They moved next to me and gave practiced smiles for the camera. Alex didn’t put a hand on my back like I was growing accustomed to, but kept a friendly but respectful distance. I blinked at the flashing and hoped my smile didn’t show all my teeth.
Once Cecil was satisfied, the guards saluted Alex and opened the front door for us. I digested everything around us, staggered by the amount of history contained in the walls. Rose and Alex looked like they were just coming home. Their relaxed expressions made me wonder if they were going to kick their shoes off and go dig through the fridge. Instead, we were greeted by a group of people just inside who bowed and curtsied to Alex before taking our coats.
“It’s good to have you home, Your Majesty.” An older man smiled at Alex. “And lovely to see you, as always, ma’am. Welcome home, Duchess Rousseau.” He dipped his head at Rose and me.
“How are things tonight, Ryan?” Alex asked.
“Good. Dinner should be ready shortly and your mother is waiting in the front sitting room.” The man checked a clipboard he was carrying. “The prime minister and his wife are here along with your sister, Duke Constal, and Duke and Duchess Marion.”
“Excellent.” Alex smiled at the others. “Chadwick, let me introduce you to Duchess Rousseau. Samantha, this is Chadwick. He’s offered to be your assistant until you decide on something permanent.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Duchess.” Chadwick was a tall, thin man. He bowed his head in a formal greeting.
“You too, Chadwick.” I held out my hand to shake his. His hands were gentle, but firm. “I think you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“I do love a challenge.” He smiled.
“Well, then. Let’s go meet Mother, shall we?” Alex turned away from the aides he was speaking with and looked at me.
“Let’s.” I took a deep breath.
Alex held his arm out to me, and I slipped my hand in and let him lead me down a long, formal hallway. Portraits of monarchs lined the walls, interspersed with images of gardens and forests. There was a man in a tailcoat waiting next to golden double doors. He stood to attention when we neared and opened the door.
“You’ll enter last, but we’ll be waiting inside.” Rose patted my shoulder as she nodded at the man. He knocked on the door and waited for an answer. When he heard what he needed, he opened the doors and stepped inside.
“The Duchess of Sverelle, Your Majesty.” Rose followed closely behind him, curtsying once just inside of the door. She walked out of sight and I fought the desire to peek around the corner.
“His Royal Highness, the Duke of D’Lynsal.” Alex stood up straight and winked at me before turning the corner. I could hear voices inside, but not what they were saying. Or maybe they were speaking in Lilarian.
“The Duchess of Rousseau.” The man announced my name and I took a jerky step forward. There were ten or eleven people standing in the center of the room. The queen was right in the center, complete with tiara and flowing dress. She was an attractive woman and I could see a great deal of Alex in her features.
I remembered to curtsy once inside the door and took a few more steps before pausing and doing it again. I didn’t curtsy too deep, scared I would fall in my heels. When I looked up, the queen was smiling. When I reached her, she held out her hand and I shook it.
“Your Majesty, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I looked down at her, surprised that such a small woman had given birth to such a tall man like Alex.
“Welcome home, Duchess Rousseau. We’re very glad that you’ve come.” The woman smiled. “We were very excited when we found you.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Let me introduce you to everyone.” The queen placed her hand on my elbow, gently guiding me away from Rose and Alex. I tried to keep a hold on the beating of my heart. It was beating faster than that of a kitten facing down a dog. “This is my daughter, Catherine.”
A tall girl with blond hair and Alex’s bright eyes smiled at me. She held out her hand and I shook it. There was a lot of handshaking in my future, it seemed.
“Nice to meet you, Samantha. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Catherine smiled widely. She was breathtaking—model perfect. Her eyes were bright and she seemed genuinely happy to see me.
“Nice to meet you.”
“I’d be happy to show you around the city if you’d like. It can be a bit confusing the first time you visit.”
“I’ve already set up some time to take Samantha around.” Alex’s voice rumbled behind me. I looked over my shoulder and into his eyes. “I promised I wouldn’t throw her to the wolves.”
“I’m not a wolf!” Catherine shook her head and laughed.
“You would want to take her shopping, and I have it on good authority that Samantha is not a fan.”
“That’s because she hasn’t been with me.” Catherine smiled and I wondered if men threw themselves at her feet. “Well, we can just go sightseeing if you’d like.”
“You could come with us,” Alex replied. I hadn’t known he was planning on taking me around town.
“Not letting her out of your sight, hm?” Catherine gave me a thoughtful look. “Okay. It’s a date.”
“Sounds like fun.” The queen was already leading me away from Catherine, but Alex stayed with his sister.
“This is Prime Minister Tomas Derry.” Catherine smiled at the man. He had lively eyes and curly gray hair. “Prime Minster, this is Samantha, Duchess of Rousseau.”