“What kind of trap would that be?” She knew she sounded coy, but she was trying to figure this man out. He was smart enough to discern their set up. He didn’t seem the type to play along intentionally, unless he wanted to.
He finished his brandy and stood. “I suppose we’ll have to wait and find out tomorrow. Who knows what goes on in the minds of my children?” He made a stiff sounding laugh. “It’s late. I should say goodnight.”
“Yes.” She set down her barely touched glass. “Thank you for a memorable evening.” She smiled nervously. “I felt like I was playing a part in the movie. I’m sure I will always remember it.”Then she turned and hurried to her room where Kat was still pretending to sleep.
With no intention of calling Kat’s bluff, Meredith slipped into the bathroom where she quickly got ready for bed. She stretched her arm behind her to unzip her dress, and as she hung it on its hanger, she wondered if the magic of the evening would vanish at the stroke of midnight.
But that was still a ways off, and she didn’t plan to stand around and watch.
When morning came, Spencer was occupied with something in his office, and Geoff had ordered room service for Meredith and the children. “Master Hawthorne has decided it’s best for us to leave for Rotslavia sooner than planned. He wants the children to be ready to leave directly after breakfast.”
Kat and Mishka exchanged glances but didn’t argue. Meredith tried to make pleasant small talk as they ate. After they finished, she sent the children to pack their bags, and after they left, Geoff presented a packet to Meredith.
“Everything you’ll need for the remainder of your travels.” He explained about the month-long Eurail pass, open ended one-way plane ticket, and a few other perks he’d gotten from the concierge downstairs. Meredith tried to appear genuinely grateful as she thanked him, but at the same time she was blinking back tears.
By the time she went to pack her bags, Kat was finishing up. Judging by Kat’s determined expression, she still had some kind of trick up her sleeve, but Meredith couldn’t imagine what. Feeling sad and frustrated, she packed her bags. Really, she should be glad. She was all set for the trip she’d always dreamedof. A month of exploring Europe. What could be better? It was ridiculous to think there was any other way from this strangely unfolding story to end for her. After all, she wasn’t living in a fairy tale. With her bags packed and travel clothes on, she braced herself for saying goodbye. She decided that if they weren’t already on their way out, she would be the first to say goodbye. That might make it easier for them.
But only Kat and Mishka were in the living room, sitting on the couch with somewhat forlorn expressions. For their sake, she forced a bright smile.
“Well, I don’t even know what to say to you two. I have truly enjoyed your company the past month. I’m going to miss you both. I hope you’ll stay in touch. You have my phone number, Kat. Feel free to call or text me whenever you like. And Mishka, you have that little card I gave you with my address in the States. I won’t be there right away, but I hope we can be pen-pals when I do get there. It’ll be good writing practice, and I’ll enjoy hearing how you’re doing.” She held her arms open. “How about hugs?”
Mishka ran straight into her arms. “You can’t leave us, Meri. That’s not how this is supposed to happen.” He sobbed within her embrace. “I love you.”
“Oh, Mishka.” She stroked his hair. “I love you too. But it’s time to say goodbye.”
“No,” Kat declared. “We want you to go home with us, Meri.”
“But you have your old nanny—I mean governess,” she corrected. “And it’s time for me to go my own way.”
“Do youwantto leave us?” Mishka asked with tearful eyes.
“Not exactly. But sometimes we have to do things we don’t like.”
“You don’t have to go,” Kat insisted. “Make Papa understand.”
“Make Papa understand what?” Spencer came into the room. “What’s going on here?”
“We want to take Meri home with us,” Mishka told him.
“Yes, Papa,” Kat stood up to him. “We have decided that Nanny Bosko is too old to take really good care of us. She can’t be there all the time. We need Meri to be there too. We insist you must bring her back to Rotslavia.” She took her royal stance now, locking eyes with her father.
“This feels like a royal revolt,” he joked.
“We have the right to make our opinions known,” Kat sternly replied. “Don’t forget, IamPrincess Katerina, and I do have royal rights…including the right to be respected.”
“That’s true enough. But don’t forget your grandmother is queen. She gets the final say on something like this.”
“Grandmama wants us to be happy,” Mishka declared. “She always says that to me. And Meri makes me happy.”
“He’s right. Grandmama does want us to be happy. And we will not be happy unless you bring Meri home with us.”
“What about Meri—uh, Meredith? Doesn’t she have a say? What if she refuses? Then what am I to do? Kidnap her?” He helplessly held up his hands.
“Meri loves us,” Mishka argued. “She wantsto be with us.”
“I thought Meredith was eager to tour western Europe.”
“Why don’t you ask her?” Kat demanded. “She has a right to speak too.”
