Suddenly Royal(82)

“I’m fine.” His snappy tone made my eyebrows rise. “No. I’m not. I had a fight last night with my… friend. I apologize. I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“We don’t have time.” He sighed. “Are you ready? I believe I saw Alex leaving his mother’s sitting room.”

“Sure.” I pulled my coat on and grabbed my bag. “Chadwick, would you be interested in making this a permanent job? Work for me? I know you’ve been living here, so if you have a life out here and aren’t interested in moving, I get that.” I wrapped my scarf around my neck. “I really would understand, but I’ve gotten used to your brand of nagging.”#p#分页标题#e#

“You’re so darling. How could I resist?” Chadwick said.

“So, that’s a yes?”

“I’ve already packed.” He opened the door for me and we made our way to the main entrance.

“What if I hadn’t asked you?”

“It’s my job to be prepared for everything.” He looked down at his clipboard and a terrible thought came to me.

“That’s not why you fought with your friend is it?” He didn’t look up from his notes. “Chadwick, don’t move out there for me. I mean, I want you to move out there for me, but I don’t want you to leave something good behind.”

“I’m happy with my decision, but thank you.” He smiled at me. “Besides, I think we make a good team.”

“I think so, too.” I frowned as we walked a ways. “Maybe… maybe your friend could come with you. I wouldn’t mind, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“That’s incredibly kind of you, but that’s not an option.”

“Oh.” I hated to see my peppy assistant so despondent. “Well, if that changes, the option is open.”

“I appreciate that.” He smiled at me but still looked sad.

“So long as I don’t find you in your underwear drinking milk out of the carton in the middle of the night.”

“What if I pour it in a cup first?” Chadwick was starting to loosen up and I was relieved.

“That’s mildly better. How about we agree on at least pajama pants or a robe with the glass of milk?”

“You do realize that there is an entire suite for me?” He looked over at me with a smile. “I believe in the States they are referred to as a ‘mother-in-law suite.’”

“Still. You might run out of milk and try to swipe mine.”

“Then I believe that’s an acceptable deal as long as it applies to you as well.”

“Hey, it’s my house.” I laughed. “No promises.”

We waited at the entrance for Alex and his assistant. I’d seen him a few times with Alex, an older gentleman who was very proper. While we killed time, I studied the paintings hanging in the entranceway. There was some beautiful work and some of them even looked vaguely familiar.

“Yes, yes. Tell them that I’ll be out there next week.” Alex’s voice reached my ears and my heart thumped. I was starting to feel like a schoolgirl. “I have some things to take care of at D’Lynsal and then I will go to Paris.” I turned to look at him and he smiled. His eyes ran over me like a man in the desert looking at a glass of water. My heart rate sped up and I watched as he made his way to me. He quickly hung up and stuck the phone in his suit pocket. “Are you ready to see your home?”

“Very.” I didn’t even have a joke. I was more than ready to see my place, to find my groove. Not to mention, as usual, the sight of Alex had erased the majority of my vocabulary.

“Then let’s go. Ned, I’ll be riding with the duchess.”

“Of course, sir.” The older man nodded his head.

Alex and I took the second car in the line; the first car was the escort that seemed to go with us everywhere. Chadwick winked at me as he took a spot in the back seat of the front vehicle.

We left with little fanfare except for the ever-present reporters and their cameras. “There are more of them today.”

“You’re going home.” Alex looked over at me. “They’re documenting history.”

“And here I was excited to get somewhere I could drink milk out of the carton while wearing my underwear.”#p#分页标题#e#

“You drink milk out of the carton while in your underwear?” Alex laughed.

“You’ve never done that? Gotten up in the middle of the night and wanted a snack?”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t bother to put on my underwear.” He watched my face as his words sank in.