Chapter 26 #2
“Will you need a gown for it?” Meredith watched as Kat applied a bit of mascara to her pale lashes.
Ever since the dinner party night, the queen had not mentioned Kat’s minimal use of the makeup products.
The skin care regime was already improving her complexion.
In due time, Kat might really turn out to be a beauty.
Not that looks were so important. After all, Kat had deeper and more lasting qualities to develop first.
Kat was already on her phone, texting Kalina. “Yes. I need a formal grown-up sort of gown. If Kalina can come to the ball, you can take both of us shopping together. Maybe we can go to Vienna to look.”
Meredith wasn’t too sure about that. Given Spencer’s earlier concern about security, Vienna seemed unlikely. As far as she could tell, no one was overly worried here in Rotslavia, but she had noticed plenty of guards posted about.
“Come to breakfast with us,” Kat pleaded. “It’ll just be Mishka and me and Grandmama since the rest are all gone now.”
“Does your grandmother expect you?” Meredith thought how pleasant a quiet breakfast with just her and the children would be.
“She said we’re to take all meals with her while Papa is gone.” Kat frowned. “It almost seems like she’s trying to keep us away from you, Meri.”
“She may have her reasons. I think it’s wise to prepare ourselves for the day she sends me on my way, Kat.”
“She can’t do that. Papa hired you. Not her.”
“She’s queen.”
Kat scowled.
Mishka poked his head in. “Meri, I need your help. It’s Nanny Bosko’s day off, and I can’t find my shoes.”
“I’m coming,” she told him.
Before long, they were all ready to go down to breakfast with the queen, but Meredith wondered just how welcome she would be.
Still, she held her head high and would take whatever was dealt to her.
But the queen received her well, and breakfast was surprisingly civil until the children were excused and Meredith was asked to remain.
“Meri has something to ask you about, Grandmama,” Kat said before leaving.
The queen nodded, and it was just the two of them. “What is it you want to ask of me, Miss Cardwell?”
“Princess Katerina told me of the birthday ball you are planning. She would like to invite her friend Kalina.”
She frowned. “Who is this Kalina? Do I know her?”
“She’s a classmate of the princess. They have become good friends. In fact, she is the only close friend of the princess. I’m sure you must agree that good social relationships are fundamental to a person’s maturity.”
“Tell the princess to send me this girl’s information, and if it seems fitting, she will be invited.”
“The princess will be disappointed if Kalina can’t come. It would be unfortunate to have the guest of honor unhappy to attend her own party, don’t you think?”
“I think you have no difficulty speaking your mind, Miss Cardwell.”
“It’s something I learned from my father at a young age.”
“I see.” The queen cleared her throat. “I have something else I wish to speak to you about.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t think it’s proper for you, a young single woman, to be living so near Prince Spencer and the children.
After all, Nanny Bosko is on hand for Prince George, and the princess is not so much in need of a nanny.
If you wish to continue being governess to Princess Katerina until she returns to her school, I would prefer you to move to other quarters. ”
The queen locked eyes with her. “Are you aware of the impending engagement of Prince Spencer to Lady Astrid?”
“Lady Astrid’s brother mentioned the possibility.” Meredith’s heart pounded.
“Then you can understand the need for you to move to other more appropriate quarters.” The queen softened. “It’s not that your help with the children is unappreciated.”
“I understand. I’ve been hoping to use my last days here to help the children adjust to the fact that I’ll be leaving.”
Her brows arched. “You are planning to leave?”
“It seems inevitable. I mentioned as much to the princess today.”
“Very good. I’m glad we have an understanding.” The queen stood, which was Meredith’s cue to respectfully do likewise. “Good day.”
As Meredith returned to the royal family’s quarters to gather the last of her things, she noticed a pair of servants coming out with her bags, but when she tried to ask, they shook their heads, saying in their native language they didn’t understand—a phrase she’d grown accustomed to—and continued on their way.
“Meri!” Mishka exclaimed as soon as she came into the living room. “Why are you leaving?”
She knelt and hugged him. “I’m not really leaving. I’m just moving to another room. Your grandmamma thinks it’s better.”
“In the castle?”
“Yes.” She stroked his hair. “No worries.”
“They took all your stuff,” Kat told her with a creased brow. “Except for your purse and a few things. But I don’t see why you have to move. We’re not too crowded here.”
