All attention turned to Meredith, and she didn’t know what to say. “I’m honored that you, uh, want me—”
“Please, say yes, Meri.” Mishka grabbed her hand, looking up with intent dark eyes. “Please, come home with us. Keep being our nanny.Please!”
“Governess,” Kat corrected. “Nanny Bosko can be the nanny. Meri will be our governess.”
Spencer blinked. “You seem to have this all figured out, Princess Katerina.”
“I’ve given it some thought.” Kat turned to Meredith. “Will you do it, Meri? Come home with us?”
Meredith looked into Kat’s eyes, seeing the longing there…and maybe something more. Was it hope? She knew Kat had been lonely. Perhaps she saw Meredith more as a friend than a governess. Perhaps it didn’t matter. She placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“If your father and grandmother agree this is a good idea, I’m happy to go home with you.” She exchanged a desperate glance with Spencer. “Even if just for a season.”
His expression was a mixture of relief and concern. “Yes, perhaps that’s a sensible plan.For a season.See how it goes. See what Grandmama says.”
The children both hugged and thanked him, and Meredith was speechless. Had she really just agreed to this? What on earth was she getting herself into? But she remembered her father’s encouragement to take risks and be adventurous. Well, this certainly felt adventurous. Spencer was already instructing Geoff to get a visitor’s visa for her as well as a few other instructions she couldn’t understand. And then, just like that, they were on their way—to Rotslavia!
21
They’d been traveling for almost three hours and had just crossed the border into Rotslavia, which looked similar to eastern Austria with its mountainous terrain, when Kat asked her father if he’d informed the queen of their plans.
“She knows what time we’ll arrive,” he said without looking up from his iPad.
“Does she know about Meri?” Mishka asked.
He cleared his throat and looked up. “Not yet.”
“Oh?” Kat frowned. “Did you plan to inform her?”
“I’m leaving that to you, Princess.” Spencer winked at his daughter. “After all, this is your plan. Yours and your brother’s.”
“Fine. I’ll go directly to her when we arrive.”
“Fine.” He looked back down at his iPad.
“How far is it?” Meredith asked.
“About ten more minutes until we reach the village,” Spencer reported.
“The village?”
“The palace is surrounded by the village of Rotgrad, established in 1503,” Kat explained. “Population 2,188, give ortake. It’s the largest town in Rotslavia.” She pointed out the side window. “These agricultural properties are located outside of the village but provide food for Rotgrad shops as well as the palace.”
“Charming.”
“We strive for national self-sufficiency. Our goal is not to be dependent on neighboring countries. Particularly for oil, gas, or diesel. We have been transitioning to electric vehicles for the past decade.” Kat continued to spout information almost as if reading from a reference book. Meredith appreciated it. She knew so little about this tiny nation.
“I’m impressed with how well you know your country,” Meredith said after she paused. “But I assume that’s necessary if you are to lead Rotslavia someday.”
“Now I have questions for you, Meri.” Kat looked intently at her. “I know you were a teacher. Can you please tell me more about your education, your experience, and why you are qualified to be our governess?”
Meredith blinked. “Yes, of course.”
“I will need this information for Grandmama.” Kat’s brow creased. “Because I know she will ask. And then, if she is convinced to consider this, she will want to speak directly to you.” She grimaced. “And you should be prepared.”
Spencer chuckled. “For the Spanish Inquisition.”
Meredith felt her mouth getting dry, but she did her best to present her résumé, possibly making it sound more illustrious than it was but nothing untrue. Still, she wondered if it would be enough. What kind of woman was this queen? What was Meredith letting herself in for? And if it all fell apart, how hard was it to get out of this country? At least she still had the plane ticket, train pass, and travel funds. That was reassuring.
