Recklessly Royal (5 page)

“Chadwick will keep her calm.” I touched his arm.

Alex nodded sharply before wrapping an arm around my shoulders, leaning down, and kissing the top of my head. I smiled. This was something he did when he was nervous but didn’t want to say that aloud. It actually worked in his favor, because to those who didn’t know him, he appeared completely comfortable.

“When do we get to eat?” Max picked up a cracker from the table and popped it into his mouth. “This isn’t going to cut it.”

“You just had breakfast.” I rolled my eyes.

“A small breakfast.” He frowned. “Tiny.”

I didn’t take his grumpy attitude personally. He hated being in the public eye as much as, if not more than, Sam. The fact that he had agreed to be Alex’s best man without a fuss was a big deal. It was a large testament to how much he loved our brother.

“There will be snacks after the ceremony.” I walked over to the table and poured myself a glass of water. I needed to go downstairs soon.

“I see the motorcade.” Alex’s voice was quiet. One of the oldest Lilarian traditions was the ride the royal bride took through the city. Thankfully, Sam was able to do it in a car and not in a coach. However, this had meant she had to get ready at a local home before starting her ride to the palace.

“Get away from the window!” I ran over and pulled on his arm. He let me drag him over to a chair. I pushed his shoulders so that he sat, and I turned to look at Max. “Don’t let him peek.”

“Sure.”

“I mean it, Max! If you let him peek I
will
find out. And I
will
make your life a living hell.” I pointed at him.

“Breathe, Cathy. It’s going to be fine.” He shrugged. “I don’t know why it matters anyways.”

“Max,” I warned. “I have to go.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re welcoming her to the palace.” Max waved his cracker in the air. “Blah, blah, tradition, blah, blah.”

“It’s fine, Cathy.” Alex gave me a more normal smile. “I promise to not peek.” He lifted three fingers into the air.

“Okay. I have to go.” I shot Max a glare before darting out of the door. I’d have my hands full with Sam and really needed him to make sure that Alex didn’t have any problems.

Selene was hurrying toward me, her clipboard clutched in her hands. When she saw me, her face relaxed. “The duchess has arrived.”

“I’m coming.” I reached up and touched my tiara. I’d worn a very small one so that it wouldn’t in any way compete with what Sam was wearing. I didn’t want to wear one at all, but it was expected that I represent my title.

The cheer of the crowd could be heard through the castle walls. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, which made me worry even more about Sam. If I was nervous, she must be ready to run and hide. No wonder Alex was scared.

As I rounded a corner I ran into the suit-clad shoulder of a man. “Excuse me.”

“Cathy?” The deep American accent made me pause.

“David?” How did I manage to keep running into him? I looked up at him and felt my stomach tumble for a completely different reason. The man cleaned up nice. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m lost.” He smiled. “Chadwick only gave me a map for Rousseau.”

“Catherine.” Selene’s voice cut into the conversation, reminding me of the time crunch.

“Come on.” Grabbing his hand I pulled him with me. It would take too long to explain how to get to the seating outside. His fingers curled around mine and for some reason my mouth pulled up into a smile.

“Where are we going?” He picked up his pace to keep up with me.

“To welcome the duchess into the royal family.” I winked at him.

He didn’t say anything, but I saw him gulp. I squeezed his fingers to try and reassure him. Mother was waiting at the bottom of the stairs talking with one of her attendants. She looked up as we thundered down, and raised an eyebrow.

“Sorry, I was with Alex.” I leaned forward to kiss her cheek. She looked amazing in a pale green dress that showed her support of the Rousseau family. It was a similar shade to the dresses Jess and I wore at Sam’s wedding party. Everything had been worked around the colors of the Rousseau family crest. Thankfully, Sam liked green.

“Who is your friend?” She smiled at David.

I let go of his fingers quickly. “Mother, this is David Rhodes, Samantha’s friend from Minnesota. He will be working at the FBT and staying at Rousseau while Sam and Alex are away.” Angling my body toward David I smiled. “David, this is my mother, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Felecia.”

I watched his face as he took in what I was telling him. There was no panic, which I had been expecting. Instead, he bowed his head and gave my mother a small smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said.

