Rags To Riches: At His Bidding: A Home for Nobody's Princess / The Rancher's Housekeeper / Prince Daddy & the Nanny. Rebecca Winters

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 to look at it as a trip to the circus.”

      Coco laughed. “I like the idea of the circus.”

      “It’s not just an idea,” Benjamin said. “Look at how all these people are dressed. Feathers?”

      “You could say the same about me,” she said. “I. Sparkle. Kind of.” She glanced down at the broach between her breasts.

      He shook his head. “You look beautiful. No feathers. No way you look like a freak.”

      She smiled up at him. “Well, I guess that means I should thank you, though I’m not feeling overly flattered.”

      Benjamin leaned toward her. “You look damn good,” he whispered in her ear.

      “Thanks,” she whispered. “You look pretty damn good yourself.”

      “It’s the hat,” he said.

      “Yeah, and Emma would totally agree,” Coco shot back.

      He frowned at her.

      “It’s true,” she said. “You and your Stetson. Scary.”

      “I’ll make you change your mind,” he said, ushering her closer to the doorway into the ballroom.

      * * *

      Finally, Coco was presented to Stefan and Eve. She curtsied. Again, awkwardly.

      Stefan nodded and extended his hand. “I’m glad you could attend tonight. I hope you’re enjoying yourself.”

      “Thank you for inviting me,” Coco said.

      “My pleasure. I’m grateful for your positive words to my wife,” he said.

      Coco nodded. “I wish you both the best,” she said and was led to Eve.

      “Good to see you,” Eve said. “I love it that you curtsey the same way I did,” she said with a chuckle.

      “I suspect that’s not a compliment on my form,” Coco said.

      Eve nodded. “But your advice to me was superior,” she said.

      “How are you feeling?” Coco asked.

      “Good right now. I’m taking advantage of my good moments then resting during my other times. Thank you for coming tonight,” Eve said and turned to Benjamin. “And you, too. You’re a lucky man to have Coco.”

      Benjamin slid his hand around Coco’s waist and nodded. “That, I am.”

      They were led away from Eve. Hating her instant emotional reaction to his touch, Coco moved away from him as soon as possible.

      “You’re going to need to pretend a little better,” he said in a low voice next to her ear.

      Again, his closeness made all her nerve endings jump. “I guess I’m not as good at pretending as I hoped I’d be.”

      “Looks like they have a good spread of food. Maybe that will make you feel better. I think there’s even some chocolate. I’ll get you a glass of champagne,” he offered and walked toward a server.

      Coco immediately felt a sliver of relief that he’d stepped away from her. She needed to get better control of her reactions to him. Coco didn’t want to make a fool of herself over her boss. She tried to distract herself with the beautiful display of appetizers and desserts.

      Benjamin returned with her champagne as she nibbled on a few bites of a crab cake. Seconds later, a band began to play. “Ladies and gentleman, I present Her Highness Bridget and her husband, Dr. Ryder McCall. Let the dancing commence.”

      Several couples immediately joined Princess Bridget and her husband on the dance floor. Coco watched, entranced by the scene. It was like something out of an enchanted story, more beautiful than any movie could capture. The women’s dresses reflected the light from the chandeliers, and the men looked so handsome and sophisticated. Their reflections echoed off the mirrors on the walls of the ballroom.

      “Wanna dance?” Benjamin asked.

      Coco whipped her head around to look at him. “No,” she immediately said.

      “You look like you do,” he said with a shrug.

      “It’s just so beautiful. All of it. The people, the women’s dresses, the mirrors and the lights. Have you ever seen anything like it?”

      He glanced at the dance floor. “It’s a sight to see. I’ve been to a few charity events in Dallas where everyone was dressed in designer clothing and the rooms were decorated. Gotta say, though, I like the view from my backdoor on a spring morning better than this.”