Page 56 of Awaiting
“Bexley?” she uttered when she opened it.
“Your Royal Highness,” her lead guard said.
“It’s all right,” Alex told him, returning her attention to Bexley. “Is everything okay?”
“You didn’t say goodnight,” Bexley said as she stood on the steps. “I brought some snacks and a bottle of wine. I stole it from Alice,” she explained. “I was wondering if you wanted to have a nightcap. If you’re too tired, though, I–”
“No, I’m not tired. I just… You were putting the twins to bed, so I thought I’d leave you to it.”
“Should I go?”
“No, come in. It’s absolutely freezing out there,” Alex said.
She moved back to allow Bexley inside and closed the door behind her.
“Tell me about it. I wish I were still in hot water.”
“Come here. I have a fire going,” Alex said. “Oh, I’m being rude.” She reached out and took the bottle of wine as well as a bag of whatever food Bexley had brought and placed it on the small table next to the bed. “Can I take your coat?” she asked, moving behind Bexley.
“Sure.”
Bexley undid her buttons, and Alex removed her coat from her shoulders, hanging it up in the small closet by the door.
“Here. Warm up,” she said, motioning toward the fire.
“Is that a bearskin rug?” Bexley asked, laughing.
“You don’t have one?”
“No, I have a regular rug. I guess they reserve the bearskin for the royals.”
“Alice and Nora didn’t have one,” Alex pointed out, carrying the wine and the food over to where Bexley was standing. “Want to sit down?”
Bexley didn’t answer, but shedidsit down. Alex sat across from her on the floor.
“Glasses… I don’t think I have any glasses in here,” she said, realizing they had an open bottle of wine and no glasses.
“Alice and Nora had some in their room. I assumed you would, too.”
“Water glasses in the bathroom will do,” Alex replied, moving to stand.
“No, don’t get up,” Bexley told her. “It’s fine. I’m not classy.” She pulled the cork from the bottle, tipped it to her lips, and took a drink.
“Well, I can’t say I’ve ever drunk wine straight from the bottle.” Alex laughed. “Can I take this to mean you are now comfortable enough with me to not call me by my title ever again?”
“Yeah, you’re just Alex to me now. All that glitz-and-glamor crap has worn off.” Bexley winked at her and passed her the bottle. “Bottom’s up.”
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“No,” Bexley replied. “I brought food to prevent that.” She reached for the bag and pulled out cheese, fruit, and some crackers. “Dive in.”
“So, I know we talked about me coming to the States with you, but I think I sort of forced my invitation on you, and I just wanted to say that if you need to go alone or don’t want a Princess in tow, it’s totally fine. It’s your grandmother, and a personal thing, so I wouldn’t want to get in the way.”
“You don’t want to go?”
“No, I do,” Alex said quickly. “I do. I want to see where you grew up. But I don’t want you to think you have to take me with you. We can still go to Balmoral; that hasn’t changed.”
“Alex, I asked you what kind of tea you drink because I wanted to order some for you. You don’t drink coffee, and I don’t have much of anything at homeexceptcoffee.”