Page 33 of The Prince Falls First
“It wasn’t a threat.” He rose and shifted to sit next to her, his body flush against hers. One of his arms slid along her back, tucking her closer to him, while the other loosened her arms and took her hand. “I think you’re so used to threats living in that house that you can’t recognize a promise when you see one.”
“It’s because I live in that house that I do know what a threat is. Someone denying me my freedom, in whatever form, is a threat to me.”
“So freedom is your ultimate goal?”
“Haven’t I made that clear by now? I want freedom and I want control of my own life for once.”
Agnes’s voice rang out from the outer office. “Oh, Mother! How lovely of you to stop by.”
Gabriel kissed Gen’s hand, then stood and helped her up. “We’re out of time. I know you think you can’t get that freedom and control here, but you’re wrong, and I’ll prove it to you. We’re going on a date. I’ll ask Agnes to arrange a ruse of sorts, just follow our lead. For now, it’s time for you to meet my mother.”
“I…no. I can’t meet her.”
“You technically already have, at the charity ball. It’s not so different.”
She immediately started patting her hair and brushing a hand over her dress, trying to clear any wrinkles.
“You look beautiful, as always.”
She didn’t quite believe him, though she wanted to. But she had no time to think on that because his mother—the Queen! —entered in the next moment.
Queen Victoria seemed to float into the room. She was wearing a stylish outfit of high-end pants and a silk shirt, a simple pearl necklace and matching earrings. Her black hair was shiny and in an elegant updo, and she seemed to be glowing. Gen could see the resemblance between her and her kids, at least the two in the room with her.
“Oh, you have a guest. I didn’t realize.”
“Yes, Mother. I asked my newest friend, Miss Genevieve Ruffin, over for tea. Gabriel happened to stop by in the midst of our chat too. Miss Ruffin, may I present my mother, Queen Victoria.”
Gen curtsied deeply and rose. “It’s an honour to meet you, Your Majesty.”
The queen’s eyes darted between Gen and Gabriel and a wide smile split her face.
Oh, God. Gen hoped she wouldn’t get the wrong idea.
“How lovely to meet you. Please sit. Let’sallsit and enjoy a cup together.”
“Louise is bringing in a fresh pot. Ours has probably gone cold by now.”
As they all settled on the sofa and chairs, Gen between Agnes and the queen, Agnes spoke first. “Miss Ruffin is the eldest daughter of the late Peter Ruffin, the former Minister of Education.”
“Oh of course. I knew him, though not as well as His Majesty did. I’ll ask him to speak to you at the next function, whatever that may be.”
Gen smiled demurely, shifting into her ‘society’ mode. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I always love hearing stories about my father.”
The queen patted her hand. “Naturally.”
Gabriel exchanged a glance with Agnes, then spoke. “Before you arrived, Mother, we were talking of the ruins of the Château de Crussol. Miss Ruffin has never been there, so we thought to make up a small party and visit.”
“A delightful idea. Why not invite your brothers and a few select others and make it a picnic lunch? I’m sure Miss Ruffin would appreciate spending time withallof you.”
Gabriel smiled blandly and responded with, “Of course, Mother.”
Gen wasn’t sure how she knew, but she sensed Gabriel hated the idea of more people in the party with them. She wasn’t too keen on the idea herself, to be honest. Her, with all the royal siblings, plus some ‘select’ others?
Not to mention, when her mother found out, she’d be ecstatic, and Henrietta would be miserable and she’d take that misery out on Gen.
“Your cup, Miss Ruffin.”
Gen startled a bit as Louise held out a cup to her, and she took it with a quick thanks. The others had continued talking about the site they’d visit, and thankfully hadn’t noticed her lost in her thoughts.
