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She relaxed a little at that He had a point

The chauffeur opened the door to the li out over the crowd "Griffin, Viscount Montagne Verdi"

Heads turned just as Maylee slid out of the li to ht there, shielding her froed at her low-cut bodice again towas proper, touched her jewelry, and then sh at her actions "Easy for you to laugh," she muttered, but she put her hand in the crook of his arm that he offered

And they went in

Griffin wasn’t surprised to see that the party all-to-wall Everyone as slightly anyone in Bellissi countries had been invited, and no one wanted to miss out As soon as they entered the roorees simply froasp as they ers that lay on his sleeve "Everything all right?"

"I didn’t expect to see so many people"

He did But that wouldn’t make her feel better, so he simply patted her hand "I’ll help you find ain?" she asked as they descended the stairs into the ballroom

"It’s a word that the royal family uses for personal assistant," Griffin said in a dry voice "But my mother would never be so cole If she could laugh, she’d be okay He knew she was incredibly nervous--hell, this wasn’t fun for hi the same levels of panic that ritten across her face

A visiting dignitary nodded at Griffin as he passed by, followed by a Hollywood actress The royal family was nowhere to be found Da? If he had to be out here,to his side, it would be alate the rooainst the ones They kneho he was, and they were trying to figure out who she was Nearby, a photographer was taking photos of people as they led Princess Alex must have allowed one or two of the papers into the ball as a show of good faith, but Griffin was displeased to see it He carefully steered Maylee in the other direction

They made their way to the far side of the rooave him a nervous look and sed hard

That ri My stomach couldn’t handle it"

Griffin frowned and waved over a waiter with an hors d’oeuvres tray The man arrived with a flourish and presented his tray "Lobster wrapped in cucumber and prosciutto?"

Maylee took one of the little confections and popped the entire thing into herlike a chiph "It’s good," shea hand in front of her mouth to cover it "Thank you"

"Eat another," Griffin insisted

She plucked one off the tray, and the waiter nodded and moved on Ier bowl on his tray, a linen napkin beside it The queen was a stickler for finger bowls, so guests could wash their fingers after snacking Griffin was used to seeing the little delicate bowls at parties, a slice of le atop the water to keep it fresh

Maylee crammed the other hors d’ouevre in her er bowl She picked it up and lifted it to her lips

Dear God

Griffin leaned in, stopping her before she could make a fool of herself "Maylee You don’t drink that"

"Oh" She looked at the little crystal bowl in her hand, then back at him "It’s not a cocktail?"

"It’s for you to wash your hands" He gestured at the napkin, ignoring the shocked look of the waiter that held the empty tray

"Oh," she repeated, and an embarrassed look crossed her face She returned the bowl to the tray and gave Griffin an uncertain look "That was stupid ofthe urge to cry

"Not at all," Griffin said, and dipped his fingers into the bowl to show her hoas done Then, he wiped his fingers on the napkin and gave the waiter a challenging look, as if daring him to mock Maylee in front of his face

The man nodded at Griffin, waited patiently until Maylee finished cleaning her fingers, and then one, Maylee turned to Griffin and gave him a frantic look "I don’t think I can do this, Mr Griffin"

"Nonsense," Griffin said "You’re doing fine"

"I’ to embarrass both of us! I don’t knohat to do in parties like this I--"

"Shhh," Griffin said, and reached out and caressed her cheek "You’re fine"