“You’ll do brilliantly.”
She hoped he was right. As Valentia streaked by them, she couldn’t help but feel as if she were about to take a test andmaybe even fail it. Perhaps the princess liked her, but if Gabriel’s brothers hated her, would he still be so keen on her?
Only time would tell.
GABRIEL
When they arrivedat the Château de Crussol, everything had been set up by the staff and servants. They bypassed the traditional parking and were driven straight to the ruins, where several blankets had been placed both for sitting and as tables for the food. Platters of sandwiches, fruit, small desserts, and a variety of drinks were expertly arranged.
Food had already been plated, except for dessert. It was hot, as it often was in August, but here on the hilltop where the ruins lay, it was also breezy and less humid. Large umbrellas had also been arranged kept everything shaded.
Genevieve took it all in, her voice soft. “It looks wonderful.”
They weren’t holding hands, though he desperately wanted to. They needed to keep somewhat of a public distance, at least for now. His brothers would be ruthless if they knew how he really felt about her.
Just as he thought them, they suddenly appeared, Agnes not far behind with a few ladies.
“Ah! Here he is, our future king!” Gaston laughed. Gabriel could tell he’d already started drinking.
Lucien and Ferdinand were close behind, shaking their heads. It was easy to tell they were all related; similar dark hair, similar builds. They’d even dressed similarly, though their jackets were long gone.
“Brothers. Sister. Ladies. May I introduce Miss Genevieve Ruffin? Her father was the late Minister of Education.”
Genevieve curtsied. “Your Highnesses. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Gaston reached for her hand the moment she finished the curtsy and kissed it. Gabriel had a strong desire to punch him in the face.
“Have we met before? How terrible of me not to recall it.”
She gently pulled her hand from Gaston’s and smiled serenely. “At the ball a while ago. Though I’m sure you meet many in the course of your duties, so I am not at all offended.”
“What a perfect answer. I can see why Gabriel?—”
Ferdinand pulled Gaston back. “Ignore him. He started on the wine a bit early. May I introduce the ladies?”
As Ferdinand escorted her to his sister and introduced Genevieve to Leticia (Ferdi’s date) and Clotilde (Lucien’s date), Gabriel staggered behind with Gaston.
“Rough night? You usually don’t drink like this unless you and Irene have broken up again. I notice she isn’t here.”
A sadness fell over his brother’s face that Gabriel wished he could erase. “She likes me. She simply doesn’t like…” he gestured around him but Gabriel knew what he meant.
“I’m having a bit of the same problem myself.”
“No you’re not.”
“I am.”
“Your lady still came, though. I couldn’t convince mine to come.”
He clapped Gaston on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, middle brother.”
“So am I.” Gaston took a deep breath, then smiled. “I’m being ordered back. I report in two days. Maybe it’s for the best. Irene, I mean. She didn’t like it when I was deployed the last time. Now she can’t complain about me being gone.”
“I didn’t know. Have you told everyone else?”
Gaston nodded. “You’re the last. I told Mother this morning. She wants a family dinner before I go.”
They both winced at that. “How long will you be deployed this time?”
