“It’s standard protection,” Alex argued.
“There’s nothing standard about a royal wedding, my son, believe me.” Gabriel held up his hands when it looked as though Alex wanted to speak again. “Enough, my son. You and Rebecca both need to be prepared for these types of questions, and it is better that you prepare for them here, where the world cannot see that look on your face.”
“But, Papa, I’m not going to cancel my wedding, no matter what.”
“Nor would we ask you to. However, the time may come that you need to make some tough decisions, and you need to be prepared for that.”
Alex shook his head, as if he was unwilling to believe it. For the first time in his life, Nate realized that sometimes men looked forward to their wedding day perhaps just as much as women did.
“It’s not just the wedding that may come under fire, Papa,” Nate continued. “They’ll look at our social schedule, too. We had your Anniversary Ball last month, the Harvest Ball and Independence Day celebrations this month, and the Holiday Ball next month, which was set to double as Alex and Rebecca’s engagement party. There may be other tough choices we need to make. We can’t be seen celebrating.”
“I thought as much, my son. Do you have a budget proposal yet?”
Nate shook his head. “I’m still working on it. I should have it for you and Alex tomorrow. You should prepare yourselves.”
“I’ve got to talk to Rebecca about this. Tonight,” Alex said as he glanced at the clock.
“I’ll need to discuss this with your Mama as well.” Gabriel sighed as he stood up and rounded the desk. He pulled Nate into a hug. “You’ve done a very good job, my son. Difficult days lie ahead for us. You will need all your strength to take what’s coming.”
Nate hugged his father back; they were about the same height but, to Nate, Gabriel would always be bigger than life to him. “Thank you, Papa.”
Gabriel kissed Nate on each cheek, then gave Alex a kiss on each cheek, too. “Don’t worry, Alexander. You’ll have your wedding day. Don’t doubt that, and everything else will come.”
Alex nodded, though his eyes still held disbelief. “Thank you, Papa.”
“Let’s hold off on telling the rest of the family until the morning of the budget proposal,” Gabriel said. “Let them get the rest we’ll be missing for the next long while. I know I’ll have trouble sleeping at night. I suggest you both get some sleep, my sons, if you can. It seems as though we have some very long days ahead of us.”
As Alex left for his apartment to be with Rebecca, and his father left to be their mother, Nate felt the despairing feeling of being alone. Charlotte came to his mind again, and he decided to go see her. First, however, he was going to have a chat with his brother.
Chapter 4
Nate decided to use the regular hallways this time – not the secret ones – to take him to Lorenzo’s apartment. All of the royal apartments were essentially side-by-side, affording them both privacy and family nearby at the same time. Lorenzo’s was only a few down the hall from his, with Ethan and Sarah’s in-between them.
Lorenzo took a few moments to answer when Nate knocked but, when he did, he was clearly irritated. “Why didn’t you use the secret passages?”
Nate quirked an eyebrow before strolling inside. “Does it matter?”
“Yes, it does, as a matter of fact.” Lorenzo crossed his arms over his chest. “If you must know, I’d planned to play a trick on you.”
Nate shook his head. “What are you, four years old again?”
“Maybe.” Lorenzo stuck his tongue out at Nate before leading him to a sitting room. “Come on. I’ve got a date later, so what did you want to talk about?”
Nate huffed a laugh as he took a seat on the couch; he wasn’t surprised his brother had a late night ‘date’. “One of those dates, is it?”
Lorenzo shrugged as he took a seat next to Nate. “She knows the score. She gets to sleep with a prince, and I don’t have to deal with any long-term relationships. It’s perfect.”
“One day your feelings might change.”
“Maybe, but not today. I’m having too much fun.”
“You should respect the woman you’re seeing. How many are you sleeping with right now?”
Lorenzo punched Nate in the shoulder. “What the fuck, Nate? Where the hell is this coming from? You used to sleep around as much as me.” Nate shook his head, but Lorenzo continued. “It’s true. You’re seeing someone aren’t you? Not like I’m seeing women, but a relationship.”
“That’s not what this is about.”
“Then what the hell else is this about? Why are you suddenly turning into Alex and Papa?”
Nate whirled up from his seat and dragged his hands through his hair. “How many of the palace staff have you fucked?”
Lorenzo stood up faster than Nate had and pushed him back, but Nate held his ground and didn’t falter. “What. The. Fuck. Are you serious?”
“Deadly. How many women on the staff have you slept with or propositioned?”
“Jesus.” Lorenzo ran his hand through his stylish dark locks. “Do you really think I’d do something like that? I may sleep around, but I don’t sleep with the help. Papa made sure to drill that into us early.”
“Don’t I know it?” Nate mumbled; Lorenzo, still upset, didn’t hear.
“Is someone accusing me of something? Is that what’s going on here? Fuck! Who is it?”
