Chapter 23
Henry's head was swimming. He didn't know how to handle all this information. A count! And he had inherited his father's title. And then there was the birth certificate and the will. Well, he would do the same thing his father did with it; absolutely nothing. He didn't want any part of royalty or the upper class. He certainly didn't want to have anything to with Princess Danielle or Nicole or whatever her name was, especially now, after that scene outside in the garden with Prince Rupert, although he wasn't marrying her according to Geoff. Well, no matter; all he wanted was to be left alone; he just wanted to run his catering business in peace. He was even thinking of changing his mind and recommending someone else to cater the Queen's party.
Party? Geez, the party. He had forgotten all about it with all this excitement. He was late now. Larry and Leo couldn't handle this alone, he had to be there; he promised his cousin.
He tried alerting him several times on the Nextel, but Larry ignored the chirps, which wasn't like him. He would have to go across the street himself, no matter if he wanted to or not. The Director's office was situated within walking distance from the palace, the Royal Family had always owned that block of office buildings.
He put the Nextel back on his hip and looked up when he saw a crowd gathering around the rear entrance of the Winter Palace. He heard a woman's voice screaming his name and waving her arms frantically.
Nicole, he thought and started to run as fast as his legs would carry him.
"Henry?" It was a man's voice that stopped him. He was tall as well as wide, but a good looking man, handsome, with dark brown hair and eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Henry broke into a grin. "Uncle Phil?" Always the charmer, he seemed to have an air of aristocracy about him. "I could ask you the same question."
Philip Duval broke into a grin. "I'll explain later. Right now we have to rescue a certain young lady from this crowd of paparazzi. Are you with me?"
"Right behind you," Henry answered, following his uncle across the street.
*********
Danielle wasn't prepared for what was waiting for at the rear entrance. There were a small army of reporters and paparazzi out there clamoring to interview her about her breakup with Prince Rupert and her subsequent plans to marry a commoner. They surrounded her as soon as she walked out the door.
How the heck did they know she was here? Why were they here and who told them?
She looked up and saw two men running toward her. She called Henry's name and waved her arms over her head so that he would know it was her.
"Leave her alone," Henry voice boomed over everyone. The entire crowd quieted down, letting him speak. "This is Nicole Lindsay, a servant who works at the Palace." He held out his hand and Danielle grabbed it. Everyone parted to let Danielle through.
"You're not the Princess?" one of the female reporters thrust a microphone into her face.
"No comment." Philip answered and shoved the microphone away. "Let's get back to my office," he said as he pushed Danielle and Henry across the street away from the crowd, who was tagging after the three of them. "I've got a lot to explain."