The Christmas Princess by Patricia McLinn Page A

and give Rufus going-away treats. Judging from their relaxed smiles when the door opened, they also seemed to know Hunter wasn’t here.
    Which made it impossible to ask him how he had never mentioned that he was a native of Bariavak.
    And that might be a good thing, because as the night went on, she thought that not asking might be better. At least for now.
    When the last of the hotel staff visitors left it was late, and she still had all the bedroom to deal with. She closed the door behind her so the light wouldn’t disturb Derek if he stretched out on the couch the way she’d suggested, and started in.
    She was leaving with the same amount of clothing as she’d arrived, but somehow it wasn’t fitting back into the suitcases. It was as if all her possessions had fluffed themselves up like Great-Grandma Beatrice’s down comforters released from the bondage of summer storage.
    Great-Grandma Beatrice
.
Leslie
.
Grady
. All the rest. She missed them. She wanted to sit with Grady. To feel his acceptance, as always. She wanted to talk to Leslie. To hear her calm, southern-tinged voice dispensing soothing wisdom.
    But she couldn’t. She had to use her best judgment and move ahead. Reese had been a mistake, but Gerard Liggett hadn’t worked out so badly.
    This would work out, too.
    If she could just get this suitcase closed. She pressed the top down with one hand, and advanced the zipper bit by bit with the other.
    There. Closed.
    Now, on to the next one.
    Until she finally could fall into bed, by then so tired that she’d had hardly a second to think about where she would be sleeping tomorrow night. Or about how strange it was to not have Hunter on the couch outside her bedroom.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
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    King Jozef came into the main back entryway at the height of the chaos. April hoped he was good at unsnarling knots.
    Because there were too many people, too many suitcases, too many bags, and a substantial dog crate all jammed into a restricted area where four hallways and two staircases converged.
    On top of that, Madame was giving what sounded like orders to the man who appeared to be a driver, which apparently involved him picking up things and heading through the obstacle course with them. But one of the bags held Rufus’ treats, and the dog expressed his displeasure with piercing and repeated barks.
    “No, please. Don’t take that. Don’t take anything yet,” April said.
    “The bags shall be taken to your rooms,” Madame said. She waved at the driver and he started off again.
    “But some things should stay down here, like Rufus’ food.”
    “A moment, Rupert,” King Jozef said. “April has a point.”
    Madame drew herself up. “That animal will not stay here. Or in the kitchen.”
    “He’ll sleep in my room, so the crate can go up.” April frowned. “But he can be a messy eater, so I wouldn’t think you’d want him to eat in a bedroom.”
    Madame glared. Sharon’s expression went impassive. King Jozef rubbed a hand across his mouth, which didn’t hide his amusement.
    Hunter stepped in. “Rupert and I’ll take a load up of things you know are going up. That will leave more room, and you can decide about the rest.”
    “Rupert shall carry everything,” Madame said.
    “I need to see the set-up for security,” Hunter said. “Might as well carry things with me as I go.”
    The king nodded.
    “The periwinkle room,” Madame said.
    The two men picked up suitcases and headed up the back staircase, with Rupert leading the way.
    The King of Bariavak extended a hand toward Rufus. “What breed of dog is this?”
    “A mutt.” April saw a flicker of confusion and added, “A mixed breed. No one knows which ones. His name is Rufus.”
    “Hello, Rufus.”
    The dog sniffed cautiously. He advanced nearer, and the king scratched behind his ears.
    April felt as if she’d expelled about a dozen breaths all in one. “You like dogs.”
    “I do.”
    “He’s a good dog and I’ll do my very best to see