“That was six months ago,” Patrice pointed out.

“Poor Brenna is not going to be happy when she finds out,” Paolo said.

“Brenna?” Levi asked. “She’s too young for me.”

Enrico took a sip of water. “She didn’t think so.”

“How old is Brenna?” Cassie asked, a touch of amusement lacing her voice.

“Twenty,” Patrice said. “She is one of the house servants.”

Paolo shook his head. “Poor girl.”

Levi noticed the look on Cassie’s face. “Do you find this amusing?”

“You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed.” Cassie put her hand on his and spoke to Patrice. “Isn’t he cute?”

“And this is why I haven’t brought you to meet my friends before,” Levi grumbled.

“I like her,” Paolo announced.

“I do too.” Levi glanced at Cassie before adding, “Most of the time.”

Their dining companions chuckled.

“Well, I for one am glad you are here, Cassie.” Patrice picked up the spatula and served herself a second piece of lasagna. “Maybe you can teach Levi how to take a day off every now and again.”

“I will certainly do my best.”

* * *

“I like them,” Cassie announced as Levi led her past the various seating areas in the great room and out the french doors leading to the terrace.

“I’m glad. They liked you too.”

Cassie tilted her head to the side. “Really? How can you tell?”

“Patrice asked about your favorite foods, Enrico offered to take you into town when I’m working, and Paolo invited you to the stables tomorrow. All telltale signs that they enjoyed your company.”

“It’s an odd sensation to think someone feels that way and know that it doesn’t have to do with who my father is.”

“I never thought about it that way.” Levi put his hand on the small of her back and led her toward a lighted path in the garden. “Surely you have friends.”

“I have my sisters.”

“And . . . ?”

“We have family associates and people who I have been close to over the years, but always in the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder if they want to spend time with me or Her Royal Highness.”

“With any luck, you won’t have to worry about that here.” Levi stopped and looked around for a moment before continuing forward. “I forgot to ask you if you want help unpacking. I didn’t give the staff permission to do that in case you had anything in your luggage that would reveal your identity.”

“I already unpacked.”

Levi stopped again and stared, only this time his attention was on her. “You already unpacked four suitcases?”

“I’m well practiced.” Cassie had used the mundane chore to distract herself from the memories of the attack in Sereno. She didn’t bother to mention that she had also spent an hour setting up her office in the spare bedroom and reviewing the latest technical data on the proposed drilling platform off the coast of Sereno.

She noticed a stone bench beneath a trellis covered in ivy. “That looks like the perfect place to hide away from the world.”