“Not for a long time,” Agnes said as she adjusted her dress slightly. “Though we’ve never been formally introduced to Thomas before tonight, I can say that I’ve heard from more than one lady in society about his light pockets, roaming hands, and drunk anger. I was surprised to see him tonight.”
Gen shook her head, still wrapping her head around everything she’d learned. She hadn’t really considered Thomas a viable candidate, but he’d been in the running (albeit at a very low rank). “The Solaris live just down the road from the Kaurs. I imagine that’s why they were invited. Though I doubt Mr. Kaur knows his true personality; I don’t think he would invite him if he thought he might act like this, especially in front of either of you.”
Gabriel shrugged. “Only he could confirm that.”
Gen made a mental note to ask Sam about it.
Sam! She hadn’t even said goodbye to her best friend before leaving. Actually, she hadn’t seen Sam at all towards the end of the evening. She’d give her a call tomorrow.
As the car pulled to a stop, Gen looked through the car window, surprised to see the gate to her house already. ThoughGen didn’t live that far from the Kaurs, she still thought they’d arrived at her home fairly quickly.
After they pulled through the gate and parked at the front of the house, Gabriel stepped out of the car, and Agnes leaned forward. “Close the door, please.”
As the agent moved to close it, Gabriel tried to step back inside, but Agnes wasn’t having it. “Uh-uh. You stay outside. I want a private word with Genevieve.”
As the door shut on Gabriel’s exasperated face, Agnes turned to her. “You don’t mind if I call you ‘Genevieve’ do you?”
Gen shook her head, surprised at this turn of events. What could the princess want to say? Would she warn her off Gabriel? Warn her away from the royal family and society altogether? It wouldn’t surprise her; Agnes had met her mother this evening, after all. Everyone wanted to keep their distance from her.
“Don’t give up on him.”
Gen blinked, then her eyes widened as Agnes grabbed her hands.
“Gabriel, I mean. Don’t give up on him.”
“It’s not like that, Your-Agnes. We’re not romantically involved.”
“Not yet, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be. He likes you, I can tell.”
Gen shook her head, trying to come up with the words to explain she wasn’t interested without being harsh about it, but Agnes was one step ahead of her.
Agnes squeezed her hands. “I know it’s a lot to think about. You’re not just getting involved with a man, you’re getting involved with a whole fucking country.”
Was it wrong to say Gen liked Agnes even more because she cursed?
Agnes nodded towards the door, where Gabriel stood just outside. “The men, they don’t know what it’s like to be a womanand a royal. They are scrutinized, but in a very different way than us. People are always looking for a way to bring down a woman, especially a princess, and that can feel daunting and exasperating and offputting.”
“I…You’re being very, er, forthcoming, Agnes.”
She chuckled. “I don’t have much time and I wasn’t sure when we’d meet again. Gabriel mentioned earlier that you weren’t acting like yourself, but he’s the one who’s changed most of all. I doubt he even realizes how much, but a sister knows.”
She gave Gen’s hand another squeeze. “Give Gabriel a chance. He won’t let you down.”
Gen nodded, though inside her heart sank. Hewouldlet her down though. Everybody did, in the end. “I can’t promise anything, but I appreciate your candor.”
Agnes knocked on the window and the door opened. Gabriel bent down and sent his sister an irritated glance, then shifted to a softer look for Gen and held out his hand.
Gen took it and eased her way out of the car, adjusting her long dress as she stood. When she looked at her door, though, she suddenly realized she didn’t have a key. Since she’d been riding with her mother, she hadn’t brought hers, but she could sneak around to the back and into her bedroom once the royals left.
Gen cleared her throat. “Thank you for the ride home and…for your assistance earlier.”
Gabriel smiled and leaned over to kiss the back of her hand. “Anytime. I’ll walk you to the door.”
“No! No, that’s all right.”
His eyes narrowed. “This is your house, is it not?”
She glanced at it, then back to him. “Yes.”