“The pleasure is mine. It’s always nice to meet Sam’s friends.” Mother turned to me and adjusted the neckline of my dress. Years of practice kept me from rolling my eyes. “Are you ready to step outside?”

“Anyone bring a barf bag for Sam?” I joked. Mother shook her head, but I could see the love in her eyes. She was excited that Alex and Sam were finally making it official.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Chadwick doesn’t have some stuffed in his pockets.” David’s eyes shone with mischief. “I don’t believe I’ve ever met someone as well prepared as him.”

I laughed. “They are probably color coordinated.”

The sound of trumpets announced Samantha’s arrival at the front door and I looked at my mom. Time for the show.

“Selene, would you mind showing David to the guest seats? He’s sitting with Samantha’s family.” I wondered if David had been aware of the fact or not. His face had a look of surprise.

“Of course.” Selene motioned for David to follow her, but his eyes lingered on me.

“Don’t worry, you have a great seat.” I turned away from him and took a deep breath. “Showtime.”

I moved next to my mother and waited for the footmen to open the doors. The roar of the crowds was insane. I could barely hear myself thinking, but I smiled and waved. This was something the people of our country looked forward to, a time when the country united and our traditions were celebrated.

Well, and there was a healthy dose of curiosity.

Samantha’s car idled in front of the stairs and the photographers who had been invited inside the gates snapped pictures at inhuman speed. To my utter relief Sam was laughing in the car. Her face was relaxed and she looked genuinely happy. A thousand pounds of worry lifted from my shoulders and I took a deep breath.

Two footmen dressed in the finest palace livery opened the back door of the sedan and helped Chadwick, Patricia, and Jess out of the car. Jess was wearing a long satin dress similar to mine. Her hair hung loosely down her back and she looked every inch the royal bridesmaid. Stepping to the side, she reached in and took Samantha’s bouquet before moving so that Chadwick could step forward. As I watched, my best friend stepped from the car to the collective roar of the crowd.

Goose bumps erupted along my arms and I had never been more proud of Sam. With a slow turn, she waved to the people inside the gates and peering over the walls. She nodded at the cameras and posed for the photographers. Not once did she look nervous or upset. It was as if she had stepped into her role as princess with ease.

And she looked every inch the part. I had wanted the full effect, jewels, lace, and a train that went for miles, but instead what she wore was so Sam, I couldn’t imagine anything more perfect. The dress was simple, the pleated A-line skirt skimmed the ground and the rhinestone belt gave it just enough glam to make it seem like a fairy tale. The dress was technically strapless but we had gotten around that particular requirement with a sheer top that covered her shoulders and had a piece of lace from her mother’s wedding veil sewn to the shoulder. She had refused to wear a veil that covered her face—something to do with going into the marriage with her eyes wide open—but she did have a very simple one in the back that matched her train in length.

Jess returned the bouquet to Sam before adjusting the train so that it lay flat. Patricia was a step behind the bride as they climbed the stairs and stopped in front of me and my mother. Sam stopped and curtsied; the entire time, the whir of cameras could be heard.

“Welcome today, to the family of D’Lynsal.” Mother stepped forward and kissed each of Sam’s cheeks.

The roar of the crowd was deafening and Sam turned to wave, her carefree style exactly what the waiting people wanted. As we entered the palace, we all turned once more, waving at the cameras before closing the doors.

“Oh for the love of all that is holy, I have never been so nervous in my life.” Patricia fanned at her face with her hands and Chadwick directed her to a small bench.

“You look amazing.” I touched Sam’s dress gingerly. “It’s absolutely perfect.”

“You’ve seen it a hundred times now!” Sam laughed.

“Yes, but not like this. Not all done up and ready.” I felt the tears gathering in my eyes.

“Don’t you dare cry!” Sam pointed at me. “Don’t. You. Dare.”

“I’m not going to cry.” My lip wobbled. “Why would I cry?”

“Because you’re an adorable, sentimental lady.” Sam leaned forward to hug me and I jumped backward.

“Don’t hug me! I don’t want to get makeup on your dress.”

“Oooh. Didn’t think of that.” Sam stood up and looked down at her skirt. “It’s pretty white.”

“You look lovely.” Mother stepped forward to grasp Sam’s free hand. “And you handled that crowd wonderfully.”

