A stern-faced butler received them at the door and lead them into a large parlor. “If you'll all have a seat, Mr. Banri should return any moment now. Gayle will bring you some tea and refreshments while you wait.”
“Thank you, Rodgers, that would be excellent.” Hiram settled into an over-sized armchair, looking quite at home. The women joined him, finding places on a large settee and matching chairs. Alex hesitated in the doorway, uncertain of the protocol here. Opting for formality, he shifted to the side, standing sentry beside the door, face forward and hands clasped behind his back.
“Aren't you going to join us?” Lily asked, her legs tucked up beneath her as she curled into a large armchair.
“I'm fine here.”
“Don't be ridiculous, boy, you're a guest here, same as us,” Hiram reprimanded. “Come sit down.”
Alex looked over at the group, frozen in uncertainty. He didn't want to offend their hosts, but would it really be appropriate for the princess's guard to be counted among the other guests? There was a time when he would have joined them readily and thought little of it, but now... now, he wore his duty like a shield, protecting himself from unwanted feelings and desires.
Josselyn rose off of the settee and walked over to him, her eyes understanding as they met his own. She slipped her hand into his, and his heart tripped over itself at the feel of her smooth skin against his own. With a gentle tug, she pulled him away from the door. “I'd feel more secure with you beside me, then standing off to the side. I insist you join us.”
He tore his gaze away from their entwined hands, swallowing hard as he attempted to keep the telling heat from his face.
“Of course, if you insist, Your Highness.”
He sat beside her on the settee, his posture stiff. Fortunately, a maid came in with a cart full of tea and sandwiches, and everyone was soon distracted as they filled their empty stomachs. They were just finishing up, when the door swung open and two men strode into the room, one who looked to be around Hiram's age, the other likely in his mid to late twenties.
The older man, who was tall and broad with a thick head of gray hair and a neatly trimmed beard, spoke first.
“I've doubled the sentries, per your request, Hiram, so I'm hoping you're ready to explain what this is all about.” He paused, looking around the room. “Ah, excuse me. Girls, welcome. It's always a pleasure to see your lovely faces grace our humble home.”
The sisters all chorused their various greetings. Dahlia gestured to the settee where Josselyn sat beside Alex. “We've brought some rather special guests with us, Mr. Banri. May I present Her Royal Highness, Josselyn deLure, and her personal guard, Alex Grey?”
Mr. Banri looked at them in shock, confusion coloring his features. “This is... the princess? But she's so old. I thought the princess was a young maiden still.”
The younger man beside him coughed loudly, as if to cover his laughter. “Too blunt, father,” he murmured, then stepped forward and presented them with a low bow. His light brown hair fell over his eyes as he bent his head in their direction. “We are honored to have you grace our home, Your Highness.”
Josselyn grinned, dipping her head in response. “We're most grateful for your hospitality. Mr. Banri, was it?”
The older man's eyes widened at her youthful voice, while the younger man grinned, his eyes dancing with humor. “Yes, Your Highness. I'm David Banri, and this is my father, Jonathan Banri.”
Josselyn's eyes lit up, and she shot a glance in Dahlia's direction. “It's so nice to finally meet you, David. You don't mind if I call you David, do you? I've heard so much about you, I feel as if I already know you.”
Alex raised his eyebrows, watching as Dahlia's face grew bright red while her sisters' shoulders shook with barely restrained laughter. David's grin grew even wider, as he, too, turned to look at Dahlia. “Have you now?”
Jonathan Banri sputtered, oblivious to the younger people's teasing. “I'm afraid I don't really understand what's going on. Hiram? Could you please explain to this old man what these kids are going on about? They're not making a lick of sense.”
Hiram chuckled. “Young folks never do, do they? Have a seat, old friend, we've much to discuss.”
Jonathan sank into a chair beside Hiram's, with his son settling onto the floor in front of Dahlia, much to her sisters' amusement. They spent the next two hours filling the two newcomers in on the events of the past few days and discussing what needed to be done to defend Tallis from potential invasions.
Afterwards, they were all lead off to various guestrooms, of which the large home boasted several, where they found baths had been prepared for them all. Due to the number of guests, Alex's was a simple metal washtub of hot water. The young maid who had brought him soap and a large towel was quite effusive in her apologies, but he waved her off, happy just to be able to wash off some of the sweat and grime from traveling. There was a change of clothing set out on the bed, and he was grateful to find they actually fit him quite well. As grateful as he'd been for the clothes Hiram had lent him, they'd been rather short in the sleeves and pant legs.
There was a knock on the door, and a young, male servant entered, bowing respectfully. “The master has requested that dinner be served al fresco tonight, if I may direct you to the terrace?”
Alex ran a hand over his hair self-consciously. “Uh, sure, thank you.”
He followed the servant down the hall. A door on the opposite side of the stairs opened, and Josselyn stepped out, smiling as she said something to the maid following just behind her. She looked up and caught Alex's eye, and he felt all the air leave his lungs with a
