Summary: Riley is bored during downtime between filming. Will she be able to sneak out with the group without getting caught?
“Nice work last night, Kat. I especially like how you sent Olivia in right when Riley and Liam started kissing. The look Olivia’s face was priceless. Things are going great with Liam and Riley, which is what we want, but we have to get him to back off a little to make it look likes there’s a competition here.”
“Thanks Jo, but I cant take all the credit. I saw them getting closer, but fate was on my side with Olivia getting there right when they kissed. Also, I need to tell you I kind of told Olivia if she interrupted them, she could get the next solo date. She didn’t want to look desperate on camera, but a date with Liam was incentive enough.”
“Why would you say that? We could have gotten someone else to do it. At least when he picked Hana for the first date, he got to think it was mostly his idea.”
“It’s going to be fine, Jo. We’ll get Liam on board. Plus after the date with miss goody two shoes Hana last week, we need to spice things up a bit. Olivia is the perfect candidate,” Kat assured.
“Okay, so what dates did Liam agree to for this week?”
“Well, he said the Derby at Honeyhill Downs in non-negotiable. He attends every year and it is important politically for him to do so. That will be the one on one since it would logistically be a nightmare to film a large group of women in that crowd. The team, and I then came up with the idea of horseback riding for the group date to stick with the horse theme. Liam liked the idea and suggested their destination could be the Cordonia hot springs for some relaxation after the horseback riding which sounds perfect. Even the divas won’t object to that part of it.”
Jo looked pleased. “This is why you are my second in command, Kat. You think of everything. Now all we have to do is convince Liam that he wants to take Olivia on the date.”
~~~~~
The production staff addressed the women at breakfast the morning after the first elimination ceremony and let them know there would be no filming going on that day due to Liam having political obligations to attend to. Since there was no filming, and thus no crew or other outsiders running around the palace, Riley convinced Drake that there was no need for him to follow her around all day, and he was able to get approval from Liam to have the day off. After last night, he probably welcomed a break from her, and it was nice for Riley to be able to come and go freely. Well, as free as one could be confined to the palace grounds.
By lunchtime, Riley was bored out of her mind, so she decided to pay a visit to her brothers. She didn’t even care if she had to do another etiquette lesson. They were staying in the wing opposite of the women so they wouldn’t be in the way of filming the show. She found Maxwell in one of the sitting rooms watching television. He looked about as bored as she was.
“Riley! What are you doing here? Did you break free?” Maxwell jumped up and wrapped Riley in a big bear hug.
Riley laughed. “There’s no filming going on today, and I’m dying of boredom. I don’t even care if I have to sit through lectures from Betrand, I needed to get away from everyone over there.”
“Sorry to disappoint you Riley, but Bertand isn’t here today. He had to go back and take care of our house affairs, and whatever other obligations he has as Duke. I’ll still hang out with you though. I won’t even make you learn any dances or quiz you about Cordonian nobles.”
“In that case, what would you say about getting out of here for awhile? Maybe show me around town?”
Maxwell hesitated. “I know I didn’t memorize your contract like Betrand did, but I’m pretty sure you aren’t supposed to leave the grounds. I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble. I would hate for anything to jeopardize your shot with Liam…And I probably shouldn’t say this, but this money coming into House Beaumont from the show is a huge relief for Bertrand. He has been so stressed about our funds lately. Not that we want you to stay if you didn’t want to be with Liam….”
“Don’t worry Maxwell. I get it,” Riley assured him. “Liam and I are hitting it off quite nicely, so I’m staying for him, but I know the money is a nice added benefit for all of us. I’m pretty sure both Liam and the producers are set on me sticking around, so even if they found out I broke the rules, I’m sure I’d be fine.”
“Bertrand can never find out about this.”
“Thank you Maxwell! My lips are sealed. One more thing. Is it okay if we bring Hana? I’m sure she’d love to get to know the area too.”
“Okay, but no nobody else. You go get Hannah and I’ll meet you out front.”
It took a bit of convincing to get Hannah to break the rules, but she agreed to join Riley and Maxwell. Maxwell was a hilarious tour guide, providing unique commentary on the history and architecture downtown. They had a delicious dinner at a small bistro.
“Thank you for the lovely time Maxwell, but I think we should be getting back. Don’t you think Riley?” Hana asked.
“I don’t know…I kind of don’t want this day to end yet.” Riley looked up and down the street. “Oooh I could go for a cronut! We need to go get some for dessert.
Hana and Maxwell both looked confused. “Don’t you mean donuts?” Maxwell questioned.
“No cronuts are a cross between a croissant and a donut. They are big in NY but they’ve grown in popularity elsewhere. Let’s go see if that bakery over there has them.” Riley excitedly led them to the bakery.
Once inside, Riley was please to see several cronut varieties. “You guys are going to love these!”
~~~~~
Drake was happy to have a day off after being on duty every waking hour of the past several days, but he almost didn’t know what to do with himself. He got in an extra long workout, went fishing, watched some football, but as evening came he started to get a little antsy. He didn’t miss Riley, but he thought he should probably just check on her to make sure everything was okay. It’s what Liam would want, right?
