Chapter 22
Kat’s plan to have Meredith take her old room so she could upgrade to the royal princess suite quickly blew up into a puff of smoke when a servant informed Meredith she would most likely be occupying a room in the servants’ quarters on the top floor.
But in the end, Meredith was shown to a room off the family quarters.
Before the dinner hour, wearing the midnight blue dress she’d brought from the villa, she knocked on Kat’s bedroom door to make sure it was appropriate. She was at Kat’s mercy when it came to dressing decisions, not to mention mentally preparing herself for dinner with the queen.
“You look fine,” Kat told her. “Don’t worry so much.”
“Okay.” Meredith nodded. “Thank you.”
“We can go down together with Mishka. Solidarity.”
“I appreciate it.” She smoothed the dress, wondering if she should’ve asked for an iron to steam it, but her room, while nice, had been rather sparse.
Mishka, dressed in dark gray trousers and a light blue shirt, was waiting for them in the living room.
“You’re looking dapper,” she told him.
“Nanny Bosko picked it out,” he whispered to her.
“Will she join us for dinner tonight?”
“No, she eats in her room,” Kat said.
“Oh, I see. I’d like to meet her.”
“You will.” Mishka took her hand. “Tomorrow.”
Meredith took a deep breath as they went down the stairs. Really, why should she be so nervous? Even if the queen kicked her out, she would have all of western Europe to tour. Yet…something in her wanted to meet the queen’s high expectations. Was that nuts?
“If you forget which one is the seafood fork, just watch me,” Kat said quietly.
“And put your napkin in your lap when Grandmama does,” Mishka added.
“You’ll be fine,” Kat assured her.
“Do you like your room?” Mishka asked with a furrowed brow.
“It’s perfectly fine,” she told him as they approached the royal dining room. “Really, it’s quite nice.” She had no intention of complaining.
Other than two servants busying themselves with the table, no one was in the dining room.
Following Kat’s direction, Meredith took the seat next to Mishka.
She hoped it was the right one. She smiled at Mishka and winked as Kat sat across from her, which made Kat smile.
Shortly thereafter, Spencer entered the room with the queen on his arm.
He escorted her to the head of the table, helped her into her chair, then took the chair at the other side.
The queen dipped her head to a server, and as he was about to serve, Mishka spoke up. “Meredith always asks a blessing first,” he said.
The queen’s dark brows arched.
He repeated himself. “She asks God to bless our food and the ones that prepared it.”
Meredith smiled, grateful that he’d actually gotten it.
“Miss Cardwell,” the queen said, tipping her head toward Meredith. “By all means, go ahead.”
Despite the frosty invitation, Meredith did her best. As dinner was served, she decided to relax and let the chips fall where they may.
Really, what was the worst that could happen?
But it was disheartening to see Spencer changing, catering to the queen’s whims and becoming less of a person than Meredith knew he could be.
Why did he do that? Of course, the children were different too.
More proper. In a way, it was nice. In another way, it was disturbing.
She wanted them to be themselves. Just children!
Spencer’s attempt at small talk, which was admirable but sad, included him explaining how the children had enjoyed sports in Austria and how Meredith was good at helping them.
“Athletics are fine for some people, but I doubt they play a role in real life,” the queen stated.
“I disagree,” Meredith said, but seeing everyone staring at her, she wished she hadn’t.
“How so?” the queen asked in an icy tone.
Meredith silently prayed for help. “I think we learn a lot about life through sports. Whether it’s attaining self-confidence or learning to be a gracious loser, sports teach good lessons.”
The queen stared at her for a long moment. “Perhaps you have a point.”
Spencer took this an opening and began to sing Meredith’s praises with his children, explaining how Prince George had learned to swim, and Princess Katerina had become quite accomplished at tennis and football.
“In such a short time too,” he finished, looking directly at Meredith which seem like affection.
“She’s really been quite brilliant with the children. ”
“She has,” Mishka chimed in. “And she likes hearing about animals and is good at bedtime too.”
“And she’s a good listener,” Kat added.
“Well.” Queen Katerina set down her fork. “It seems you are all enchanted by our American governess.” Her eyes narrowed, ever so slightly, at Meredith. “I am suitably impressed and anxious to hear more.” She pointed at Meredith’s dress. “Do I recognize that garment?”
Meredith looked down at the expensive dress that once belonged to Princess Anastasia.
“It’s possible you do recall it.” She clumsily attempted to explain how Mrs. Warner had convinced her to use the princess’s wardrobe, which had been about to be donated, and how her own bags had been stolen in Vienna.
The queen looked skeptical as she waved for coffee and dessert. “How convenient for you.”
Meredith’s heart sank. The conversation was over.
And although the strudel with cream was probably delicious, it tasted like cardboard to her.
As soon as it was graciously possible, she excused herself from the table—after exchanging apologetic looks with the children.
Really, this was out of her hands. And she was just plain tired.
She ran up the stairs, anxious to get into her small room, which was probably much nicer than the hostels she might’ve been staying in if she were touring Europe on her original plan. Mostly, she was thankful for the quietness…and privacy.
She got ready for bed, and after praying for mercy, she was almost asleep when a tapping sound on her door roused her.
Imagining it was Mishka or Kat, she opened it.
But it was Spencer. Embarrassed that she only had on a thin cotton nightgown, she grabbed a cardigan and asked if the children were okay.
“They’re fine. I helped them get to bed.” He smiled. “And it was rather nice.”
“Good to hear.” She made a forced smile.
“I was worried about you. I promised the children I’d check on you.”
“Oh. Well, you checked. I’m fine.” She started to close the door.
“I was hoping to talk with you.”
“About?”
“Will you come out?” He glanced at her room. “It wouldn’t be proper to come in here.”
“Yes. Of course.” She stepped out. “I forgot I’m just a servant and you are a prince.”
“That’s not it.” He shook his head. “It’s just that the palace has eyes…and mouths. Let’s not give them reason to talk.”
“Right.” She closed her door and went into the narrow hallway.
“Follow me.”
Feeling a bit suspicious but not overly concerned, she followed until they came to an open room with several chairs as well as views out over the snowcapped mountains where a full moon was illuminating the surroundings.
“Oh my,” she exclaimed when she saw the magical scene. “That’s absolutely beautiful.”
He waved to a pair of chairs, and she sat down. “You did just fine during dinner. We all thought so.”
She frowned. “Including the queen?”
“Well, perhaps not.”
She sighed. “I didn’t think so.”
“You need to understand the queen has her own agenda.”
“Okay. What would that agenda be?”
“To do what’s best for the country.”
“I understand. And I don’t blame her.”
“She doesn’t see you as part of that agenda.” He leaned forward, his hands laying limply across his knees.
“I’m not surprised. Does this mean I need to go? I figured it could happen.”
“No.” He sat up straight. “No one wants you to go.”
“All right. But I feel like I’m walking on pins and needles.” She gazed intently at him.
“I understand.”
“I care about your children—” Her voice cracked. “I really do. But it’s hard. I don’t know what to do.”
He leaped up from his chair and knelt by her, grabbing both her hands.
“And they care about you. We all do. We don’t know what to do either.
But we don’t want you to give up.” They both turned to a shuffling sound, but when nothing came of it, he continued.
“Please, don’t give up, Meredith. We need you. ”
She looked into his eyes, dimly lit in the moonlight, and felt herself melting. “I’ll do my best, Spencer. I care about the children…and you too.”
Just like that, he leaned forward and kissed her. And maybe it was just her, or maybe it was the silvery moonlight, but it was magical.