Chapter 20
When they got to the hotel suite, all was quiet and tidied up in the living room.
Even the gas fireplace was burning, and someone had set a tray with a bottle of brandy and two glasses on the coffee table next to the sofa.
Meredith was curious about that, but seeing Spencer pacing nervously, she sensed something else troubled him.
“Are you worried about the children?” she said quietly.
He gave an apologetic nod toward their end of the suite, so she offered to check on them.
She found both in their beds and, although Mishka seemed to be soundly sleeping, Meredith could tell Kat was faking, but she went out to report their safety just the same.
Spencer looked relieved as he sat down on the sofa.
“Care for a nightcap?” He held up the brandy bottle with a crooked smile. “Someone seems to have left this out for us.”
She shrugged. “Why not?” As she sat on the sofa, she appreciated any excuse to extend this magical evening. With her apprehension about saying goodbyes tomorrow, she wondered if she’d even be able to sleep much anyway. A nightcap might help.
“Do you think Geoff set this out?” she asked as he handed her a glass with coppery liquid.
“It’s not really his style.” Spencer sniffed his glass.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but I don’t think Kat was actually asleep. She doesn’t usually go to sleep this early, but it’s not like her to pretend.”
“Kat’s been acting rather mysterious lately.” He took a sip then smiled. “I wonder if she may be behind all this.”
“Behind what?” Meredith was curious if his take aligned with her own growing suspicions.
“It’s odd. Almost as if the children have joined forces to get us together. The Ferris wheel, a few random things today, and dinner with just the two of us tonight… It’s just, well, rather interesting.”
“But why are they doing that?” She studied him closely, trying to gauge his reaction to what seemed a clear case of juvenile matchmaking.
Spencer frowned then fixed his eyes on her. “It’s no secret the children are quite reluctant to part ways with you, Meredith. It’s possible they are trying to set some kind of trap to keep you around a bit longer.”
“What kind of trap would that be?” She knew she sounded coy, but she was trying to figure this man out. He was smart enough to discern their set up. He didn’t seem the type to play along intentionally, unless he wanted to.
He finished his brandy and stood. “I suppose we’ll have to wait and find out tomorrow. Who knows what goes on in the minds of my children?” He made a stiff sounding laugh. “It’s late. I should say goodnight.”
“Yes.” She set down her barely touched glass. “Thank you for a memorable evening.” She smiled nervously. “I felt like I was playing a part in the movie. I’m sure I will always remember it.” Then she turned and hurried to her room where Kat was still pretending to sleep.
With no intention of calling Kat’s bluff, Meredith slipped into the bathroom where she quickly got ready for bed. She stretched her arm behind her to unzip her dress, and as she hung it on its hanger, she wondered if the magic of the evening would vanish at the stroke of midnight.
But that was still a ways off, and she didn’t plan to stand around and watch.
When morning came, Spencer was occupied with something in his office, and Geoff had ordered room service for Meredith and the children. “Master Hawthorne has decided it’s best for us to leave for Rotslavia sooner than planned. He wants the children to be ready to leave directly after breakfast.”
Kat and Mishka exchanged glances but didn’t argue. Meredith tried to make pleasant small talk as they ate. After they finished, she sent the children to pack their bags, and after they left, Geoff presented a packet to Meredith.
“Everything you’ll need for the remainder of your travels.
” He explained about the month-long Eurail pass, open ended one-way plane ticket, and a few other perks he’d gotten from the concierge downstairs.
Meredith tried to appear genuinely grateful as she thanked him, but at the same time she was blinking back tears.
By the time she went to pack her bags, Kat was finishing up.
Judging by Kat’s determined expression, she still had some kind of trick up her sleeve, but Meredith couldn’t imagine what.
Feeling sad and frustrated, she packed her bags.
Really, she should be glad. She was all set for the trip she’d always dreamed of.
A month of exploring Europe. What could be better?
It was ridiculous to think there was any other way from this strangely unfolding story to end for her.
After all, she wasn’t living in a fairy tale.
