Suddenly Royal(83)
“What do you… oh.” I frowned. “Wouldn’t that be cold?”
“It’s not so bad when you have someone warm to get back to.” His eyes ran over me, lingering on my hose-clad legs.
“Good point.” I looked back out the window as he chuckled.
All in all, the car ride wasn’t that terrible. We spent the majority of the ride discussing my property with the occasional phone call or message interrupting us. I spoke to my dad and was thrilled to hear him sounding more like himself. Patricia was in the background, telling him to ask me for more pictures. I laughed and joked with them while Alex took care of paperwork. It was a pleasant, easy car ride that only seemed odd because neither of us was driving.
As we left the city behind, I enjoyed watching the rolling hills and wooded areas flash by outside the window. Despite the time of year, there was green everywhere. It peeked out from underneath the snow-covered ground and from beneath the frosted branches of trees. We passed small villages and houses that seemed to spring up out of nowhere. There was a lot of farmland and horses. Cathy had been right—while I had enjoyed the city, I loved it out here.
Eventually the driver turned off the main street and took us down a meandering road. Nestled amongst the trees was a clearing filled with houses and shops. People lined the roadway with signs and flowers. My heart swelled with excitement. I was finally here.
People waved as we drove by and I rolled down my window to wave back. The driver seemed to understand that he should take his time because he slowed to a snail’s pace. Alex rolled down his window too and would point out buildings or people from his side. I hadn’t known what to expect—part of me had been waiting for them to all hate me for coming back, or to at least be indifferent, but I never would have expected them to be excited. As we neared what must be the village center, I was surprised to see a small stage and a band playing music. It looked like a holiday celebration.
“Do the children not have school today?” I asked as I waved at a young group.
“The local school closed for your homecoming.” Alex looked over at me in curiosity. “Didn’t Chadwick tell you this morning?”
“He may have mentioned it.” Chadwick must’ve been even more frazzled than I had realized if he had forgotten to tell me about all this. “Am I supposed to speak?”
“That would be a nice gesture.”
“Shit.” I drew the word out and he laughed quietly.
“Unprepared?”
“Guess I’ll have to wing it.” I looked at him with worried eyes. “How do you say thank you again?”
He said the words a couple of times while we waved and I practiced it under my breath. When we pulled around the center, Becca was out of the car ahead of us in a flash and by my door. Chadwick was right behind her, but at a more respectful pace. The cars behind us unloaded Alex’s security detail. We were led to the stage where there was a small podium and several important-looking people. I shook the hand of the woman that was the equivalent of the mayor, but I couldn’t pronounce her official title. Thankfully, she told me to call her Simone. There was a clergyman and several other men who made up the local council, all smiling and bowing.
Alex received bows and thank-yous from everyone. They all seemed to be floating on a high, as if my coming home and Alex’s presence was something to celebrate. It weirded me out. Chadwick handed me some paper while the woman in charge spoke to someone offstage.#p#分页标题#e#
“This is a speech I wrote on the way here. I forgot to tell you about all this and I feel terrible.” He shook his head. “But we don’t have time for that right now. Look it over while Simone speaks. It’s short and sweet. I tried to channel you.”
“Sounds good.” I smiled at him, hoping he would understand that I wasn’t angry. Everyone makes mistakes.
I glanced at the speech and tried to memorize the highlights. There was no way I would be able to say it all verbatim. If I tried I’d get tongue-tied.
The reporters who had followed us from the palace set up beside the locals, all waiting to hear what I had to say. Or rather, what Chadwick had written for me to say. Alex’s voice brought my attention up from the notes and I realized he had left the chair next to me and was speaking to the crowd.
“I’m very pleased to be able to bring Samantha Rousseau home and I’m proud to say that she lives up to her family’s reputation. She is sensible, loyal, and intelligent. I have no doubt that Duchess Rousseau will fit in here with all of us. I’m very glad to be able to call her neighbor—and my friend. So, without further ado, I present Samantha, the Duchess of Rousseau, and the real reason we’re all here today.” Alex turned toward me and smiled.