“Yes,” the woman said. “Are you?”
Meredith nodded, exercising caution about sharing too much information. Not just because of her Vienna experience but for the sake of the children too. Caring for these two out in public felt a bit like guarding a royal treasure.
“I noticed a British accent,” the woman glanced at Mishka.
“The children do have a British connection.” She decided to be evasive. “What part of America are you from?”
“Iowa,” the woman said. “This European trip is to celebrate our fortieth anniversary. Four weeks to see it all.”
“Sounds like fun. Congratulations.” Meredith smiled politely and to keep the woman from questioning her further, got her talking about her and her husband’s print shop business. When the woman excused herself, Meredith turned away and focused on Mishka. Perhaps she was being hyper protective or evenrude, but she preferred caution over regret. She glanced at the food area, concerned about Kat being out of sight. But then she spotted her, efficiently carrying a tray of drinks as well as a small white bag.
“I got us treats too,” Kat said as Meredith took the beverage tray from her.
“How thoughtful.” Meredith smiled. “Thank you, Kat.”
Soon they were enjoying their drinks and pastries and admiring the scenery all around them. Before long, they began to peel off jackets and enjoy the warm sunshine. The guide, with the help of a loudspeaker, pointed out various sights, vineyards, forests, abbeys, and castles while telling bits and pieces of interesting history. Meredith wasn’t sure that Kat appreciated it, but Mishka was eating it up.
After a couple of hours, Mishka was comfortable enough to leave Meredith and walk with Kat over to the nearby railing to look down at the water. Progress!
The boat docked at a family-owned vineyard for lunch and Meredith let Kat take the lead in choosing their table. As they were seated, Meredith could tell that people assumed she was their mother. While she didn’t mind their assumption, she would have to have been a teenaged mother to have a twelve-year-old. But she still felt flattered and probably even played along with it. As a child, she’d always imagined herself being married with children by this age. But childhood dreams and reality didn’t always line up.
As they were getting back aboard the boat after lunch, a blonde girl about Kat’s age began trailing them a little too closely. Meredith glanced curiously at Kat then tipped her head toward the girl, as if to ask if she knew her, and Kat rolled her eyes. “From my school.”
“Oh?” Meredith smiled then spoke quietly. “Did you say hello to her?”
“No.” With a sour expression, she turned up her nose.
Meredith knew better than to push Kat but wished the girl would be more congenial. Mishka ran ahead to secure their previous seats on the boat’s front deck, but they’d barely sat down when the blonde girl sat next to Kat. With arms folded in front, Kat turned toward Meredith with a dark scowl. Knowing it was useless to reprimand Kat for her rudeness, she decided to reach out to the girl.
“I hear you go to Kat’s school,” she spoke over Kat’s head, which was probably making Miss Congeniality even madder. “Are you traveling with someone?”
“Just my parents.” She motioned toward the bar where a number of adults were ordering their adult beverages.
“I’m Meredith.” She used her schoolteacher tone. “What’s your name?”
“Kalina.” The girl gave her a slightly devious smile. “What’s wrong with thequeen?”
“The queen?” Meredith lowered her voice. “Are you referring to Queen Katerina in Rotslavia?” She was on her guard now. “As far as I know, she is fine.”
“No.” The cheeky girl snickered. “I mean the queen right here. I guess she doesn’t know how to talk to her friends.”
“She can talk just fine…with herfriends.” Meredith wanted to add that Kalina obviously was not one of Kat’s friends but remembered the talk she’d recently given Kat. “But I suspect she doesn’t feel overly friendly to someone who calls her the queen.”
Kalina rolled her eyes in a way that almost put Kat’s expressions to shame then shrugged. Meredith glanced at Kat, whose face looked stony, then turned back to Kalina. “But I am curious why you feel entitled to call Princess Katerina the queen. Apparently, you feel it’s permissible to address royalty with such disdain. Or perhaps you’re not a citizen of Rotslavia.” She noticed a middle-aged pair approaching with wine glasses and,judging by their expressions, probably Kalina’s parents. “Is this a custom your mother and father have embraced?” She smiled at the couple, now taking the seats next to Kalina. “I assume you’re Kalina’s parents?”
The couple casually confirmed this and in somewhat broken English introduced themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Nemitz, clearly making their daughter quite uncomfortable and drawing Kat’s full attention at what promised to be an interesting scene. Acting nonchalant, Meredith introduced herself, enjoying Kalina’s obvious discomfort. “You may already know that your daughter is a classmate of Princess Katerina.” She indicated Kat. “And I am honored to be governess to the princess and her brother, Prince George.” She nodded to Mishka, sitting on her other side.
Mrs. Nemitz’s brows arched. “Princess Katerina? Oh, my! And Prince George too.” She politely tipped her head in something of a bow toward Kat. “We’re honored to meet you, Princess Katerina.”
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Kat replied in a tone that would probably make her grandmama proud.
“What a pleasant surprise,” Mr. Nemitz said in better English, but with widened eyes. “Imagine, traveling with royalty. It’s an honor.” He frowned slightly at his daughter. “You did not tell us one of your classmates was the princess of Rotslavia.”
Kalina replied quickly in what Meredith assumed was their native Slavic language, since it was unintelligible. This was followed by what sounded like a stern albeit quiet Slavic reprimand from her father and a glaring frown from her mother. Meanwhile, Kat appeared to be suppressing laughter.
Meredith turned to Kat. “I don’t know about you, but I’d love a cup of tea.”
“Yes, I would too.” Kat stood, looking eager to escape. “I can get it.”
