Page 16 of The Prince Falls First
The royal security agents held open the door while Princess Agnes entered first, then Gen (at Gabriel’s insistence), and him last. As she stepped in, she realized the back of the car had two bench seats facing each other, and a privacy screen up. Seeing the princess on one side that faced forward, she took the other side that would face backward. When the prince settled beside his sister, she suddenly had two people staring directly at her and she felt as if she were on display, an oddity to be observed and examined.
The princess smiled at her as the car began moving. “It was a lovely dinner, was it not, Miss Ruffin?”
Gen nodded and cleared her throat. “It was, Your Highness. I always enjoy coming here.”
“Have you known Miss Kaur a long time? You seem good friends.”
Gen shifted on the seat slightly. Why was she so nervous? “Yes, Your Highness. We’ve known each other since we were very young. Our fathers both worked on the Council together, and our families were close.” At that time anyway. Since her father’s death, the Kaurs invited Gen’s mother for form’s sake (and for Gen’s sake, since she and Sam were friends), but they didn’t care for who her mother had become.
Neither did Gen, actually.
“Miss Ruffin,” Gabriel started, then paused. He glanced at his sister, who now sported a sort of devious smile.
When he glanced back at Gen, his face seemed more determined. “Let’s drop the formalities, shall we?”
Gen blinked. “Pardon?”
He leaned forward and took her hand. She tried to pull back but he wouldn’t let her. “Genevieve, are you truly all right? You seem…unlike yourself.”
She frowned, trying to figure out what he meant when the princess spoke up.
“That man seemed awful. Have we met him before, brother?”
Gabriel shook his head, but said, “In a way, yes.” Then he switched seats to sit beside Gen.
Gen glanced between him and the princess but, based on her smile, the princess didn’t seem to mind the change or what it could mean. In fact, she seemed delighted by it.
Gen turned to Gabriel, and tried again to pull her hand away. “Your Highness.”
“Call me Gabriel, please. I think we’re beyond formality in private, don’t you think?”
As the princess laughed, Gen’s mouth fell open in shock. “That’s not—we’re not—he doesn’t mean that like it sounds, Your Highness!”
“Agnes, please. I agree with dropping the formality.”
After a few more futile tugs of her hand, Gen sighed and gave up. If the man wanted to hold her hand, she’d let him. This time anyway.
Besides, she didn’t want to admit that she liked the way his hand felt. During their dance days ago, they’d both worn gloves, but now she could truly feel the way his broad hand enveloped hers. Was it odd that it made her feel safe?
Perhaps Gabriel had been right with his comments earlier. She did find it hard to reach out for help or comfort. Not surprising considering.
Had she become too ‘independent’ though? Mama had once told her that men don’t like a woman who was too independent, but she called bullshit on that. It was her mother’s behaviour in the first place that made Gen realize she could rely on no one but herself.
Gen wanted a husband, but that didn’t mean she’d find one who could actually give her what she needs and be someone she could rely on. Given his role and status, she didn’t think Gabriel was that man, either.
Gabriel glanced at Agnes. “Our security said that man was part of the Solari family. It was the heir, Thomas.”
“Ah. That explains it.”
Gen glanced between the siblings but they didn’t elaborate further. “Explains what?”
Gabriel brushed it off. “Rumours, that’s all.”
“Tell me.” When he stayed silent, she squeezed their joined hands. “Gabriel?”
Agnes smiled wider but Gabriel sighed. “The Solari family is known to be quite…ruthless, shall we say. And while that may have given them success in business for a time, it’s certainly not the case anymore under Thomas’s reign.”
“They’re not rich anymore?”
