A Royal Holiday (Royals of Valleria #5) by Marianne Knightly

you’re the baby of the family, kid,” Nate said, using a nickname Ethan clearly didn’t like by the look on his face.
     
    “Just because I’m the youngest in the family doesn’t mean I’m a child. I’m a doctor in the Navy for fuck’s sake.”
     
    “Language, Ethan,” Genevieve said, though she said it with a softer voice than she’d used a few moments ago with Lorenzo, while scolding him for the same thing.
     
    “Mama.”
     
    “Don’t ‘Mama’ me, Ethan Robert Louis Santoro di Valleria.” All of the siblings, not just Ethan, winced at the use of his full name. No one wanted to be ‘full-named’ by their mother.
     
    “We’re all very proud of your accomplishments, but that doesn’t give you the right to be crude at the dinner table.”
     
    “Yes, Mama,” Ethan said sullenly.
     
    “Good. Now then,” Genevieve said turning to Charlie. “Did you make this, Charlotte? It’s absolutely divine.” A chorus of agreement sounded from around the table.
     
    Charlie blushed and Nate’s hand squeezed her shoulder in support. “I did, and thank you for the compliment.”
     
    “How are the preparations for the ball coming?” Sarah asked Charlie. “Will you be making tiramisu for that, too?”
     
    Charlie shook her head. “No, there’s a little different setup to the ball this year, since it’s also an engagement party. No sit down dinner. Just buffet tables, drinks, and dancing, so I’m making a lot of smaller desserts.”
     
    “You’re making too much,” Nate said. “How many desserts have you selected thus far?”
     
    Charlie bristled in her seat. “Only about ten, but there’s a separate buffet table for desserts only. It needs to have a wide variety.”
     
    Nate kissed her temple. “Of course it does.”
     
    “Don’t talk to me like that.”
     
    Nate’s eyebrows shifted upward. “Like what?”
     
    “Like I’m a child you’re indulging. My job is important.”
     
    “Of course it is,” Nate said as his face fell to somber and he tugged her against him. “It’s very important. I didn’t mean it like that.”
     
    “Maybe not, but that’s how it sounded.”
     
    He brushed his knuckles against her cheek. “I just think you’re working too hard, Charlotte-mine.”
     
    “I appreciate you looking out for me, but I’ll be fine.” Charlie glanced over at Alex. “I don’t suppose you could find something to distract Nate for a while? He shouldn’t go back to work full-time, but I’m sure he could do something besides obsess about my workload all day.”
     
    “I’m not obsessing,” Nate muttered.
     
    “You are,” Charlie said and gave him a quick kiss. “I usually don’t mind it.”
     
    Nate sighed and turned to Alex. “I suppose I could start transitioning back to my duties.”
     
    Alex chuckled. “I’ll say you will. Come find me in the morning.”
     
    Nate looked at Charlie again. “Do you mind a little more obsession for tonight?”
     
    Charlie smiled. “I suppose I could put up with it.” Nate smiled back and kept her chair, and her body, flush against his.
     
    “Shall we retire to the sitting room again? I thought coffee might be better near the fire,” Genevieve proposed.
     
    Marcello shot Alex a glance. “Actually, Mama, I think it’s better if we split up tonight,” Alex said.
     
    Genevieve gave him an appraising look. “That’s fine. Ladies, why don’t we meet in my sitting room then, and I’ll have some tea brought around instead. We can finalize our outfits for the ball.”
     
    “Gentlemen,” Gabriel said. “Let’s meet in my study for a few moments.”
     
    “What’s going on?” Alex asked Marcello when the room had emptied but for them.
     
    “It’s Portia.”
     
    Alex’s jaw clenched. “What now?”
     
    “She’s here.”
     
    “That’s not news. You already told me she was in Valentia.”
     
    “I mean that she’s here, in the palace.”
     
    “How the fuck did she get into the palace? What is