“Thank you.” Sam laughed. “I just imagined they were a class full of students excited about birds.”

Jess groaned. “God, you are such a dork.”

“Hey, it worked!” She swatted at her friend with her bouquet.

“I’ll take it. Whatever gets you through today.” I adjusted her veil.

“How is Alex?” Sam looked at me with big eyes. She hadn’t seen him since the rehearsal dinner the night before.

“He’s waiting on you.” I smiled. “Are you ready?”

She took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

“Then let’s do this.” I looked over at Chadwick, who was talking into an earpiece.

“They’re ready.” My stomach fluttered in excitement. After all the work, planning, and stress, the moment had come to see if it had all been worth it. And from the smile on Sam’s face, I was pretty sure I’d managed to pull it all together.

“Alex is ready?” Sam reached up and touched the tiara on her head and took a slow breath.

“Yes. He is in place.” Chadwick took a step in front of Sam. “This is going to be over so quickly, you’ll barely be able to remember it.”

“And the only thing that matters is you and Alex.” Jess touched her friend’s shoulder.

“Guys.” Sam laughed. “I’m fine. Really. I’m just ready to get this over with and start the reception.”

“Did you drug her?” I leaned close to Chadwick and lowered my voice.

“No. Though I did come prepared just in case.” He winked at me. “She genuinely woke up this morning ready to go. I’m a little worried that she might drag Patricia down the aisle.”

“Good thing the children will be walking in front of her.”

“Are you kidding? She might climb right over them.” Chadwick flinched.

“I’m not going to murder children on my wedding day.” Sam frowned as she fidgeted with the green and purple flowers of her bouquet.

“You mean you’d never murder children, right dear?” Mother asked.

“Oh yeah. Of course.” Sam looked up. “Unless they are zombies after my brains. Then all bets are off.”

“Thank you for that important information.” Mother shook her head, used to Sam’s random ramblings. “I have to take my seat.” Stepping forward, she grabbed Sam’s hand. “I’m truly honored that you’re joining our family.”

“That means a great deal to me.” Sam kissed Mother’s cheek briefly and I had to choke back tears. I remembered how scared she had been having lunch with my family so long ago. And now she was comfortable hugging us whenever the thought struck her.

“I’ll see you outside.” Mother turned and made her way out of sight. She would need enough time to be guided to her seat before we could take our places.

“Flowers, party members, clothing. All check.” One of the coordinators looked us over like we were lambs going to slaughter. “You’re ready. Remember, when you hit the outdoor stairs, wait for the music. This will be your cue to begin your march.”

“Thanks.” Sam smiled at the woman.

The children bearing the ring and a small flower basket were escorted into the room next to the outer door with the rest of us. Leo smiled at Sam while digging in one nostril with determination.

“You look pretty.” Violet smiled up at Sam.

“Thank you, but I think you look much prettier.” Sam knelt down and tweaked the little girl’s nose. “I especially like the flowers in your hair.”

“You can wear them if you want. I don’t care.” She reached up to pull at the leaves and flowers worked into her hair.

“No, no. I think it looks too pretty on you to take off now.” Sam stilled the little girl’s hand. “Besides, I heard that only the special flower girls are allowed to wear such pretty things in their hair.”

“Oh. Well, I am special.” Violet smiled at Sam, showing the gap between her two front teeth. My tiny cousin was just over two years old at this point and said everything that was on her mind.

“That you are.” Sam stood up and looked at Leo. “Have you found what you’re looking for?”

“I lost a popcorn kernel.” He tilted his head backward. “Can you see it?”

“How did a popcorn kernel get up your nose?” I knelt down in front of him while his nanny made panicking motions behind his back.

“I was hungry!” He put his hands on his hips and glared at me. “I can’t walk if I can’t breathe!”

“Okay. Look up and let me check.” He tilted his head so far back that he lost his balance and almost fell over a gilded chair. I grabbed his arm before he hit the ground, and held on to my irritation. Who had given the kids popcorn as a snack?

“Be still, Leo.” I squinted to try and see if there was anything within picking distance. Sure enough, there was a golden corn kernel wedged tightly in his nasal passage. “For the love of . . .”

“He really has corn in his nose?” Sam covered her mouth and I knew she was trying not to laugh.