A Royal Holiday (Royals of Valleria #5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

widened their eyes at Grace’s atypical declaration. Perhaps Gabriel’s pronouncement left her feeling more comfortable about her place in the family with them all.
     
    Cat nodded. “Well said, Grace. I agree. I think we should make it into a big girls’ trip out. Grace, Carolina – you should come along, and we’ll ask Charlie, too. Sarah should be here soon, and so should Nonna,” Cat said, referring to their grandmother, Victoria, who was the former queen and Gabriel’s mother.
     
    Genevieve clapped her hands together. “Oh, that does sound like fun.”
     
    “Mama, I think if we’re going to do this, we should also head over to the Gara Hotel for their tea service afterwards. You know, really make a day of it.”
     
    “Are you sure they can fit us in for tea?” Carolina asked. “They’re usually booked solid this time of year.”
     
    “I’ll give the owner a call,” Genevieve said. “Since we’ve booked the entire hotel for wedding guests – which is costing us more than a little money, to say the least – I’m sure they would be more than willing to accommodate us.”
     
    As the other women began chattering, Alex leaned over and whispered in Rebecca’s ear. “Are you all right with this? If you don’t want to go out, you don’t have to.”
     
    Rebecca smiled, a little resigned. “This day had to come eventually, right? We were bound to run into one of your old flings at some point. I’ll go with the girls. Grace is right; hiding here isn’t the answer.”
     
    “Rebecca.”
     
    “Shhh,” she said, placing her fingers over his lips while conversation continued around them. “I’ll be all right. I’ll see if my mother can come along, too. That will make me feel better.”
     
    Alex’s mouth quirked in a half-smile. “It also doesn’t hurt that your mother won’t take shit from anyone, and will talk back if anybody has the gall to speak out against you.”
     
    Rebecca smiled. “No, that doesn’t hurt at all.”
     
    He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. “You’re taking extra security with you. If all of you are going out together, it needs to be done anyway.”
     
    Rebecca nodded. “All right.”
     
    Alex kissed her again before pulling back and speaking to the table. “What time were you planning on leaving?”
     
    “I think just after lunch,” Genevieve said. “The rain should be over by then and it will give Sarah and your Nonna a little more time to settle after they arrive. Nathaniel, do you think Charlotte will be able to come?”
     
    “I’m not sure, but I’ll convince her,” Nate said with a knowing smile.
     
    “I’d like to ask my mother to come along.”
     
    “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Rebecca,” Genevieve said genuinely. “I do have a number of wedding-related items to discuss with her.”
     
    “Don’t you think you should be discussing those with Rebecca first?” Alex asked, frustration clear in his voice. “Or me? It is our wedding, after all.” Rebecca smiled; this wasn’t the first time Alex had needed to remind his mother about that.
     
    “You know,” Genevieve started, “I very much resent the implication that I don’t have both of your best interests at heart when it comes to organizing this wedding. It is a massive undertaking and I would think that my help would be appreciated.”
     
    “My dear, of course it is appreciated,” Gabriel said as he took his wife’s hand and tried to soothe her.
     
    “It absolutely is,” Rebecca said. “Alex and I both appreciate your help and guidance.”
     
    “Well, sometimes it doesn’t feel like it.”
     
    “Well, Mama,” Alex said dryly, “then we’ll apologize properly. We are sorry for reminding you that the people getting married are Rebecca and myself, and we do thank you profusely for your unending stream of advice and guidance, often unsolicited.”
     
    The rest of the table burst out laughing, as did Genevieve after a few moments later. “Stop it. I am