One or all of them was complicit in whatever was happening in her kingdom. They needed to cease treating her like a child because she was an adult and the only person capable of ruling if what her brother had written was true.
“Are you sure Leo and I won’t stand out among the other residents and visitors?” Isabella asked.
Isabella and Leo had donned casual clothes. Dylan had dressed in smart casual, not wanting to detract from Allegra’s more regal appearance. It was best if he faded into the background and let the council underestimate him. Let them think he was only after her money and position, a man seeking a good time and gleeful at his luck in meeting the princess.
As if.
Allegra knew the truth. They mightn’t have known each other long, but she trusted him. That belief went a lot further than that she held for her council. She snorted and shook her head.
This plan would work because the council members were snobs. They saw what they wanted to see. So, she’d give them a show and make them think they’d won, or at least confuse them.
Leopold Adler’s sons were a problem, but Isabella had feelers out to learn if they were still in the region or had moved on to their next job.
The plane landed and taxied before coming to a halt. Isabella spoke briefly with the pilot before they exited and strode to the terminal. Dylan held the door open for her, a smile on his face and doing a slight bow. “Your Highness.”
Allegra barely repressed the sensual shiver that tried to bolt through her and throw off her concentration. She’d miss him so much when he returned to Middlemarch. Allegra pushed that truth aside to focus. She swept through the doorway, spotted a man in a uniform behind a counter, and strode toward him.
“Princess Allegra,” the man stuttered, “I thought you were sick, not expected to recover.”
Allegra noted his name badge. He wore the official uniform of the border patrol agents but was young. She’d bet this post only had senior staff present when they expected an important visitor. Noticing the tense atmosphere and his shock, she asked, “Andrew, why would you assume that?”
“T-the council made an announcement two days ago. They stated that the royal physicians had been attending to you but were uncertain of the ailment, and we should prepare for bad news.”
“Who gave the announcement?” Allegra asked, keeping her smile gentle when she wanted to growl out her frustration. By leaving, she’d played right into their hands.
“Mr. Andersson and Mrs. Van der Meer. They appeared agitated. Everyone was upset, especially since your parents died—” He broke off abruptly, his face flushing.
“Was the entire council present during the announcement?” Allegra asked.
“Everyone was there except Ms. Rossi and Mr. Lindström,” the young man said.
“Thank you,” Allegra said. “Could you do me a favor, Andrew?”
“Anything, Princess Allegra.” A faint pink tinged the tops of his ears.
Allegra smiled at him again. “Please don’t tell anyone I’m here. I’m afraid something is wrong, and my friends and I need to fix this problem before it’s too late. Could you do that for me?”
“Yes.” Andrew straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin. “Anything else?”
Allegra arched a brow, silently communicating with Dylan, Isabella, and Leo.
Isabella stepped forward and handed Andrew a business card. “If you don’t hear on the news that Princess Allegra is better and is making changes, call this number and tell them everything.”
Andrew swallowed. “H-how long should I wait?”
“Five days,” Isabella said without hesitation.
“Five days,” Andrew repeated, placing the card in his jacket pocket.
Allegra nodded. “Thank you, Andrew.”
The quartet hailed a cab and proceeded to the chateau.
“Let’s walk the rest of the way,” Isabella suggested.
“Good idea. We should also check on the number of soldiers and any security measures that have changed during my absence,” Allegra said.
Allegra led the other three along cobblestone streets and narrow lanes, past shops with bay windows and vendors selling their wares directly from carts. A man pushing a cart trundled toward them, a smile wreathing his grizzled, wrinkled face, but no recognition lit his eyes.
