looked amazing, Coco thought, as he helped her into the car. He was dressed Texan formal in a black suit, bolo tie and his black hat. He hadn’t worn his hat in a while so he wouldn’t frighten Emma. He looked sexy enough to kill. And it would take all she had not to be the victim of this murder.
She crossed her left leg over her right and pumped it.
“That’s some shoe,” Benjamin said.
Coco glanced down at the sparkly pump and smiled. “Yes, it is. Bridget insisted. I insisted that it was on sale, which it was.” She pumped her foot again. “It almost looks like Cinderella’s slipper, doesn’t it?”
“Well, I never wore Cinderella’s slipper, but yeah, I can see the resemblance,” he said. “Nice legs.”
Coco immediately pushed her dress over her leg. “Thank you,” she murmured.
Seconds later, the limo stopped in front of the palace and the driver escorted them out of the car.
“Thank you,” Benjamin said and slid his hand behind Coco’s waist. “Nice that they let us in the front door this time,” he said.
She glanced up at him and felt a camera flash, saw it in her peripheral vision. “This is going to be different,” she managed, meeting his gaze.
“Get ready for the circus, darlin’,” Benjamin said and they walked inside the palace.
A string orchestra played beautiful music and waiters served appetizers and champagne. The chandeliers sparkled like diamonds. The marble floors gleamed, making Coco fear she’d fall on her derriere! A girl needed tennis shoes, not heels, in this situation.
“It’s so beautiful,” Coco said. “Look at all the dresses.”
“If you say so,” Benjamin said. He nodded at a server. “Can you get me a beer?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be right back,” the server said.
“Bet it won’t take him long,” Coco said.
“Why?” Benjamin asked.
“Because you’re so threatening,” Coco said.
“I’m not threatening,” Benjamin protested. “I just want a beer.”
Coco snickered. “You still scared him.”
Benjamin shot her a mock frown. “Why aren’t you more afraid of me?”
“Because I am magic for your daughter,” she said.
Benjamin shrugged. “Can’t deny that,” he said and suddenly his beer appeared. He glanced at Coco and lifted an eyebrow before he nodded at the server. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure, sir. Please let me know if you need anything else,” the server said and walked away.
A man in uniform appeared at the top of the double staircase and rang a bell. “Please proceed to the ballroom to your right. The royal family will arrive soon.”
The crowd moved toward the ballroom, and Coco became separated from Benjamin. She craned her neck to find him in the crowd, but couldn’t see him. She should have been able to see him with his Stetson, but every time she looked above the crowd, someone raised an arm or a tall man walked in front of her.
“Lovely lady,” a man said to her.
Coco glanced to her right and gazed at a middle-aged man with piercing blue eyes. “Thank you,” she said. “Please excuse me...”
“A Yank,” the man said in delight. “An American. We’re deluged with Italians and French. How did this happen?”
Coco shrugged. “Lucky, I guess,” she said.
A half beat later, she felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned around, hoping it was Benjamin. Instead, it was Bridget.
“How are your shoes?” Bridget asked with a beaming smile.
Coco paused then gave a mangled curtsey. “Your Highness,” she said.
Bridget waved the courtesy aside. “Oh, stop. Show me your shoes.”
Coco obediently lifted her Cinderella pumps. Bridget clapped her hands and smiled. “Excellent. You look ravishing. I’ll check in with you later.” She looked past Coco and her smile fell. “Oh, hello, Rodney. Ciao.”
“You’re good friends with the princess,” Rodney said as Bridget walked away.
“No, not really,” Coco said.
“You must be. She was quite friendly with you and knew about your shoes.” Rodney squinted at her. “You have the Devereaux eyes,” he exclaimed. “You have an American accent.” His eyes widened in recognition. “I saw your photo on the internet. You’re the illegitimate Devereaux. No wonder Princess Bridget was nice to you. I’m sure Stefan gave her instructions.”
Dismayed, Coco stared at him.
“And I’m Rodney, your third or fourth cousin,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m a black sheep of the family, too. You’re safe with me,” he said in a confidential tone.
But somehow she didn’t feel so safe. Instead, Coco felt confused and uncomfortable. “I need to leave,” she said.
“Stay with me. I can make introductions,” Rodney said.
“Oh, no, that’s okay,” Coco said. “I need to find my date. A pleasure to meet you,” she fibbed with a shrug and rushed away. Luckily enough, she ran far enough to run into Benjamin.
“Thank goodness,” she said.
“Trouble?” he asked.
“Some distant cousin of the Devereaux started asking questions. I had a hard time getting away from him,” she said.
“Then stay with me,” he said and enclosed her arm inside hers. “No one is competing for my presence.”
“Bet it’s the hat or the bolo,” she said, unable to keep herself from smiling.
“Who knows?” he asked, but clearly didn’t care.
The throng of people formed a long line outside the ballroom. “I wonder why this line is moving so slowly,” Coco said.
“Because one of the perks is the opportunity to meet the royal family just inside the door,” Benjamin said in a dry tone.
“How do you know that?”
“One of the servers told me,” he said.
Coco was tempted to bolt. She wasn’t interested in having her bad curtsey viewed by so many people, and she could tell that Benjamin was bored out of his mind. “You’re hating every minute of this, aren’t you?”
“Well, it’s not a ball game or a barbecue,” Benjamin said. “I’m trying
