“Does she live anywhere near your home in Rotslavia? Near the palace?”
“No. She lives about thirty minutes away in a farming community.”
“That’s not so far. Maybe she could come visit you sometimes. Have you ever had friends at the palace?”
Kat looked up with wide eyes. “No. I…I’m not sure Grandmama would approve.”
Meredith frowned. “Why not?”
“I don’t know for sure. But she’s kind of protective of us.” Kat wrinkled her nose. “As in overprotective. She treats me like a child.” Her mouth twisted to one side. “Yet she keeps expecting me to act like an adult.”
“That sounds a little confusing.”
“You’re telling me.” Eye roll.
Meredith smiled. “Well, I think a lot of parents, probably grandparents too, get a little flustered when kids are adolescents. It’s probably more complicated for a royal family.”
“Everythingis more complicated for a royal family.” She tossed down her phone. “That’s one reason I like being at the villa for summer holiday. It’s like we can forget all that for a while.”
“That makes sense. I’m sorry your holiday at the villa was cut short. We were having such a nice time.”
“Grandmama must have her way.” Kat pounded a pillow then looked up. “Meredith, why don’t you come to the palace with us? You’d be better than old Mrs. Bosko.”
“But she sounds nice.”
“She’s old. And Grandmama keeps her under her thumb.”
“Ah-hah.” Meredith grinned. “And you think Queen Katerina wouldn’t keepmeunder her thumb?”
Kat seemed to consider this. “I don’t think she could. I’ve seen you stand up to Papa. And you’re an independent American. I’ll bet you could stand up to Grandmama.”
Meredith suddenly imagined the Queen of Hearts fromAlice in Wonderland, screaming “off with her head” and wondered how she’d fare. It was such a silly image, she couldn’t help but giggle.
“What is it?” Kat demanded. “What’s so funny?”
Meredith, who was laughing harder now, described the crazy image and soon they were in stitches.
“What’s going on in there?” Spencer called out. “A slumber party in the middle of the afternoon?”
“Just unpacking,” Meredith called back. “And laughing.”
“Well, the menfolk are raring to go. George claims he has a date with you for the Giant Ferris Wheel.”
Meredith opened the door. “That’s right. He does.”
“Then let’s get going. Geoff made us a reservation for an early dinner, and then we’ll head for the big wheel.”
“I wonder if we’ll need light jackets or sweaters.” Meredith held up a cardigan she’d brought along. “For later when we’re on the Ferris Wheel.”
“Good thought,” Spencer agreed. “It can get breezy up there.”
As the others gathered some warmer outer-clothes, Geoff came over to talk to Meredith. “The master asked me to secureyour Eurail train pass and airline ticket, miss. But I will need your passport information to do that.”
“It can wait until tomorrow, Geoff.” Spencer was herding the children to the door. “We need to be on our way.”
“Right, sir,” Geoff said. “The car is waiting in front.”
“Off we go,” Spencer said cheerfully.
