“I just need to pack the last few things. Diana! Did you find them?”
“Yes!” Diana called back from down the hall, then appeared a few moments later with several picture frames. Gabriel guessed they were images of her father.
“Which one do you want? I’ve already packed some of the small ones. They’ll be easier to carry once I leave with the VAC.”
“I’ll take them all, but not the frames.” Genevieve turned to him. “You wouldn’t mind if I hung some photos of my father would you?”
“Of course not. Though I’d prefer you didn’t hang them in the bedroom.”
“Gabriel!”
Diana cackled, then threw her arms around him in a hard hug. “I’m so happy I finally have a brother.”
“And I’m more than pleased for another little sister. Why don’t I take those out of the frames, while you both finish packing.”
Diana ran down the hall while Genevieve continued to pack the last of her makeup. “Helen hid most of papa’s pictures away after he died. She only kept one up in the main sitting room, in case guests came over. I didn’t want to leave without taking some with me.”
He simply nodded and finished his work, then slid them into a pocket in her suitcase. He noticed one fancy dress on top, the one she’d worn to the ball. He rubbed the soft fabric between his thumb and forefinger.
“I couldn’t bear to leave it.”
He glanced up to see sadness cloud her face again.
“I know it’s the dress I wore when we danced, but it’s also the dress I wore to my last ball with Sam.”
He nodded, understanding completely. “What about your picnic outfit?”
She blinked, as if suddenly realizing something. “It’s at the Kaurs. I changed before Sam and I…it’s at her house.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t ask for it back. Not now. It’s not that important anyway.”
She set her makeup box down and took a last look around the room, the closet, and the bathroom. She opened a drawer and took out an envelope with ‘Helen’ written on it, and taped it to her bedroom door. She paused only a moment before turning off the light and closing the door.
“Ready, Diana?”
Diana did the same as Genevieve and taped her own note to the door, but she didn’t pause to look back. She didn’t have a suitcase but a large duffel bag that seemed too heavy for her small frame but she carried it with ease.
Genevieve gestured to Diana’s bag. “Do you have all your papers with you? Birth certificate and the like? You know Helen won’t give it to you if you ask in the future.”
Diana nodded. “Yes, already packed.”
“Then let’s go.”
Gabriel took hold of Genevieve’s suitcase and asked Diana if she wanted help, but she declined. Genevieve kept hold of her makeup kit and purse. They headed down the stairs and, at the bottom, Genevieve closed her eyes and took a long inhale and slow exhale. When she blinked her eyes open, she simply said, “Bye, Papa.”
She left her key on the table near the front door, Diana doing the same, and they left, locking the door from the inside before shutting it.
Once the bags were in the trunk and they were seated inside, Diana began giving the driver instructions to her friend’s house, while Genevieve watched her house become smaller and smalleruntil they turned the corner and it disappeared completely. Then she sat back and cuddled in his arms while Diana chatted on about her plans.
GENEVIEVE
After dropping Diana off—andgiving her a long hug, telling her she loved her, and threatening to hunt her down if she didn’t keep in touch—they headed to the palace. It was much the same routine as had been the previous few times she’d been there. However, this time, the car went towards a back entrance closer to the Royal Wing.
Corrado was there waiting with some staff. Once Gabriel helped her from the car, the staff began unloading her luggage. She’d purposely not brought a lot, so her mother couldn’t claim she was ‘stealing’ but now she wondered if it was enough. She couldn’t keep borrowing from Agnes.
“Is everything arranged?” Gabriel asked.
“Yes, Sir.” Corrado turned to her and gave her a small smile. “I’m very sorry for your loss, Miss Ruffin.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
