but I did form a good impression of her today,” their mother said, then grimaced. “Her mother though…”
Agnes nodded. “She is quite the handful.”
He felt the need to defend Genevieve, if not her mother. “Miss Ruffin seems to handle her well enough, from what we saw at the Kaur’s the other night.”
“That’s very true,” Agnes agreed. “You should have seen her, Mother. I doubt even you could have done better.”
“High praise indeed.” As a clock chimed nearby, their mother checked her pearl and platinum watch, a gift from their father for her birthday years ago. “Unfortunately, I must run to yet another meeting, but I want to see her again soon. Bring her over for a family dinner.”
As their mother rose, so did he and Agnes. He gave his mother a brief nod. “If you want her to run away screaming, a family dinner would accomplish that.”
“Oh, we’re not that bad.”
At her children’s weary expressions, their mother laughed. “All right, all right. Agnes, you call her over for tea again, and I’ll pop by.”
She waved as she rushed off, leaving only Agnes in his office. “I like her too, you know.”
“You did mention that.”
“I meant it, but more I like whoyouare around her. I think you like her too.”
“There’s a big difference, sister dear, between liking a woman and believing she could be queen.” Though he did think Genevieve was up to the task.
Agnes shook her head, a teasing smile on her face. “You’re not fooling anyone. You wouldn’t bother with herat allif you thought she wasn’t good enough to lead the country with you. That’s why you’re such a serial dater. But you’ve gone out of your way to spend time with her—on multiple occasions—which means she’s different to you. She’s not like all the rest.”
Maybe he could be honest with Agnes, and even with himself. “No, she’s not. She’s different.”
Agnes stepped forward and gave him a hug, which he easily returned. “I’m happy for you, eldest brother. I’m happier for myself that I might get a sister I like.”
“It’s still a bit early for that.”
“I know.” She pulled back and looked up at him. “But if she survives an outing with all of us, surely you’ll have your answer?”
He groaned. “Don’t remind me. I dread to think what our brothers will do when they meet her. She may decide I’m not worth the effort.”
“You are though. You know that, right?”
He smiled. “I do, but thank you for the reminder.”
“Don’t worry about a thing. I’m going to plan everything, so leave it to me.” She gave him another quick hug, then left, leaving him alone in the office.
