Okay, this was a little awkward. With Rik’s arm around her shoulder, and Bertie now lurking over her other shoulder, Sam was face-to-face with more Leons. She could feel Rik’s discomfort in the tightness of his muscles, in the stiffness of his voice as he introduced her.
“Sam, you already met my mother, Victoria, and my youngest brother, Hugh. The young man on the left is my other brother, Thomas, and my uncle, Wilhelm.” His hand tightened briefly on her shoulder before he released a slow breath. “Thomas, Uncle Wilhelm, this is my anam cara, Samantha Kelly.”
Thomas looked like his younger brother, only he had filled out a bit, broader in the chest and shoulders, but with the same vivid blue eyes and shock of dark hair, with dark stubble shadowing his square jaw. At eighteen, he was extremely serious, with a steady gaze and quiet voice, as he dipped his head, “Bon jour, Samantha.”
Wilhelm was a hale, hearty man, with black hair gone gray at the temples and a close-cropped beard that emphasized strong features. He was a little taller than Rik was, a little more stoutly built, but his face was open and honest. Sam could read the hint of pain and resignation in his dark hazel eyes as he gave Rik and her a shallow nod. “Be welcome, Samantha, Rik,” he flashed a grin that was eerily reminiscent of Rik’s as he turned to nod at Bertie, “And Bertrand, my old friend. Please, accept our hospitality for as long as you may need. You are all welcome here, at any time.”
Bertie grunted, returning the grin reluctantly as he rumbled, “Thank you, Wil, Victoria.”
Rik grunted as well, particularly when Sam dug a sharp elbow into his stomach as she offered her brightest, friendliest smile, “Yes, thank you! It’s beautiful! Well, what I’ve seen of it, anyways.”
That, of course, led to a full tour of the Chalet. It was massive, with more than a dozen bedrooms—including ones that had been set aside for Rik, Clara, and Gen—two libraries, a kitchen that impressed even the taciturn Bertie, a game room, movie theater, and a deck that overlooked the Alps complete with a wet bar and two different hot tubs. Victoria kept up a stream of lively chatter, but Sam felt tension radiating from every one of them. By the time the tour had returned to the parlor, Sam had had enough.
They sat in the parlor, Rik's arm still firmly around her shoulder and Bertie just as firmly planted in the seat next to her. Wilhelm, Thomas, and Hugh all sat on the settee across from them. The men were all blandly staring at one another, making no effort to converse. Victoria nervously fluttered around, pouring tea into delicate porcelain cups and passing around a silver tray with lots of little nibblies.
Never a big tea drinker, Sam demurred both tea and cookies and pursed her lips. Drumming her fingers on Rik's taut leg, she glanced about the room, struggling to find something, anything, to break the tense silence.
"So, how about them Broncos?" she jokingly muttered half-under her breath, drawing a startled laugh from Rik.
Squeezing her shoulder, Rik whispered in her ear, "Football season is over, ma petite flamme. It's baseball season."
"Ugh," Hugh groaned, "American football and baseball suck."
Thomas nodded, his expression serious and intent as he said, "Yes. Rugby's much more intense. Ireland has done quite well in the European Rugby Cup this year, with Leinster and Munster making it to the semi-finals in two weeks." He shrugged, "The Saracens from England and our Clermont team are also doing quite well."
Victoria gazed between her youngest sons in consternation as they began arguing over who they favored, Hugh was cheering for England with Thomas going France all the way. Sam felt the need to pipe in, "Nah, Ireland all the way. Erin go bragh, brah!"
The younger Leon boys turned on her, both loudly going on about stats, hookers, flankers, tries, until Sam's head spun. Holding up her hands defensively, she admitted, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm not really into sports, except for football...er, American football, I guess, because that's what my father and brothers are all obsessed with. Oh! And I watched a couple of women's rugby games during the Olympics!"
The matching looks of utter disgust on Thomas and Hugh's faces made Sam laugh.
"In that case, you should come and see Leinster play Clermont at Stade Gerland," Wilhelm offered with a knowing grin. "It's two weeks from today, in Lyon."
Rik shook his head, "That's the last Sunday before the Village opens for the season. It would be difficult to get away."
"Oh, that's right," Sam said, slumping in disappointment. Then she perked up, "You guys should come to opening weekend!"
Once more, an uncomfortable silence fell over the room. At least until Sam once again unleashed her Elbow of Doom into Rik's ribcage.
His breath exploding in a rush, Rik gave Sam a Look—which she totally shrugged off—but as he rubbed his sore ribs, he turned to his mother and Wilhelm. He even managed to sound sincere as he said, "Yes, please. I know it's been awhile since you've been back to the Estates, and I think the boys would really enjoy the Village."
See? He could be trained!
Oops, she must have said that out loud, because Sam found herself the center of a bunch of smirking faces. Ducking her head to hide the onslaught of Sudden Blushing Syndrome, Sam cleared her throat loudly, "I mean, could I have some coffee, Victoria, please? Apparently, my brain's still asleep."
