The limousine slowed down as it came to the village, and eager to see more, she turned to peer out the window, pleased to see that it looked like an old-fashioned Alpine village with quaintlittle shops and cobblestone streets. “It’s absolutely charming,” she murmured. “It looks delightful and sweet.”
“Looks can be deceiving,” Spencer said quietly.
“Papa!” Kat scolded. “Don’t speak ill of my homeland.”
“Sorry.” He grinned. “You know I love this place.”
“Then what did you mean?” Meredith asked him.
“It’s just that…well, locals don’t always welcome newcomers. We are not exactly a tourist-friendly country—mostly because we get so few tourists and don’t encourage it. And sometimes those that do come to visit are opportunistic, looking to capitalize on our sweet charm only to line their own pockets.”
“The queen frowns on that,” Kat told her. “So we must be careful of outsiders.”
“And I am an outsider?” Meredith asked rhetorically.
“Not like that,” Kat said.
“You are our friend, Meri.” Mishka reached for her hand. “You’re not an outsider. And you’ll be our nanny, so—”
“Governess,” Kat interrupted. “Mrs. Bosko will be our nanny. Rather, she’ll be your nanny, Mishka. I do not need a nanny.”
“The plans of mice and men,” Spencer muttered, “and princesses.”
“There’s the castle.” Mishka pointed out his side window, and Meredith looked to see a rather imposing gray structure made of stone. “It was first built in 1488, but part of it burnt down in 1534. The west side was rebuilt, and the wall was added.”
“It’s had numerous revisions and additions since it was built,” Kat told her as they waited in front of a tall metal gate where two security guards peered closely then smiled and permitted them entry. “We live on the east side.” Kat pointed. “See the high windows on that corner? That is my room, and Mishka’s is next to it.”
“It’s a sturdy looking structure. Beautiful yet austere.” Meredith felt a wave of nerves wash over her as she locked eyeswith one of the stone lions flanking the driveway. She was in over her head here, and she knew it.
Suddenly, Kat was speaking to her father in their Slavic language, emphatically waving her hands as if she were trying to convince him of something. Finally, he just held up his hands.
“Kat wants to move into Mama’s old rooms,” Mishka quietly translated for her. “She thinks it’s her right, since she is princess and heir to the throne.”
“I shall move to Mama’s suite,” Kat explained to Meredith. “You shall occupy my old rooms.”
“If your grandmother agrees,” Spencer pointed out as the car stopped and doors began to open.
“Yes, of course.”
“I want to show Meri the castle,” Mishka said with bright eyes.
“Yes, you do that,” Spencer told him. “While Kat and I speak to the queen.” He exchanged looks with Meredith now, as if to say anything could happen. She had no doubts it could. What if the queen hated Kat’s idea? Would Meredith be shipped right out of here? If so, perhaps that would be for the best.
With Mishka taking her by the hand, Meredith was given the full tour of the castle—or at least the tour of his favorite places, including the library and the ballroom where he confessed to having roller-skated a few times, and the big kitchen where he was greeted by the chef and given buttery cookies with nuts and powdered sugar.
They went up and down stairs, and Mishka passed by some rooms with closed doors, saying they were just for meetings and things. Finally they made their way up to the section that housed his family. He opened the double doors to take them into a small foyer that led into what looked like an attractive American living room with thick cream-colored wall-to-wall carpet, comfortable furnishings, and a large-screen TV.
“I feel like we’re not in the castle anymore.” Meredith picked up a large green throw pillow, fluffing it and then setting it back on the sectional.
“Mama had this section made special. Just for us when we were little. Before she…went away.”
“It’s a pleasant room.” Meredith looked at the snowcapped mountains, framed in the tall high window. “It’s obvious your mother must’ve loved you very much.”
He brightened then agreed with her before showing her the family’s kitchen and dining room. Not extravagant but quite nice. “Do you eat here a lot?”
“Breakfast and lunches. When Grandmama doesn’t make us go to her dining room. But we get to have dinner here if Grandmama has fancy guests and no children are allowed.”
“Who cooks?”