With her bags packed and travel clothes on, she braced herself for saying goodbye.
She decided that if they weren’t already on their way out, she would be the first to say goodbye. That might make it easier for them.
But only Kat and Mishka were in the living room, sitting on the couch with somewhat forlorn expressions. For their sake, she forced a bright smile.
“Well, I don’t even know what to say to you two.
I have truly enjoyed your company the past month.
I’m going to miss you both. I hope you’ll stay in touch.
You have my phone number, Kat. Feel free to call or text me whenever you like.
And Mishka, you have that little card I gave you with my address in the States.
I won’t be there right away, but I hope we can be pen-pals when I do get there.
It’ll be good writing practice, and I’ll enjoy hearing how you’re doing.
” She held her arms open. “How about hugs?”
Mishka ran straight into her arms. “You can’t leave us, Meri. That’s not how this is supposed to happen.” He sobbed within her embrace. “I love you.”
“Oh, Mishka.” She stroked his hair. “I love you too. But it’s time to say goodbye.”
“No,” Kat declared. “We want you to go home with us, Meri.”
“But you have your old nanny—I mean governess,” she corrected. “And it’s time for me to go my own way.”
“Do you want to leave us?” Mishka asked with tearful eyes.
“Not exactly. But sometimes we have to do things we don’t like.”
“You don’t have to go,” Kat insisted. “Make Papa understand.”
“Make Papa understand what?” Spencer came into the room. “What’s going on here?”
“We want to take Meri home with us,” Mishka told him.
“Yes, Papa,” Kat stood up to him. “We have decided that Nanny Bosko is too old to take really good care of us. She can’t be there all the time. We need Meri to be there too. We insist you must bring her back to Rotslavia.” She took her royal stance now, locking eyes with her father.
“This feels like a royal revolt,” he joked.
“We have the right to make our opinions known,” Kat sternly replied. “Don’t forget, I am Princess Katerina, and I do have royal rights…including the right to be respected.”
“That’s true enough. But don’t forget your grandmother is queen. She gets the final say on something like this.”
“Grandmama wants us to be happy,” Mishka declared. “She always says that to me. And Meri makes me happy.”
“He’s right. Grandmama does want us to be happy. And we will not be happy unless you bring Meri home with us.”
“What about Meri—uh, Meredith? Doesn’t she have a say? What if she refuses? Then what am I to do? Kidnap her?” He helplessly held up his hands.
“Meri loves us,” Mishka argued. “She wants to be with us.”
“I thought Meredith was eager to tour western Europe.”
“Why don’t you ask her?” Kat demanded. “She has a right to speak too.”
All attention turned to Meredith, and she didn’t know what to say. “I’m honored that you, uh, want me—”
“Please, say yes, Meri.” Mishka grabbed her hand, looking up with intent dark eyes. “Please, come home with us. Keep being our nanny. Please!”
“Governess,” Kat corrected. “Nanny Bosko can be the nanny. Meri will be our governess.”
Spencer blinked. “You seem to have this all figured out, Princess Katerina.”
“I’ve given it some thought.” Kat turned to Meredith. “Will you do it, Meri? Come home with us?”
Meredith looked into Kat’s eyes, seeing the longing there…and maybe something more. Was it hope? She knew Kat had been lonely. Perhaps she saw Meredith more as a friend than a governess. Perhaps it didn’t matter. She placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“If your father and grandmother agree this is a good idea, I’m happy to go home with you.” She exchanged a desperate glance with Spencer. “Even if just for a season.”
His expression was a mixture of relief and concern. “Yes, perhaps that’s a sensible plan. For a season. See how it goes. See what Grandmama says.”
The children both hugged and thanked him, and Meredith was speechless.
Had she really just agreed to this? What on earth was she getting herself into?
But she remembered her father’s encouragement to take risks and be adventurous.
Well, this certainly felt adventurous. Spencer was already instructing Geoff to get a visitor’s visa for her as well as a few other instructions she couldn’t understand.
And then, just like that, they were on their way—to Rotslavia!