"But your mouth is wide awake, baby," Rik huskily whispered into her ear, eliciting a shiver from her. Stupid pregnancy hormones! And yes, she was well aware it was too early for hormones to have kicked in, but if she was knocked up, she was going to milk that excuse for all she was worth—starting now!
Thankfully, after that, conversation flowed a bit easier, more naturally. Rik's mother was a sweetheart, and his uncle, while gruff, was obviously trying his best to make them feel at ease. The boys were hilarious, each in their own ways. Thomas was sardonic, serious, and wielded sarcasm like a whip. Hugh was more outgoing and gregarious, always ready with a joke or a well-timed jibe aimed at either older brother. From the looks he occasionally sent her way, he also apparently had a little bit of a crush on her, which Sam found more adorable than words could say.
Finally, Rik leveraged himself to his feet and offered Sam his hand up. Placing his hand on the small of her back as she stood beside him, he dipped his head. "Maman, thank you for tea, and for healing my anam cara, though none was apparently necessary."
Victoria came forward and wrapped both he and Sam in a warm hug. "Non, my son and new daughter, you are always welcome here, and if you ever need me, call." She smiled knowingly, "I'm your mother, call anyways. I like to hear your voice, even if its groaning in disgust at something I've said."
"Yes, Maman," Rik said—and yes, it held that whining groan all children developed not long after they spoke their first word—as he kissed her upturned cheek.
Wilhelm came forward then and offered his hand to Rik. After only the briefest of moments, and before Sam could do much more than ready her elbow—just in case—Rik accepted the older Sidhe's grip. "Oncle Wil, thank you for your hospitality."
The boys came forward then. Thomas offered Rik his hand, only for Sam to pull the serious young man in for a warm hug. Hugh was more than happy to get his turn to hug Sam, and Sam had to stifle a giggle as she caught Rik's glare at the smirking teenager.
"What are your plans?" Victoria asked them.
Sam looked up to find Rik looking down at her, a question on his face. She gave him a small nod, and he smiled before looking back at his mother. "If you don't mind, we'll stay another few days. Unfortunately, I've got to work and Sam has a new job she needs to start, or her boss will have to have words with her."
"Hey!" Sam interjected, "From what I understand, Clara's going to be my boss."
With a sly grin, Rik kissed the tip of her nose. "Mm-hmm, baby, she is, she is..." He was way too smug.
"It's his signature on our checks," Bertie said calmly. "Clara and Gen run the Estates, but they fall under Cœur de Lyon Enterprises..."
Rik laughed at the disgust on Sam's face. Holding up placating hands, he said smoothly, "Baby, it all balances out. I mean, once you put a ring on it, you'll be the boss of me, so we can take turns bossing each other around."
"Count on it," Sam said, much to everyone's amusement.
The next few days passed in a beautiful blur. The Chateau was located in Vallorcine, near the border of Switzerland and with an unobstructed, breathtaking view of Lac d'Èmosson. A tiny municipality, away from the bustle of the more popular tourist and ski resorts of Chamonix, the isolated location gave Sam and Rik plenty of alone time together.
The two even managed to actually start getting to know one another, and totally did not spend more than half of their time awake having sex or making love. No, seriously, they didn't! Stop laughing.
Unfortunately, the real world outside kept intruding. Rik had to take a few video conference calls, although Lizzie was more than capable of running most of the company without him having to lift a finger—something he grumbled about. There were also near-constant phone calls, text messages, and even emails all to Rik's phone, as their combined family and friends checked up on them.
On their last night at the Château, Sam stood at the balcony of their room, taking in the sight of the moonlight reflecting off the clear blue waters of Èmosson. Rik came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, his large hands once more finding their place splayed over her stomach as he nestled her against his warm body.
"What are you thinking, ma petite flamme?" His breath was warm against her ear, and her shiver was entirely due to that and not the cool, crisp Alpine breeze.
Resting her hands atop of his, Sam looked down to where their hands were joined. Their marks had not changed at all in the last few days, and frankly that worried her.
"I'm worried this is all just a dream, a fairy tale," she finally admitted.
Rik rested his chin on top of her head as he rocked her in his strong arms. "Nope, I'm afraid I'm stuck with you. You won my hand in fair combat, after all. That quite ruined my prospects at any political marriages. I'm tarnished goods. A ruined man. No other would accept me for my scandalous reputation. You..."
The son-of-a-Sidhe would have kept on with all that if Sam hadn't have turned around in his arms and leaned up to press her lips against his. To shut him up, of course. No other reason. Of course, that could be because reason and rationality completely deserted her the moment their lips met. Either way, it totally shut him up.
Pulling her lips away, Sam looked up into his glowing eyes, more emerald than amber today. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. And the goofball made her silly happy. She studied his eyes intently for a few moments before she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his chest, right over his heart.
"I love you. I'm going to love and annoy you forever. You have my heart and you are my soul. I want to share an eternity loving you."