Coffees in hand, we bid Vera goodbye and good luck and walk out to the black SUV waiting in the circle drive at the front of the castle.
On the way to the museum, I give Lizzy a brief history of the city, pointing out the ruins of the medieval wall around the old town and the Roman baths we finished restoring a few years ago, creating an attraction that coaxes tourists from the casinos near the river, into the heart of the city.
I prattle on, mostly to keep her in a receptive state and off her guard, but I admit I like the way she hangs on every word, nodding and leaning forward to stare out the window as we pass various points of interest.
I like seeing the capital reflected in her eyes.
I just enjoy looking at her, period, dammit. I swear she’s gotten prettier in the past few days, and I resent her for it. For making me want to touch her so badly that I jump out of the car as soon as our driver pulls to a stop in front of the museum, wanting to make sure I’m the one to help her out of her seat.
I keep a hand at her back as we start up the marble staircase leading into the building, followed at a discreet distance by my security detail.
Lizzy tilts her head back, studying the carvings over the entrance as we pass through the glass doors. “What does that say? I confess my Latin is rusty.”
“Nature is the mother of art.” I lift a hand to the pretty older woman waiting for us by the ticket desk at the center of the atrium-like main hall.
Lizzy makes a soft sound of appreciation low in her throat. “I love that. It’s beautiful. And true, don’t you think?”
“I do,” I murmur, hoping she’ll still think creation is beautiful once she realizes the surprise I have planned for this morning. Heart beating faster—chances are I’ll have answers within the hour—I turn to introduce the women. “Thalia, this is Elizabeth Rochat, my fiancée. Elizabeth, this is Thalia, a steadfast and tireless supporter of the arts. And my partner in crime this morning.”
Thalia laughs as they shake hands.
Lizzy smiles, but shoots a vaguely distrustful look my way, proving she’s no fool.
“It’s my pleasure,” Thalia says, releasing Lizzy’s hand and waving us forward through the lobby into the antiquities exhibit. “I’m always happy to arrange something special for our guests. Especially for you, your highness. We couldn’t fund the cultural enrichment programs without the help of your foundation. We’re all so grateful.”
I wave away her thanks. “Anything to help preserve our living history.”
“Well, we’re certainly doing that.” Thalia casts a glowing smile over her shoulder. “The glass blowing and bead making classes are a huge hit, and we’ve already sold out all the spots in our midsummer dressmaking class.” She wrinkles her nose as she points a finger at Lizzy. “But we’ll always make room for you, Princess. Any time you want to come sew with us, just give me a ring. Our girls would be thrilled to sew with a professional. This morning, we’ve got a traditional hat pattern pulled for you, but midsummer is just around the corner. It could be fun to sew your own dress for the party, yes?”
“Yes, th-thank you so much,” Lizzy says with her usual stutter. But it’s always present when she speaks with strangers, and she shows no other outward sign of distress.
If she’s concerned about spending the morning with a sewing machine she doesn’t know how to use—I have it on solid authority from my source that Lizzy is the only triplet who knows how to sew—she’s keeping her fear under lock and key.
I study her out of the corners of my eyes, willing her to break, but her features remain calm and composed…right up to the moment her heel catches on the floor and she pitches forward, going down fast.
I lunge for her, but I’m too late. By the time my hands come to her upper arms, she’s already on the ground, whispering a Rinderland curse word beneath her breath.
“Princess, oh my goodness, are you all right?” Thalia leans down, helping me lift Lizzy off the cold stone floor.
“Yes, but I think I—” She breaks off, wincing as she holds out her right arm. “I think I m-might have sprained my wrist.”
Thalia sucks in a breath through her teeth. “Oh, no. It looks swollen, doesn’t it? Let me get some ice. I’ll be right back.” Thalia scurries back the way we came, throwing her next words over her shoulder, “I keep telling the board that we need to fix the uneven spots in the floors. Maybe now they’ll finally listen. I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine,” Lizzy says, waving her good arm. “No serious d-damage done.” Her lips remain curved in a tight smile until Thalia disappears around the corner, presumably headed to some secret staff room to fetch ice.