This time he didn’t put an arm around her waist as they continued on through the museum. But he did stay close, whispering the names of dignitaries and members of the Linnaean parliament in her ear as they came up to meet her and congratulate her on the engagement. Each subtle murmur of support calmed some of her nervousness. She was much more at ease conversing with someone like Hugo than the well-dressed masses before her.
“You’re doing great.”
Cass’s whisper made her spine straighten as her smile widened. His encouragement and support sent a much-needed jolt of confidence through her veins. She was, she realized, enjoying her time with him, despite feeling like a fish out of water among the gilded crowd of Linnaea’s upper crust.
Perhaps Cass was right, she thought with a small, relieved smile. Perhaps she could enjoy her marriage.
At last, they reached the grand entrance.
“Ready to go home?”
A small smile tugged at Briony’s lips. Even though she still got turned around fairly regularly in the palace’s corridors, the upstairs hallway that housed the royal family, the family dining room and the library had quickly become familiar and comforting to her. It was nice to have a home again.
“Yes.”
Cass’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he helped her into her snow-white coat. He grabbed her hand and guided her down the red carpeted steps out into the snowy night.
Briony barely registered the crowd rushing at her before a light bulb went off in her face.
“Princess Briony, how do you feel about the closure of the hospital in Levrouz?”
“Did you know about the shutdown of the rural schools?”
“Do you think art is more important than paying the wages of national employees?”
The questions flew at her like barbed arrows, each one landing with a piercing blow. Shame washed over her as she looked down to blink the light from her eyes and saw the skirt of her dress. The dress that most likely cost thousands of dollars. How many people could that have helped?
Cass swore beside her before he stepped protectively between her and the photographers and reporters.
“Go back inside,” he ordered over his shoulder.
“I’m not leaving you alone to deal with this,” Briony retorted. “Can’t I say something to—”
Her words were cut off as one of the ropes keeping the crowd back gave way. People surged forward, pushing past the overwhelmed security guards lining the aisle in their zest to get up close and personal with the mysterious princess. She took a step back, one heel catching in the voluminous folds of her skirt. Her arms pinwheeled in the air as she fell backward. A moment later she fell against the stairs, a startled cry escaping her lips.
A horrified silence descended on the crowd. Cass whirled around and knelt down next to her.
“Briony,” he breathed, his voice strained. “God, Briony, stay still.”
A flashbulb went off. Cass started to turn, murderous intent gleaming in his eyes, but Briony put a hand on his arm.
“Don’t.” Slowly, she sat up, wincing at the pain in her back. “I didn’t hit too hard, and I didn’t even hit my head.”
“You’re seeing a doctor when we get back to the palace,” Cass said firmly.
Briony held her tongue. Arguing in front of reporters armed with cameras was not the best strategy.
More security guards poured out of the museum and pushed the crowds back. Cass scooped Briony up into his arms, stalked down the aisle and set her gently in the back of the limo waiting for them. He circled around, gave the driver a terse order in French as he got inside and then turned his attention back to Briony.
“You’re certain you didn’t hit your head?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Stop treating me like a child.”
Cass’s face was grim. “I never would have escorted you out the front had I known that would happen.”
“But you didn’t know, so stop blaming yourself.”
“You still have a lot to learn about me, Briony.” He leaned closer, his fingers sliding into her hair as he gently felt the back of her head. Her eyes drifted shut as she savored the feel of his touch.