I frowned. Why would I need to be careful? And I couldn’t imagine having to second-guess my every move, trying to figure out how it would be perceived by everyone. I set the phone down on the dresser and grabbed some clothes out of my closet. I hesitated for a minute, wondering if I should worry about what I was wearing, but decided to stick with my normal stuff. It would be stupid to get all dressed up when I would most likely be cleaning cages later. Besides, maybe if I acted like there was nothing different people would leave me alone.
I grabbed my favorite jeans and a plaid shirt and pulled my hair up into a ponytail before taking a minute to text my dad and let him know I would be over after school to talk about something. I’d call, but he often slept late. Grabbing my bag and shoes, I headed for the living room. Bert was sitting on the couch, eating a bowl of cereal.
“Hey. Would you mind giving me a ride to school? I’m not sure if my truck is up for it.”
“Sure.” Bert looked away from the television. “Are you worried about people giving you a hard time?”
“Nah. I guess they might ask questions, but it’s not really a big deal.”
“You don’t think it’s a big deal?”
I shrugged and sat down next to him. As I was lacing up my work boots I heard a knock on our front door. I started to go for it, but Bert stopped me.
“Let me get it.” Bert walked over to the door and peered out the curved window at the top before opening it a little ways. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Duvall. His Highness sent me for Lady Rousseau.”
Bert turned to look over his shoulder at me. “Were you expecting a Duvall, Lady Rousseau?”
I rolled my eyes. “Please see him in, Sir Bert.”
Bert stepped back and Duvall entered our tiny home. He was wearing his black suit and the little earpiece again. He walked directly toward me and produced my keys and two file folders.
“Good morning, Lady Rousseau. The duchess sent this for you to look through. She thought you might have more questions about your family. And Prince Alex sent the other folder.”
“Good morning.” I murmured the words as I immediately thumbed through the smaller folder from Alex. It was articles about the healthcare in their country, reports about chemo and cancer drugs that weren’t available in the States. Had he put this together himself? Or had he asked someone else to do it? Did it even matter? No matter how you cut it, he had sent me information he knew would make me want to go.
Everyone was watching me as I flipped through the folder, so I cleared my throat and closed the file. “Thank you for bringing these and my truck. I guess I’ll get it fixed later.”
“I believe the starter was broken. His Highness had it towed to a shop last night and fixed early this morning.”#p#分页标题#e#
“Oh.” I would have fixed it myself—paying for a garage was out of the question. I’d have to borrow money to pay it off. “Who should I pay for the repairs?”
“Prince Alex has already handled all the repairs, my lady.”
“What? And stop calling me that.” I frowned at him. “Please. I’m just Samantha.”
“As you wish.” Duvall nodded his head. “When is your first class?”
“Um, in an hour. Why?” I could feel my eyebrows drawing together. Could I have a moment to breathe? I was still processing the fact that Alex had paid for the repairs.
“I wanted to let the team know when we were leaving.” Duvall walked a couple of steps away and spoke into his shirt sleeve. Literally, into the cuff of his shirt sleeve the way the Secret Service does.
“Excuse me?” I stood up. “What do you mean we?”
“The duchess has sent a detail to stay with you. She’s worried you will run into problems with the way your media has attacked this story.” Duvall folded his hands in front of him. “I have a team of six if you include me and three cars.”
“What story? There is no story!” Three cars? Just for me to go to school? I put my hands on my hips and saw Bert trying to edge out of the room. “Bert! You’re a psych major. Don’t you agree that if I act like there is nothing going on, other people will behave that way too?”
“Well,” he said. His face looked a bit panicked. “I’m not sure this is the same thing as pretending like you’re fine after a breakup. This could have repercussions for your safety.”
“What are you talking about? I work with birds. They don’t give a crap if I’m royalty!” Too much change, happening too fast. I hadn’t even talked to my dad yet. Oh God—Dad.