“It’s for the best, Kat. Don’t worry about it.”
“You’re supposed to call this number.” Kat held out a slip of paper. “To find out where you’re staying.”
Meredith called and was informed someone was coming to take her to her new quarters. She hoped she wasn’t going down to the dungeon.
When the uniformed guard came to escort her to her new digs, the children insisted on accompanying her, one on each side like sentries.
Although she wasn’t really worried, it was reassuring to know the children were watching out for her.
Instead of going down the stairs, they went up…
and up. Was she going to be locked in some high tower?
She chuckled to herself. That was silly.
“I bet there’s a good view up here,” she said absently.
“A few of the servants live up here,” Kat said in a low tone.
“Why is Grandmama sending Meri up this high?” Mishka asked his sister.
The guard paused by a wooden door, unlocking it and opening it wide to expose a small cell-like room with a high window where dust motes were floating in the sunlight.
Meredith glanced around, taking in the single bed and a small wooden dresser.
Her luggage, hand-me-downs from the former princess, looked strangely out of place in here.
“This is wrong,” Kat proclaimed.
“Meri can’t stay here,” Mishka agreed.
“I’m going to speak to Grandmama,” Kat declared.
“No, no, please, don’t. It’ll be fine,” Meredith assured them in a slightly shaky tone.
“But by afternoon, it’ll be hot and stuffy,” Kat told her.
“I won’t be in here during the daytime,” she said. “Since I’m supposed to be looking after you two. Really, it’ll be okay. It’s only a place to sleep at night.” She thanked the guard and asked for the key. “And now I know where it is.”
With the key in hand, she and the children went out, and she locked the door. Certainly, it was an odd place to keep a governess, but she suspected the queen was hoping she’d hate it so much that she’d leave. Well, the queen didn’t know Meredith. If this was the game, she was willing to play.
The children still seemed upset about the horrible room after they went back down, but Meredith managed to reassure them it was going to be just fine.
“I’ve stayed in worse places,” she told them.
“I’m a lot tougher than you think.” She winked at Kat.
“Maybe this is my chance just to show how tough I am.” She didn’t want to mention anything about the queen’s possible motives, but she could tell by Kat’s expression she got it.
“And since it seems we have the day to ourselves for a change, we should have some fun. Let’s make it a good day. ”
And that is exactly what they did. By the end of the day, she and the children were tired and happy as they went down to dine with the queen.
Although Meredith hadn’t been officially invited to join them, the children insisted it was her duty as governess to accompany them, and she decided she’d play along, just to see the queen’s face.
It was no surprise that the table only had three places, but the queen wore a good poker face as she instructed a server to add one more.
“We had a lovely day,” Meredith said cheerfully as they waited for the queen to take her place at the head of the table. The children chimed in, telling about what they’d done and how much fun they’d had.
“I assume you are settled into your new quarters.” The queen’s eyes were fixed on Meredith.
“I am. Thank you for having my bags moved up there for me.” Meredith smiled.
The queen cleared her throat then turned her attention to Kat. “I have considered your request to have a classmate come for your birthday, but since I am inviting a few other young people for you to socialize with, I do not think it’s necessary to add one more.”
“But Grandmama.” Kat’s brow creased. “I already told Kalina about it, and she was excited to come.”
“No doubt. But don’t you think it was premature to extend an invitation without my consent?”
“I thought it was my birthday party.” Kat’s lower lip extended, and her eyes looked bright with tears.
“Yes, but I am the host,” the queen sternly reminded her.
“Then have a birthday party without me.” Kat scooted back her chair. “Excuse me, Your Majesty.” She ran from the room.
“Excuse me too.” Meredith stood, pausing to lock eyes with the queen. “Enjoy your dinner.”
“Excuse me too.” Mishka jumped up and grabbed Meredith’s hand in solidarity.
As they went up the stairs, not far behind Kat, Meredith felt fed up with the queen’s power trip game.
In fact, she decided since Spencer wasn’t even in the castle, let alone the country, she would move back down to the family’s quarters to be near the children.
After all, Nanny Bosko was a heavy sleeper, and for the most part not terribly attuned to the children overnight.
Anyway, hadn’t Spencer hired her to be with his children?
That is just what she planned to do, and when she told Kat and Mishka this news, they both cheered.