Alexander & Rebecca (Royals of Valleria #1) (18 page)

Her eyes flitted down to her wrinkled dress. It probably hadn’t been the best idea to wear it to sleep. Even though her mother had steamed it before she left, the fabric was prone to creasing. Now she literally had nothing else to wear, and no chance to go shopping before dinner.

“I’ll show you to your room first,” Cat said. “I’m sure you want to freshen up.”

“My Lady, I, well, I think I should just have dinner in my room.”

“That’s silly,” Cat said, brushing away the comment. Rebecca clutched her stomach again, which only reminded her she essentially had only the clothes on her back.

“Cat,” Alex said. “A word.”

While they conferred in whispers, Rebecca stood in front of a large painting. She was too afraid to touch anything, worried she might ruin something.

“Rebecca,” Cat said as she whirled around. “Alex will show you to your room.” She came over and grasped Rebecca’s hands. “Go take a bath and relax. I’m going to come by in about half an hour with some fresh clothes. You can borrow some of mine until you get some more. All right?”

A wave of relief crashed inside Rebecca. “Yes, My Lady, thank you so much,” she said as she gripped Cat’s hands back.

“It’s nothing at all. I’ll see you soon, all right?”

“I’m taking her to the Lavender Room, Cat.”

“Oh, that’s one of my favorites. You’ll love it.”

“Thank you. Both of you,” she said as she looked at Alex.

Cat walked away with a wave and she and Alex strode down one of the corridors. Servants wandered this way and that, so she didn’t dare try to take his hand, though she wanted to very much.

After a few corners and another long hallway, Alex stopped in front of a door labeled in embellished script with the
Lavender Room
.

“This is where you’ll be staying. I hope you’ll enjoy your time here.”

He had a smirk on his face she couldn’t quite decipher. Something was going on, though she wasn’t sure what. “Is there anyone else in the other rooms nearby?”

Alex shook his head. “Just you, as we haven’t any other guests, but you’re perfectly safe. Agents are situated at the ends of the corridors, and all the doors have locks. There are also cameras as well,” he said gesturing to some of the visible ones near the ceiling.

She had to admit, she’d had visions of him coming to visit her in the dead of night, but could see that wouldn’t be possible now. “So, everyone will know if someone comes near my door, then?”

“Yes, they will,” he said softly, and turned the handle.

When Rebecca stepped inside she gasped. Vases filled with dried lavender filled the entryway, and ensnared her senses. “I love lavender.”

“I know you do,” he murmured as he shut the door behind them. “You wear it every day,” he said as he walked closer. “Do you know how many nights I’ve had, where all my dreams are filled with you and the scent of lavender?”

“No,” she breathed. “Probably as many as I’ve had of you.”

His nostrils flared and his eyes darkened. “You’ve dreamt of me?” he asked as he pulled her swiftly against him.

“You told me to.”

Alex laughed, then sighed as her hands roamed up his chest to lock around his neck. “I knew this room would be perfect for you,” he said before he kissed her, long and deep. His hands fisted in the back of her dress as he pressed her harder against him.

She moaned and he maneuvered her against the wall, taking and giving as he did so. All she could think of was him and this moment. They were together. After a god-awful day, she was in his arms again.

A knock sounded at the door and she gasped. “Miss Campo? I have fresh towels and supplies for you,” a female voice called.

Alex took a second before pulling away. He ran a hand through his hair and took a few deep breaths. When he nodded, she opened the door.

“Bonjour, Mademoiselle. I am Marie,” the young maid said with a soft French accent as she entered. “Oh!” she said when she spotted Alex. “I beg your pardon, Your Highness,” she said as she dropped into a curtsy.

Alex, his royal mask firmly in place, smiled and said, “Think nothing of it. Princess Catharine designated me to show Miss Campo to her room. How is your family, Marie?”

“Very well, thank you, Your Highness. I’ll just put these away.”

“Thank you so much,” Rebecca said as she followed the maid into the bathroom to give Alex a few more moments. She was stunned again by the elegant beauty of the bedroom and bathroom, which was complete with a giant whirlpool tub. She noticed it was large enough for two people.

