“Oh, your mother would like to see you tonight before dinner.”
“That’s fine. I think we can work in a little additional time.” Several of the visiting royals and dignitaries would be here soon and a welcome dinner had been set up. We rounded a corner and passed several of the rooms allocated for guests. “Oh, do we have any extra rooms available?”
“I’ll have to check. Have we forgotten someone?” She flipped through the pages.
“Sort of. Samantha has a houseguest and he’s coming to the wedding.” I thought over the floor plan. “If we don’t have any guest rooms left, put him in the family wing. David Rhodes.”
“He is a close friend of the duchess?” Selene made notes.
“Yes. They went to college together and he will be managing the hands-on portion of the FBT while Alex and Sam are gone.” When we got to the small room I used as my office, I kicked my shoes off. I should have worn flats, but sometimes appearances really did matter. At least when I needed to make a good impression. Walking over to the small fridge behind my desk I grabbed another bottle of water. I had already drained the first one. My head was pounding and all I wanted to do was take a nap. “Do we have any aspirin?”
“I’ll go get some for you.” She set her clipboard down on her desk. “Do you need anything else?”
“Maybe a snack.” A little food might help settle my stomach as well. “Nothing heavy, please.”
“I’ll be right back.” She closed the door behind her and I fell into my seat with a sigh. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why had I drunk so much last night? Rubbing at my temples, I closed my eyes and tried to will the queasy feeling away.
A knock on my door gave me a start that was quickly followed by irritation. I should have an hour free to catch up on e-mails.
“Come in.” Sitting up straighter I forced a smile.
“I thought you might need this.” Chadwick smiled at me and held up a sports drink. “Electrolytes.”
“I’d kiss you but I might puke if I get up.” Sighing, I leaned back in my chair.
“Please don’t get up then.” He closed the door behind him gently before taking the cap off the drink and handing it to me.
“You’re amazing.” I sipped at the orange-flavored drink and closed my eyes. Selene was amazing and we got along swimmingly, but there was a maternal feel to our relationship. I supposed that was to be expected when she was the one who explained tampons to me.
“I figured you’d been drinking water all day, but needed something a little better.” He sat down in the seat across from me. “You doing okay?”
“Do I look like I’m doing okay?” I frowned.
“Well, you always look marvelous, but to those of us that know you, I can tell you’re not feeling well.” He propped his leg up on his knee and leaned back in his chair. “Do you remember much of last night?”
“Bits and pieces.” I scrunched up my nose. “Very unfortunate pieces.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“Why?” I frowned. Surely he didn’t mean when I asked David to take his clothes off or when I threw up in a potted plant. “I’m computing at half power today.”
“You let yourself have fun last night. I don’t remember the last time I saw you so relaxed.”
“I relax,” I protested. “And really, I’m paying for last night’s fun.”
“Meditating in the garden is not what I mean. You’re twenty-one! You should be having fun.” He laughed at my expression. “Maybe not quite that much fun, but you know what I mean.”
“Chadwick, you know how busy I am.” I started to shake my head but thought better of it. “And I can’t afford to have people see me like I was last night.”
“You can’t afford to not have any fun either.” He frowned at me. “I know how hard you’ve worked on this wedding. I know how hard you work at school. You need to be yourself and not worry about upsetting anyone.”
I sighed. There wasn’t much arguing with him when he decided to turn into a big brother.
“Don’t sigh at me, missy. I’m not telling you to give yourself liver damage. I’m just pointing out that Cathy is just as good as Princess Catherine. You don’t have to be one or the other.”
I looked at him, considering what he was saying. I just didn’t know how to be both. Not anymore.
There was a light tap on the door and Selene came in with a tray and a bottle of aspirin.
“Hello!” She smiled at the redhead sitting across from me.
“How are you, Selene?” Chadwick stood up and moved out of the way so she could set the tray on my desk.
“Very well. I sent you an e-mail this morning with some of the details of next week. Once I have the okay I can send out the schedules.” She uncovered the sandwiches while she talked, and I murmured a quiet thanks.
“I’ll get to it tonight.” Chadwick smiled at her before turning back to me. “I’ll see you later, Catherine.”
“Get out of here.” I hated it when he called me by my whole name. “Thanks for the drink.”
“Any time.” He winked at me as he left and I shook my head.
I opened my laptop and started work. I need to get things done before the dinner tonight. If I could finish early I might be able to squeeze in a quick nap so I’d be more on my game. I’d be sitting next to the younger brother of another royal family and he was handsy.