Uncomfortable, Nate rolled his shoulders back and crossed his arms over his chest. “No one accused you of anything, but apparently something went on.”
“And I’m a suspect.”
“Not anymore.”
Lorenzo shook his head. “I can’t believe you think I’d do that. Sure, I sleep with women. I’ve slept with a lot of women. I’ve flirted with even more. But I’ve never slept with any that weren’t interested in it, and I’ve never forced myself on anyone, at any time.”
Nate put a hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder and squeezed. “I know. I believe you.”
Lorenzo let out a deep breath and collapsed on the couch. “Jesus, you get my blood up faster than anyone else.”
“I’m sorry. I had to ask.”
“Why? Why did you, specifically, have to ask?”
Nate bristled. “It’s nothing. Just something I heard in the kitchens earlier. You don’t think Ethan could be–”
“Hell, no. Don’t get me wrong, he gets around when he’s not out with the Navy, but he wouldn’t do that.”
Nate nodded and took a seat beside his brother. They both sat in silence for a few minutes before Lorenzo turned his head towards Nate. “What’s really going on? You were holed up with Papa and Alex for a long time.”
Nate sighed. “I know. There’s things you need to know, and we’re going to discuss it with everyone in a few days.”
Lorenzo groaned. “At family dinner? As if family dinners aren’t torture enough, we have to bring national issues into it.”
Nate smiled. “It’ll be before then. Besides, the dinners aren’t so bad.”
Lorenzo smiled, too. “No, they’re not.” He waited a beat before asking, “Are you sure there’s nothing else wrong, Nate?”
Nate had struggled with that very question. Yes, he was attracted to Charlotte. Did he want her because she was ‘forbidden’ or did he want her for her? He decided to figure it out before mentioning her to anyone. Besides, he thought despairingly, she may not want him back, if their earlier conversation was any indication.
“I’m all right.” Nate groaned as he stood up, feeling every inch of his exhausted and stressed thirty-three years of age. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Lorenzo stood up and walked him to the foyer, where Nate used a hidden fingerprint scanner to access the secret passageway. “You know, I’m here if you ever need someone to talk to.”
Nate gave his brother a hug. “Thanks. I might take you up on that one day.” They gave each other a kiss on each cheek and Nate headed out. Instead of heading
for his own apartments, however, he headed for the kitchens.
***
After spending twelve hours on her feet – the last two of which were spent rushing around to make a last-minute cake – Charlie was exhausted. Despite that, and despite the fact that she’d taken one earlier, she still took a shower when she got back to her room. She’d learned early on that kitchen scents lingered and, even though she couldn’t smell them, others could.
She’d just wrapped herself in a fluffy blue robe and matching slippers that accented her eyes when she heard a knock at her door. Figuring it was probably Coco coming to check on her – no one else ever did – she kept her comb in hand and let it drift through her wet hair as she made her way towards the door. When she opened it, however, it Coco was not on the other side.
One of her co-workers, Pierre, who lived down at the other end of the hall from her, was standing there. His chef’s coat was unbuttoned and the lingering scent of frying onions clung to his clothes. His tall, lanky frame was topped with a head of dull, curly black hair that hung limp from a long day in the kitchens.
“Pierre? What are you doing here? Is something wrong in the kitchens?”
“No, no, not at all,” he said in his soft French accent. “I just came to check on you. It was a hard day for you, I’m sure.”
“Oh. Well, I’m fine.” When Pierre’s gaze continued to linger on something other than her face, Charlie remembered she was wearing only a robe. His gaze made her feel uncomfortable and she flushed with embarrassment. “Thanks for stopping by. Have a good night.”
As she shut the door, Pierre’s long, slim fingers held it open, along with the toe of his efficient black shoes. “Are you sure you don’t need to talk?”
Her mouth thinned into a tight smile. “Positive. See you tomorrow.”
“Charlie, I think you should invite me in. No doubt you’re upset about what happened. I’m friends with Coco. I can help you.”
Based on his and Coco’s interactions, she doubted that was the case. Coco may rule with an iron fist, but she was never mean. And, though she did care about everyone in ‘her’ kitchens, Charlie never saw evidence she was particularly friendly with any of them.
“I’m fine, Pierre, really.”
“Well, I’ll just say goodnight to you then.” Without warning, he pulled her close and dropped his cold, flat lips onto hers.
Charlie was momentarily stunned. Her eyes widened and her body remained still. Even while he tried to coax her lips, she remained completely unmoving. It was a few moments later, when he finally pulled back on his own, that Charlie realized she’d missed her chance to push him away and slap the shit out of him.
Pierre – the asshole – had the nerve to wink at her. “Until tomorrow, then.”
