Kat rolled her eyes. “Oh, well, that’s just stupid. Of course, you’re coming. You’re my guest.”
“But your host…”
“I’ll straighten out Grandmama. Now, really, Meredith, pick out a gown.”
Meredith smiled. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Kat laughed with another eye roll. “What do you think of this one?”
“You look beautiful in that color, Kat. And the fit is perfect. What do you think?”
“I like it.” Kat called out for Kalina’s opinion, and the saleswoman began to show Meredith some gowns she thought would be appropriate.
An hour or so later, all three of them stood in front of the mirrors. Kat in pale yellow, Kalina in pale pink, and Meredith in pale blue trimmed with crystal beads. Although the dresses were all different designs, the combination of colors was pleasant.
“We look like a spring bouquet,” Meredith observed.
“It’s perfect,” Kat declared. She checked her watch. “If we hurry back to the palace, we have just enough time for another tennis match,” she told Kalina. “This one will be a tie breaker.”
As they were driven back to the palace, the girls excitedly discussed the facials they planned to get tomorrow and how they would have their hair styled on the day of the ball. It was just as it should be for two normal girls getting ready for their first big night. Meredith was so happy for Kat, so happy that Spencer had stood up for her. She just hoped it would last.
It wasn’t until the day of the birthday ball that Meredith began to feel concerned about attending Kat’s special event. Sure, it would please the princess, but it might anger Queen Katerina. What then? She hated the idea of making a scene on Kat’s special night.
As they were finishing up breakfast in the royal dining room, she decided to speak personally to the queen. She waited for Spencer to take Mishka for their haircuts and the girls to hurry off to squeeze in another tennis match before their manicures and hair styling sessions before she approached the queen.
“Your Majesty, may I speak to you?” Meredith asked. “In private?”
The queen gave her a look that was probably equal to Kat’s eye roll but nodded. “Come to my office at ten.” She stood in her slow regal way, giving Meredith the opportunity to leap out of her chair first to avoid being disrespectful.
“Thank you.” Meredith forced a smile. “Excuse me.”
Feeling like an over-wound bundle of nerves, Meredith started down the stairs with ten minutes to spare. She would rather be early than keep the queen waiting. As it turned out, the queen kept her waiting until ten thirty, but perhaps that was a good thing. Instead of feeling nervous, she was aggravated. As far as she could see, no one had gone into or come out of the queen’s office, and it seemed she was only keeping Meredith waiting to send a message. She was queen and in charge, and she wanted Meredith to know it.
“Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to see me,” Meredith began after sitting. “I want to talk to you about the ball tonight. The princess was distressed that I didn’t plan to attend. Because I didn’t receive an invitation.” She waited.
The queen released a bored sigh. “Is that all?”
“Not exactly. Princess Katerina has requested that I attend, and I promised that I would. Since it is her birthday, it seems only fair that she should have a say in who is there.”
“So I have heard.”
“I plan to be there with her. I just wanted you to know. I didn’t think it was fair to catch you by surprise.”
“Is that so?” The queen narrowed her eyes. “I thought perhaps you enjoyed taking me by surprise. You have infiltrated the royal family with your independent American ideas, Miss Cardwell. Your influence is everywhere.”
Meredith blinked. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Your Majesty. It’s not my intent. My first concern has always been the welfare of your grandchildren. Not just their physical welfare either. I care deeply about their emotional welfare too. If becoming involved like that has upset you, I’m sorry for your sake, but I’m not sorry for the children’s sake.”
The older woman considered Meredith’s words.
“I realize my American ways are different from your culture, Your Majesty, and I have tried to be sensitive to the ways of royalty, but I must admit some of it confuses me.”
The queen closed her eyes and leaned back, sitting very still.
“Are you unwell?” Meredith jumped up from her chair. “Your Majesty?”
She slowly opened her eyes. “No, I am not unwell.” She looked at Meredith. “I must confess some ways of royalty confuse me as well.”
Meredith sat back down, stunned.
