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He was eager to meet Olivia. He already knew she was beautiful, intelligent and a strong crusader for children’s health and welfare. The citizens loved her and after the drama surrounding her emergency hysterectomy and her subsequent secret elopement with Gabriel so did the media. But Nic was fascinated by how she’d caused such drastic changes in his brother.
The tailor finished his preliminary work and departed. Alone once more, Nic dressed for dinner. Family evenings were for the most part casual and Nic left his room wearing navy slacks and a crisp white shirt he’d purchased at a department store in California. His fashionable younger brother would be appalled that Nic was dressing off the rack. Nic was smiling at the thought as he joined Gabriel and his new bride in the family’s private drawing room.
“You’ve made my brother a very happy man,” Nic told Olivia, kissing her cheek in greeting. “I haven’t seen him smile this much since we were children.”
From her location snuggled beneath her husband’s possessive arm, the blonde stared up at Gabriel with eyes filled with such love that a knot formed in Nic’s gut. At that instant, any lingering resentment he’d felt at the uncomfortable position Gabriel’s choice had put him in vanished. His brother deserved to be happy. The responsibility of the country would one day rest on Gabriel’s shoulders and being married to the woman he loved would make his burden lighter.
This drew Nic’s thoughts back to the dossiers in his room. He was glad there hadn’t been a redhead among them. Brooke was a singular marvel in his mind. Marrying a woman with similar hair color was out of the question. He couldn’t spend the rest of his life wishing his wife’s red hair framed a different face.
Brooke hadn’t made an appearance by the time Nic’s parents entered the drawing room and he wondered for one brief moment if she’d let her anxiety get the better of her. He was seconds away from sending a maid to check on her when the door opened and Brooke stumbled in, unsteady in heels that appeared too large for her.
She wore a long-sleeved, gold, lace dress that flattered her curves, but conflicted with her usual carefree style. She wasn’t wearing her usual long necklace that drew attention to the swell of her breasts, and she’d left her collection of bracelets behind. The look was sophisticated, elegant and formal, except for her hair, which spiraled and bounced around her shoulders like a living thing.
“Dr. Davis, welcome.” Gabriel and Olivia had approached her while Nic stood there gaping at her transformation.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Brooke was saying as he finally approached. “I only meant to close my eyes for fifteen minutes. Then next thing I know it’s six-thirty. Thank heavens I showered before I sacked out. Of course this is what happens to my hair when I just let it go. If I’d had a few more minutes, I could have done something to it but I had such a hard time deciding which dress to wear. They were all so beautiful.”
“You look lovely.” Olivia gave her a warm smile and drew her arm through Brooke’s in a show of affection and support. “Why don’t I introduce you to Gabriel and Nic’s parents.”
“You mean the king and queen?” Brooke whispered, her gaze shooting to the couple enjoying a predinner cocktail. They appeared to be ignoring the knot of young people.
“They are eager to meet you,” Gabriel said.
Brooke’s lips quirked in a wry smile. “That’s sweet of you to say.” She took a clumsy step and smiled apologetically at Olivia. “I’m usually less awkward than this.”
“The shoes are a little large for you,” Olivia said, giving the gold laser-cut pumps a critical look. “I didn’t realize your feet were so much smaller than mine. Perhaps you have something of your own that would fit better? I could send a maid to fetch something.”
“Are you kidding me?” Brooke retorted, her voice feverish as she took her next step with more deliberation and improved grace. “These are Louboutin glass slippers. I’m Cinderella.”
Gabriel waited a beat before following his wife. He caught Nic’s eye and smirked. “I like her.”
“So do I,” Nic replied, his voice low and subdued.
Not that it should have mattered to Nic, but his brother’s words sent gratitude and relief rushing into his chest. It was good to know he had at least two people in the palace, Gabriel and Olivia, who would understand how wretched doing the right thing could feel.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Brooke was saying to his parents as Nic and Gabriel caught up to the women. “Thank you for letting me stay at the palace for a few days.”