When they came back out, Marie quickly curtsied and left. Rebecca leaned against the closed door and watched Alex as he walked slowly towards her. He stopped barely a breath away, and his hand lifted to caress her cheek. Her face leaned into him.

“Cat will be here soon. Don’t worry so much about dinner, all right?” he said.

Rebecca nodded. “I’ll try. It’s nerve-wracking meeting the King and Queen for the first time. You said your father knows about us, but does your mother?”

Alex smiled. “So you finally admit there’s an ‘us’. Progress.”

Her heart may not have left her another choice
, she thought. “The Queen?”

“I’m not sure if Papa told her. Mama is very intuitive, however. I’m sure she’ll pick up on things when I can’t keep my eyes off you all evening.”

“Alex, you must take more care,” she said as she shifted away from the door, and him. “What if she doesn’t accept me?” she asked, and her mother’s advice about ‘what ifs’ came to her mind.

Alex came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m not trying to pressure you to decide anything,” he said softly. “You’ll have time to decide if I’m what you really want.”

“It’s not you that I’m unsure of, exactly.”

“I know.” He dropped a kiss on her head. “Just know that I’m sure of you, and I have much more experience in these matters.”

Rebecca huffed a laugh. While she loved the feeling of his arms around her, she really wanted a bath and some time alone before dinner. “You’d better go.”

Alex kissed her head again before slipping his arms away, and she felt the loss of his warmth around her. “I’ll stop by to walk you to dinner.”

“I think it’s better if we kept our distance tonight.”

Rebecca noticed the gleam in Alex’s eye, as though she’d just challenged him. “All right, darling. Make sure you ask Cat to take you then; it’s easy to get lost in these halls the first time you walk them.”

Rebecca nodded and, with a last look, he left. Rebecca let out a long sigh as she walked to the bathroom. What had she gotten herself into?

Rebecca was curvier than Cat, so the soft dark purple dress she wore was a bit tight but seemed to work. As she turned this way and that in the full-length mirror, she thought she might look a little too enticing to Alex with its tight, sparkling bodice and flared, twirling skirt.

Cat had not only brought a dress that would match the shoes she already had, but some makeup as well. Rebecca could be nothing but extremely grateful. Though she had met the King before she had never been introduced to the Queen, a daunting prospect on a normal day but a fear-inducing one when she was becoming involved with her son.

Rebecca took a deep breath and felt the fabric stretch against her skin. She would have to be careful how much she ate at dinner, though she was so nervous she thought she’d be hard-pressed to eat anything.

“Ready, Rebecca?” Cat asked as she poked her head into the bedroom. “You look fabulous,” she said as she came to stand next to her. “Stop worrying.”

“Sooner said than done, My Lady.”

“You’re going to be all formal and everything this evening, aren’t you?” Cat asked with a sigh.

With disbelieving eyes, Rebecca said, “How can I be anything but, My Lady? I’m to meet the Queen for the first time.”

“I suppose. It’s a shame you aren’t my sister, then you wouldn’t have to bother with all the formality.”

“You already have three other sisters, My Lady. Would you really like more?” she probed gently.

“Definitely,” she said firmly. “One can never have too many sisters. Now, if you’re ready, let’s go. We wouldn’t want to be late.”

Cat chattered away as they walked the long, confusing hallways until they reached an open family room. Even with the elegant furnishings, Rebecca was a little startled to see something so cozy and welcoming.

They turned another corner and entered a large sitting room. Lush, antique chairs and couches were scattered around the dormant fireplace, as well as other sections of the room. And there, next to the mantle, stood Alex and the Queen, sipping drinks.

“Mama, may I present Miss Rebecca Campo. Rebecca, Queen Genevieve Santoro di Valleria.”

Rebecca dropped into a curtsy, deeper and more formal than she gave Cat or the other royal siblings; she was the Queen, after all. When Rebecca stood again, she dropped a small curtsy to Alex, who smiled softly.