“Just a second.” Hot, ripe anger was bubbling inside her. When he turned back, and his face was smirking, she had to fight the urge to punch him and kept her hands fisted beside her.
“Yes, Charlie? Ready to invite me inside?”
“Never! How dare you? Touch me again, and you’ll barely be able to use your hands and mouth again.”
“Why is that?” he asked, still smiling, clearly not getting it.
“Because I’ll have beat the shit out of you, asswipe. I am not a toy. I am a human being and you do not do anything to my body that I don’t want you to. I’m contacting Coco immediately and letting her know that I’ve been harassed. You’ll be lucky if you get to wash the dishes after this.”
Pierre’s face remained smooth, though his smile was now clearly forced. “You American women, you always mistake proper culture and etiquette. I guess someone with your background wouldn’t know, but it’s customary to kiss goodnight in Europe. You’ll get used to it. Bonsoir.”
He started walking away before Charlie could respond. Fuming with anger, she turned and slammed the door, missing when he blew her a kiss from down the hall.
Inside her room, she tugged the robe even more around her, despite the fact she had remained covered throughout the whole ordeal. Her hair was still damp and, though she’d had a shower barely thirty minutes ago, she now felt dirty again. The heat of shame flushed her body, though she couldn’t understand why. She did nothing wrong, so why did she feel like this?
Pierre’s jab about her upbringing also stung. Hadn’t she heard it all before? Others had made similar comments to her face, some whispered behind her back. She knew some thought she shouldn’t be anywhere near a palace, especially after she covered Prince Nathaniel in cake. So how could Coco think she’d be right to run the whole kitchen?
Charlie had just collapsed on the couch, head in hands, comb forgotten on the floor, when another knock came at the door.
She sighed. “Go away, Pierre.”
There was a pause before a voice spoke. “It’s not Pierre.”
Charlie gasped and rushed to the door. She wrenched it open, though she knew who it was.
“Prince Nathaniel. What are you doing here?” He looked wonderful. His hair hung loose and was still slightly damp; he’d clearly had a shower recently, too. He looked just as sexy in casual clothes as he did in a suit with his hair pulled back.
His eyes raked down her body and her state of dress made her blush once more. Contrary to the way Pierre’s gaze had made her feel, the Prince’s perusal of her body made her feel beautiful.
She wondered what normal women felt in this situation; her body was made differently, and it took a long time to coax any sense of desire from it. She knew it was one of the reasons why she was alone. It wasn’t just her past that was broken; it was her.
“I apologize for disturbing you,” the Prince said and glanced down the hall, where Pierre had gone. “I didn’t consider that you might have been entertaining company.”
Her brows furrowed. “I don’t have any company.”
His head gestured down the hall, while his hands remained firmly in his pockets. “I saw someone walking away from you as I was coming down the hall.”
She gasped and blushed again. How much had he seen or heard? “As you said, they were walking away.” Hopefully, for good. “And why do you care?”
“I don’t know, but I do.” He sighed and pulled one hand out of a pocket and ran it through his hair. “I just came to see how you were.”
Charlie blinked. “You came to check on me?” She shook her head. “Why?”
“Because you were upset earlier, so I wanted to make sure you were okay. I also wanted to let you know that I thought your second cake was just as delicious as your first.”
“You did?” Why was her heart beating faster? One compliment had never sent her pulse racing like this before.
“My family loved it, too.”
“Really?” she asked breathlessly. The King and Queen liked her cake? “Oh my God,” she said suddenly.
His hands shot out and gripped her arms loosely. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?”
“No. I mean, yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I didn’t curtsy or anything when you arrived. I think I forgot for a minute that you’re a prince.” And if that didn’t show her how little she qualified for Coco’s job, she wasn’t sure what would.
He, however, only laughed. His face broke out in a broad smile that brightened his face and had her breath catching. “I think that’s one of the nicest things anyone’s ever said to me.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. When his face softened and his hand lifted to her cheek, she really wasn’t sure what to do.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you, Charlotte.” Why did her name on his lips seem like velvety chocolate being poured on top of rich cheesecake – decadent and addictive?
She swallowed. “I’m fine. Thank you for checking on me.”
“Was that man bothering you?”
“What man?” Oh. “It’s nothing.”
His eyes narrowed. “It’s not nothing. You referred to something earlier today, to someone trying to sed
uce you, or put pressure on you. Was it him?”
“Does it matter?” She shrugged his hands away from her body and stepped back. He didn’t step inside, giving her the distance she needed. He seemed to have enough respect for her to cede her wishes and not push where she didn’t want it.
He gripped the frame of the door on each side. “Of course it matters. If he did something to make you feel uncomfortable, he’ll be gone by morning, I assure you. You should feel safe here. If you don’t, we should talk about it.”
“I’d rather not.”
Charlotte & Nate (Royals of Valleria #4) Page 5