“You’re welcome, sweetie.” Meredith picked up the brush and began to tame the curls. “We don’t have time to do much with your hair, but it looks fine for tonight.” She set down the brush. “But remember our deal, you need to go show yourself to your father and get his approval.”
“Will you talk to him first?” Kat asked. “Like you promised you would before?”
“That’s a good idea.” Meredith nodded. “Wait until I call for you.”
Mishka and Spencer were waiting in the living room, looking like a princely pair of gentlemen. “Are the ladies ready?” Spencer frowned at her. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
“She’s not going, Papa.”
“Not going?” Spencer’s brow creased. “A boycott?”
Meredith laughed. “Not at all. I’m not invited. I plan to enjoy a quiet evening on my own right here.”
“Lucky you.”
“That’s what I said, Papa.”
“But I need to explain something about Kat.” She quickly told him about the makeup. “It was the only way I could get her to put on a formal dress. I used a light touch. In fact, if I hadn’tmentioned it, you probably wouldn’t have noticed. But I told her we had to have your permission first.”
“I see.” He looked worried. “Kat wearing makeup…makes me feel rather old.”
“She’s going to be thirteen next month,” she reminded him. “You need to let her grow up. Hopefully, with grace.”
“All right then. Where is the princess?”
“I’ll get her.” She hurried to Kat’s room, and soon Kat was standing before her father.
“Why, Kat, you look beautiful.” He made a low whistle. “I’ll have to start carrying a club to ward off the young men.”
“Oh, Papa!” She grinned. “So the makeup is okay?”
“I think it’s just fine. I can’t even tell you’re wearing any.”
Kat beamed at Meredith. “Meri did it for me.”
“Well, let’s not keep the queen waiting.” He glanced at Meredith. “Enjoy your quiet evening.”
“Don’t worry, I will.” She walked them to the door, admiring how well they all looked together. She hoped the queen would think so too. As she closed the door, she felt a tiny bit left out but then reminded herself of the stressful evening she was avoiding, flopping onto the sofa with a relieved sigh.
Still, she was curious. What went on at a formal dinner? Who was down there to make the extra trouble worthwhile? A dignitary from another country perhaps? It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall. Even so, as she kicked off her shoes, she decided she was just as glad not to be there.
24
Barely into relaxed mode, Meredith’s cell phone jangled. It was Prince Spencer, according to her caller ID. “Hello?”
“I need you to come down here,” he said in an urgent tone. “Right now.”
“Is something wrong?” She scrambled for her shoes.
“Perhaps. Queen Katerina wishes to speak to you. Come at once.”
“Can I put on my shoes?”
“Yes, of course. Just hurry. The queen’s aid will meet you and escort you to her.”
“I’m on my way.” She slid her feet into her shoes and rushed for the door. As she went down, she played various scenarios through her head. Why was the queen so eager for her presence? Probably nothing good. Instead of fretting over it, she prayed as she scurried down the stairs. At the very least, this might be interesting.
The aid met her in the hallway outside the queen’s quarters. “This way, come,” she said with her thick Slavic accent. And justlike that, Meredith was standing before a scowling queen who looked like she was ready to utter “Off with her head!”