“My dear,” the Queen said as she walked to Rebecca and, in a moment of pure surprise, gave her a kiss on each cheek. “Come, sit,” Genevieve said as she led her to a sofa. “Alex, get her a drink. What would you like? Such ghastly business today with the explosion. I cannot even imagine what you’re going through.”

“Th-Thank you, Your Royal Highness,” Rebecca stuttered as she sat down. “Just some wine, please, Sir,” she said to Alex.

“Of course,” he said in a low voice and began to pour her drink and Cat’s. Rebecca wished his voice did not affect her so; with two words she was transported back to her suite and flushed as she remembered him kissing her against the wall.

When he handed her a wineglass, he gave her a small wink and she felt her cheeks warm. He then turned and gave a glass of wine to Cat.

“How are you doing, my dear?”

“As well as can be expected, my Queen,” she said before taking a drink. The icy chill of the wine slid down her throat in relief.

“I’m sure,” Genevieve said as she patted Rebecca’s hand. “Do I recognize this dress, Catharine?”

“It’s one of mine, Mama,” Cat said from her perch on an opposite couch next to Alex, who watched Rebecca with unflinching eyes. “Rebecca lost all her clothes, so I’ve lent her some of mine.”

“I very much appreciate it, Princess Catharine,” Rebecca said quickly. “It was a very kind thing to do.”

“Then I wish I’d thought of it. Alex is the one who suggested it to me.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened as she glanced at Alex. “I thank you as well, Sir.”

“It was easy to suggest it, but Cat took the trouble of putting it all together.”

“Alex tells me you’re to stay with us until this terrible mess is resolved,” Genevieve said.

“Yes, my Queen, if you approve of it. I am happy to find other accommodations if that is your wish,” Rebecca said and saw Alex’s eyes flash from the corner of her eye.

“Of course I don’t mind. Catharine would have my head if I said anything against the idea, and I’m sure my husband does not mind, either.”

“He doesn’t,” a voice called from the doorway. Rebecca turned towards the voice to see King Gabriel standing there. She quickly put down her drink and fell into a deep curtsy, as she had done with the Queen.

When she rose, it was to find the King in front of her. He gave her a long look, as if he were searching for something, and then kissed her forehead, surprising her. She’d had no idea the King and Queen would be so affectionate.

“Sit, child,” he said gesturing to her seat. “Alex, fix me a drink, would you?” he said as he gave Cat a kiss on the cheek, and then kissed his wife before taking a seat beside her. Alex handed him a glass just as Marcello entered.

“Sorry I’m late,” Marcello said as he greeted his family and went to get a drink. When he greeted Rebecca, she did a small curtsy and sat quickly down again.

“What’s the latest, Marcello?” Alex asked, only to see everyone give furtive looks towards Rebecca. “She’s in the middle of this, and she’s discreet. She deserves to know why her home and all her belongings are gone.”

“I’m happy to leave the room, Your Highnesses,” Rebecca said as she stood up.

“Sit,” Alex said firmly and, after a pause, Rebecca complied. “You’re not going anywhere.” Alex and the Gabriel exchanged a silent look before the Gabriel said, “Alex is right. Speak freely, Marcello.”

“All right,” Marcello said as he gave Rebecca a curious look. “We know what type of bomb it is. I’ll spare you the technicalities and just say that we’re trying to track down the perpetrator by the parts used. Even better news is that we’ve got a partial fingerprint on the device. It may have been planted, and likely can’t be used in a criminal case, but it’s something.”

“How long before you know?” Gabriel asked.

“We’re running the print now through national and international databases. It’ll take longer if it’s not in the system, but we’re hopeful. Someone like this typically has a criminal past somewhere.”

“Still no idea on motive?” Alex asked.

Marcello shook his head. “It’s definitely a grudge against us, the royal family. More photos showed up, more threats. I’ve got everyone covered,” he said to Gabriel.

“I don’t know how I’m going to get any sleep tonight,” Genevieve said, and Gabriel took her hand in his.

“Me, either,” Cat said.

“Me, either, Your Highnesses,” Rebecca said with a small smile. As she caught Genevieve’s sympathetic eye, she missed Alex’s furrowed brows.

