Page 13 of The Prince Falls First
“She’s too busy trying to get close to the royals.”
Sam nodded in that direction and Gen saw her mother slowly moving towards them, chatting with various people along the way to make it seem natural.
“Besides, I warned the prince about your mother.”
Gen was busy focusing on her mother that it took a few seconds for her brain to catch up with Sam’s bombshell statement. She turned to her, mouth open. “What? What do you mean?”
Sam just shrugged, annoyingly nonchalant. “The prince and I had our dance after yours at the ball, and we got to talking. About you, actually.”
Gen’s voice came out as a screech. “What?” She glanced around to make sure no one had heard her, and then said in a lower voice, “What did you say?”
For a moment, Sam dropped the façade and grabbed Gen by both arms. “Don’t throw away this chance, Gen. Fuck your mother. Fuck whatshewants. I think he really likes you and could make you happy.”
“In what universe? You don’t even know him. Sam?—”
“Maybe I don’t but it won’t hurt to just give him a chance. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. No big deal. But,” Sam leaned closer, “if itdidwork out,youwould hold more power than your mother. And you’d do it with a man who actually likes you.”
“Sam…”
“You can still work the room, talk to other men. But givehima chance too.”
Gen glanced over Sam’s shoulder and watched the prince. He was perfect in public—perfect posture, perfect words, and, though she wasn’t close enough to hear it, he must have been saying the perfect things too.
She thought of a life with him and what that would mean…and saw only a more gilded prison than the one she had now. Her mother controlled everything she did now and wasn’t exactly nice about it. Becoming a princess and all the added pressure that would take…she wanted no part of it.
Gen sighed. “No, Sam. I hear what you’re saying. Having power over my mother would be nice. But I can’t. I just…can’t. It would be just as suffocating as my life now, maybe more so. I can’t do it.”
Sam sighed but nodded. “All right. I support you and whatever you want, even when you’re being an idiot.” She kissed her cheek, placed her ‘demure party smile’ on her face and walked to her parents. She curtsied to the royals again and took a place by her mother at the princess’s side.
No, that place wasn’t meant for Gen.
She took a deep breath, glanced around the room, and picked her next target.
GABRIEL
He wassick of other men. He couldn’t say he’d had this feeling before, but he had it now, especially when he watched one man after another invading Genevieve’s personal space.
“Your Highnesses, may I present Mrs. Ruffin?”
Gabriel turned his attention away from Genevieve to focus on her mother. After Agnes greeted her, he did the same.
Glancing at the elder Kaurs, both had placid smiles, but their bodies were tense.
He glanced over at Miss Kaur, who merely raised a brow as if to say‘I told you she was difficult’.
Meanwhile, the woman in question had started talking and didn’t seem to want to stop.
“My dearlatehusband, Peter, was a staunch supporter of His Majesty. And he would no doubt be a supporter of you as well, Your Highness, had he lived. Of course, our whole family, including my daughters support you. My eldest, Genevieve, is here tonight, of course. You must remember her, as you danced with her at the ball, Your Highness. I’m sure?—”
Gabriel adjusted his jacket, tapping elbows with his sister. Though others might think it was an accident, she knew it was on purpose and why; he couldn’t interrupt a woman without seeming rude, but his sister could interrupt her and it wouldn’t be considered impolite.
“Were you at the ball, Mrs. Ruffin?” Agnes interrupted.
“—I know that had he lived, he would only be too happy—I beg your pardon?” Mrs. Ruffin blinked several times as the conversation around them lowered to a hush.
Agnes merely smiled politely and repeated herself. “Were you at the ball, Mrs. Ruffin?”
“Oh.” Mrs. Ruffin put a hand to her chest as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Oh, I do beg your pardon, Your Highnesses. I certainly didn’t mean to speak over you. I most sincerely apologize. I only?—”