He casually walked past all the main areas where the women were hanging out, and he didn’t see her. He supposed he would just have to knock on her door to see if she was in there, but there was no answer. As part of the security team he had a master key for all the doors. He debated about whether it was necessary to open the door, but he decided it was. Just to make sure everything was okay in there. But when he openened the door there was no sign of her their either.
Drake decided to check with Maxwell and Betrand, and as he passed the main entrance, Liam was just arriving back at the palace.
“Drake!” Liam called. “Just who I was looking for.” I’ve had a really long day and could use a drink. Care to join me?“
“Oh, hey Liam. I was actually looking for Riley. You know…just checking in on her…as part of my job.”
“I’m sure the on duty guards have everything under control. You really are taking this assignment seriously Drake.”
“Yeah…well, anyways I haven’t seen her anywhere, so I was going to go check with the Beaumonts.”
Liam pulled out his phone. “I’ll just call Maxwell…Hey Maxwell, is Riley with you?…Okay we are going to come down by you…You aren’t at the palace!? Where are you?…Do not go anywhere, Drake and I will be right there.”
Drake was growing concerned. “Where did they go?”
“To a bakery downtown. Maxwell said something about cronuts?” Liam motioned to Bastien. “Can you go get the car and drive us there?”
They arrived at the bakery a short time later. Drake was surprised to see Hana was there too. “Maxwell, what were you thinking leaving the palace with Riley and Hana?”
“I’m sorry, but Riley can be really persuasive. I really had no choice.”
Drake wanted to be mad at Maxwell, but he had already begun to see for himself how persistent Riley could be. Maxwell didn’t stand a chance against her. “You should have at least asked me or another guard to come with.”
“Drake we were just fine on our own,” Riley jumped in. “I know it would have been painful for you to have to hang out with us on your day off.”
Liam laughed quietly. “Ladies, I think you both know as part of the show stipulations, you aren’t to be leaving the palace unsupervised…but don’t let Drake be too hard on you. He’s convinced me to sneak out more than a time or two. As long as we are here, may we join you?”
“Sure, there is more than enough to go around. Just make sure you grab one before Maxwell eats them all. Drake, are you sure this won’t cut too much into your brooding time?” Riley said with a smirk.
Everyone laughed but Drake. He sat dawn across the table from Riley. He tried to shoot her a look to convey his annoyance, but when she locked her intense eyes on him, he felt something else entirely. He felt a flush come over him, and he had to avert his gaze before the blush reached his cheeks.
Liam clapped Drake on the back. “It seems she has you figured out already.”
“That’s enough out of you Liam. Drake grabbed a cronut and took a bite. “Mmm, deep fried baked goods. This is my kind of dessert.”
“I know, aren’t these amazing?” Maxwell mumbled with a mouthful. “This is my third one.”
Drake saw Hana cutting hers with a fork and a knife. “Hana, I think these are meant to be finger food.”
“My parents taught me that it wasn’t proper to eat food with my hands in front of others. I always use utensils.”
“Its true. I even saw her cut up a piece of toast at breakfast the other day,” Riley added. “Maybe we can get her to live a little…get her to eat french fries without a fork.”
“I don’t know if I’ve ever eaten french fries at all,” Hana pondered.
Drake just shook his head. Everyone stayed awhile longer, laughing and talking, telling stories from when they were younger.
This has been fun, and the cronuts were delicious, but we really should get back before we are missed,“ Liam announced. “Bastien’s outside waiting and can drive us all back.”
~~~~~
They arrived back at the palace. Liam had to sneak in separately, as it would cause a shitstorm if the other ladies saw him arriving back at the palace with Riley and Hana. Maxwell said goodnight and headed off to his wing, while Bastien dropped Hana off at her room, leaving Drake to take Riley to hers.
Riley opened her door and turned to say goodbye to Drake. “I guess I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
“You couldn’t just let me have one day off Bennett, could you?” Drake’s tone was flat, but Riley could see a hint of a smile.
“I was just fine without you you. I think you just couldn’t bear to go a day without seeing me. How did you know I was gone if you weren’t looking for me?” Riley was trying to fluster him, and it was working.
“I…uh…I just take my job very seriously.”
“Uh-huh, sure. Well, whatever the reason, its nice to have someone looking out for me here, even if you are kind of a pain in the ass. Thank you.” Riley wrapped her arms around Drake and she was almost as surprised about it as he was, but it just felt right in that moment. She buried her head in his shoulder and he tentatively hugged her back. She was still just getting to know him, but she already felt so safe and comfortable in his strong arms. She pulled back before her feelings got too carried away. It was hard to read what Drake was thinking from the look on his face.
“Goodnight Drake. Oh, and tell Liam to stop making you wear that suit if we aren’t at a formal event. You seem much more comfortable dressed like this.” His button down chambray shirt and dark colored jeans were nothing special, but they were much more him.
“I won’t argue with that. The less time I have to wear a suit, the better. Now don’t get any ideas about sneaking out again tonight Bennett. I’m warning the night guards about you”
“I’ll be on my best behavior…for tonight at least.”