“We’ll get through it,” Gabriel said simply. “Valleria has endured for centuries, and it will endure for many more, God willing.”

“Well said,” Genevieve said and kissed Gabriel’s cheek.

“Speaking of endurance, I spent more than an hour on the phone with my cousin, Gerald, today,” Gabriel said, swiftly changing the subject. Groans and winces swept through the room.

“Why did you take his call, Papa?” Cat asked. “He’s ever so long-winded and demanding.” To Rebecca, she said, “This a distant cousin of Papa’s, several times removed. He holds onto his small shred of royalty as though it were a priceless treasure.”

“Catharine,” Genevieve warned. “Hold your tongue. Family is family.”

“He’s not really family, though, is he?” Cat asked and turned to Rebecca again. “He flirts with and gropes all the maids when he comes to visit, and it’s just awful.”

“Catharine,” Gabriel said in a low voice.

“Sorry, Papa. I thought it best to warn her in case you’re about to tell us he’s coming for a visit.”

“He’s not, is he?” Genevieve asked with the slightest note of panic.

“No, my dear,” Gabriel said as he kissed their joined hands. “He’s still in Switzerland. He owns a bank there,” he said to Rebecca.

“Doesn’t he have a daughter the same age as you two?” Marcello asked to Alex and Cat, frowning.

Cat shuddered. “Yes, Zinnia. A lovely name for a terrible person. She teased me something awful at the Christmas Ball one year. It was absolutely the worst Christmas I’ve ever had.”

“We were six years old at the time, as I recall.” Alex said with a smile.

“Still, though!” Cat said indignantly and everyone laughed. “I’m glad we don’t see that side of the family much.”

“Don’t you, My Lady?” Rebecca asked.

Alex answered. “Not really. Somewhere down the line of our family history there was an abdication that caused a split down the tree. We’re still on friendly terms with them, even if we are not, strictly, friends. What did Gerald want, Papa?”

“To discuss new changes to Swiss banking rules, which are decidedly appealing to him. He wants ownership of some Vallerian banks instead.”

“You didn’t provide him with any contacts, did you?” Alex asked.

“I suggested he find another solution to his problem.”

“So you politely told him never to call you again?” Marcello asked with a faint smile. “The man is a terrible banker and knows next to nothing about finance and the world markets.”

“Exactly,” Alex said. “Valleria is still recovering from the worldwide recession. There’s no reason to destroy all the good work that’s been done to restore our economy, just because he’s some distant family.”

“Dinner is served, Your Highnesses,” a butler announced from the doorway and bowed.

“Excellent, timing,” Gabriel said as he stood and everyone followed suit.

Gabriel took Genevieve’s arm and walked out first, followed by Marcello and Cat, leaving her and Alex alone for a brief moment.

When the room emptied, he walked over to her and gave her a light kiss. “You look beautiful tonight, Rebecca,” he said as he slipped her arm through his and began to follow the crowd towards the dining room. “You did beautifully with my parents.”

Though her knees were still a little weak from the whole experience, she smiled. “Truly, Alex? I wouldn’t wish to embarrass you, or myself.”

“You didn’t.”

“Do you think your father liked me? I couldn’t tell.”

“I think he already loved you like a daughter for your father’s sake, and now he’ll love you for your own. And I think my mother is quite fond of you as well.” Alex leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Do you think you’ll really have trouble sleeping tonight?”

“Yes,” she said matter-of-factly. She didn’t add that it would likely be thoughts of him keeping her awake. She was mourning the loss of her apartment and possessions, but she was moreso yearning to be held by him again. “I’ll make it through, though. I’ve got to be or else I’ll be useless at work tomorrow.”

“You’re not working tomorrow.”

“I am.” Before he could protest further, she said, “I need to. I can’t just stay in my room and worry and wonder. If I stay busy, I won’t think about it as much.”

Alex sighed. “All right, but please don’t overdo it.”

“You’re getting bossy again.”

“When it comes to your health and safety, you can count on me to be the bossiest person you know.”