Page 4 of The Royally Broke Billionaire
The queen made a valiant effort to be composed and polite when she approached Piper. With a brittle smile, she said, “King Sebastian and I would be honored if you and Liam will stay in the palace as our guests while we sort this out, Ms.––?”
“Pearson. Piper Pearson.” Piper filled in her name for the incredibly classy woman. She felt especially awkward as she stammered her gratitude. “Thank you… That would be great… Thanks so much.”
Turning to look up at the butler, who was still hovering on the stairs and sneering down at Piper, Queen Tess said, “Geoffrey, please have someone escort Piper and Liam to one of the guest suites in the royal residence.”
For his part, Geoffrey’s face was pinched like he had just bit into a particularly sour piece of candy. “Are you sure that’s a good idea, Your Highness? Perhaps Ms. Pearson and Liam should be situated in the East wing of the castle with the other riff-raff.”
Piper knew from the local news stories that King Sebastian and Queen Tess had opened a portion of the castle as an exclusive and expensive getaway for the richest of the rich as a way to help the kingdom pay down its debt. By all accounts, the world’s billionaires were all clamoring to live in a real, working castle, which made the creative money-making endeavor a smashing success.
The queen lifted her chin and narrowed her gaze at the butler. It was obvious that she didn’t appreciate having her direct request questioned. In a firm, no-nonsense tone, she said, “They will be staying in the royal residence.”
Immediately deferring to her authority, Geoffrey nodded and said, “As you wish, Your Highness.”
Turning back to Piper, the queen said, “We will send a courier to collect any belongings you need from your home. Please plan to join us for dinner at 7 p.m., sharp.”
Piper nodded, feeling overwhelmed and more than a little awestruck as the queen turned and her heels click-clacked down the marble hallway and away from her.
Finn McGinley appeared in the entryway as if he had magically been summoned. Piper immediately recognized the man, who had replaced Sebastian as the royal steward when the king accepted his crown.
Piper couldn’t help but notice how Finn’s eyes sparkled when he looked up at her from his deep, polite bow of introduction. She imagined he was thrilled by the opportunity to get the inside scoop on the juicy gossip about the baby who was likely to rock this kingdom to its very core.
Ignoring the tingle she felt when Finn pressed his lips to the back of her hand in a flirtatious kiss, she shut down any potential advances from him by asking, “Are you here to show us to our room?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered with impeccable politeness before leading her up the giant staircase, right past a still-glaring Geoffrey. The bitter anger practically emanated in irate waves from the butler.
Piper wasn’t able to contain her awed gasp when she caught the first glimpse of her enormous, opulent bedroom. The luxurious bed looked almost as big as her entire studio apartment. Her feet sank into the thick carpet, and it felt like she was walking on fluffy, pillow-like clouds as she went to fling open the balcony doors.
Her view was astounding––overlooking the pool, gardens, and sea beyond the palace grounds. She stood there for a long moment, gaping at it and feeling stunned that she and Liam were actually staying here.
Finn’s voice startled her, since she had forgotten he was still with her. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”
Her heart still racing from the jump-scare, she nodded and answered simply, “Yes.”
When Finn continued to hover just behind her, she wondered if she was supposed to tip him for escorting them to their room. She had a few dollars in her purse, but she hated to part with them unnecessarily, especially since she was certain that the handsome royal steward made far more money than she did.
Reluctantly, she began digging in her purse for her wallet. When she held her last three dollars out towards him, the gesture seemed to kick Finn into gear.
“Oh! That isn’t necessary.” He held his palms up, seeming shocked that she would even suggest such a thing.
After Finn offered to have a crib sent up, he made a quick retreat out of the room. Piper shook her head, feeling disappointed with herself. She had most definitely just made a huge faux pas, either by offering the royal steward a tip at all, or by insulting him with the paltry sum she could afford.
Trying to shake off her negativity, Piper smiled down at the innocent, sleeping baby dozing in her arms and said quietly, “Welcome home, Liam.”
5
Dinner was a formal affair that left Piper feeling hopelessly simple and unsophisticated. Her hodgepodge dress that she had stitched together from remnants did not in any way fit in at the elegant royal table.
She had reluctantly left Liam with a woman who referred to herself as Hettie, the palace nanny. The gentle older woman seemed caring and maternal as she cooed and rocked the baby in an antique wooden rocking chair, which had probably been used to rock a century’s worth of royal babies to sleep. Piper wondered what the nanny normally did with all of her time at work, since Liam was currently the only baby in the castle.
The massive royal table was set with a fine set of delicate china emblazoned with the royal crest in gold leaf. There were so many crystal goblets and heavy pieces of silverware at her place setting that Piper was uncertain what to use when. She just prayed that she didn’t drop and break any of the expensive finery, or otherwise make a fool of herself during the meal.
When the trio of waiters placed steaming bowls of spicy seafood gumbo in front of them in perfect synchronization, Piper’s mouth watered. She was used to surviving mostly on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so this meal was sure to be a special treat.
Piper knew enough of royal traditions from being born and raised on the island to not pick up her utensils prior to the monarchs. After carefully watching which spoon the queen selected, she followed suit. She daintily blew on her soup before taking a tentative sip. It was all she could do not to groan with delight over the delicious burst of flavors assaulting her taste buds.
Once she tucked in to the flavorful broth with vigor, Piper realized how hungry she was. She’d missed lunch and had only eaten a slice of peanut butter toast for breakfast. She was vaguely aware as she tried to not slurp the soup that the king and queen barely touched theirs.
Glancing up, Piper noticed there was a basket of breads and rolls with butter on either side of the table, near each of the royals. The table was so long that her spot in the middle was too far away to be able to reach either basket.
