Page 43 of The Prince Falls First
“But I still won’t share who it was So, please don’t ever bring it up to me again. It’s not a pleasant memory.”
“Of course,” he readily agreed. “I won’t bring it up again unless you do so first, my dear.”
They pulled up to the palace, went through several security gates, and entered the courtyard. The car pulled up under an awning and Gabriel tapped on the door to confirm it should be opened.
Corrado was waiting for him, as usual. “Sir.”
He stepped out, then held out a hand for Genevieve. “The road near Miss Ruffin’s home was flooded, so we’ll need to arrange a guestroom for her tonight, and give Mrs. Ruffin a call letting her know. Miss Ruffin, this is my chief of staff, Corrado. Corrado, may I introduce Miss Genevieve Ruffin.”
As she stepped out, she gave Corrado a smile. “It’s lovely to meet you. I can call my mother myself, if you’ll direct me to a phone.”
“Not at all, Miss Ruffin. I’m happy to do it.” To Gabriel, he added. “The Rose Room should be ready for guests, Sir.”
“Wonderful. Have the others returned?”
“Yes, Sir, theyallreturned near half an hour ago.”
He nodded and tucked Genevieve’s arm into his and started walking.
When they were out of earshot of everyone but his protection agents, she asked, “What did he mean?”
“Apparently, you’re not the only one sleeping over.”
nine
What a day: a picnic, a palace, and plates of fries and pies. ~ from Gen’s diary
GENEVIEVE
If Gen had been awed by the palace the last time around, going into the Royal Wing was another level entirely. This was the royals’ personal space but it was no less lavish. Gorgeous art, antique tables and vases, and fresh flowers adorned the foyer as they stepped inside. She tried to imagine how many flowers were used for the palace alone, but the potential cost of that made her feel slightly queasy so she stopped.
“They’re from the gardens and greenhouses.”
She glanced up at him, startled to see he was watching her intensely as she took everything in. “What?”
He nodded at the vase. “The flowers. We cultivate them on site, though we do arrange for flower deliveries for larger occasions such as the ball where we danced.”
“Oh.”
He squeezed her hand. “Are you all right? I know it may feel…overwhelming to be here.”
“That’s an understatement. Where’s my room?” She wanted to lie down, and maybe not get up again until she had to leave in the morning.
He tugged her hand as he started down a long hallway. “This way.”
As they walked, he explained the general layout. This wing was extensive, and included suites for the family (with many to spare), multiple guest rooms, common areas, along with staff to manage the separate kitchen, housekeeping, and other needs.
“How many people work here?”
“It varies, but I would guess around 1,200 across the whole palace, plus the staff in our offices.”
“That’s…a lot.”
“To some, yes. Yet, to me, this is simply home.”
Home. That word held so many contrasting connotations for her. Home was what her father had been and where they’d lived while he was alive. But now she was without a home, and it certainly didn’t seem like she could command allTHISone day and make it a home either.
He led her to a door with an elegant placard in script naming it the “Rose Room”. He opened the door and pulled her inside, and she realized for the first time that they were truly alone. Apparently, his security agents didn’t need to follow him closely inside the Royal Wing, though she noticed one standing at the very far end of the hallway, many rooms down.
