“There are rules for a reason.”
Meredith nodded.
“Respect and honor are vital to the throne.”
“I understand that, Your Majesty.” Meredith thought hard. “I respect and honor my father…but I do it becauseI love him. Not because the rules force me to.”
The queen’s expression was surprisingly thoughtful and now softened more. “Do you love Prince Spencer?”
If the queen had asked this with her usual entitled attitude, Meredith might’ve refused to answer, but something about the queen was so vulnerable. “Yes, Your Majesty, I’m afraid I do.”
“Just as I thought.” The queen let out a long sigh. “And I fear he loves you as well.”
Meredith didn’t know what to say. This was all so unexpected. Where was the queen going with this? Perhaps this was her excuse to be rid of Meredith for good.
“I have a question for you, Miss Cardwell.”
“Yes?”
“I do not get the impression you are mercenary, but I would like to offer you a dividend if you would agree to leave the country at once.”
“What?” Meredith couldn’t believe her ears. Did the queen truly think she could bribe her to clear out? A payoff to get the American nuisance out of her hair? Seriously?
“No, I didn’t think so. I see the answer in your face. Forget I said that, Miss Cardwell. Forgive me for it.” She held up a hand, a large blue stone glimmering in the light, but the insinuation was that this interview was over. “I am tired, Miss Cardwell. I must rest up for tonight’s festivities.” She stood. “I will see you there.”
Meredith thanked the queen for her time, and feeling off balance and confused, exited the room. What did all that mean? Was the payoff offer in earnest? Had the queen meant to insult her? But then she’d apologized and even asked her to forgive her. Perhaps it was insincere. Perhaps she’d misread the queen. Was Queen Katerina, right this moment, concocting a diabolic plan to rid Rotslavia of the American intruder once and for all? Oh, probably not. But if Meredith hadn’t promised Kat to be at the ball, she might have skipped out on it. For Kat’s sake, she would be there. With bells on if necessary.
28
Meredith spent the rest of the day accompanying Kat and Kalina to the beauty salon, where they were pampered with manicures, pedicures, and hair-styling. By the time they left, she was almost over her awkward encounter with the queen. But as soon as they went into the palace, it was back. She couldn’t figure it out. One moment she thought the queen was trying to connect with her, and the next moment she was trying to pay her to leave. Her head was spinning as she encouraged the girls to have some quiet time in Kat’s room, reminding them it would be a long evening. The truth was, she wanted some quiet time to reflect on all this. And to pray.
Back in her room, she sat in silence for a long while. Perhaps she was praying, or…perhaps she was in shock. Mostly she felt slightly lost and confused. What was the answer here? When her phone pinged, she picked it up and was pleased to see who was on the other end. “Daddy?” she said eagerly.
“Hey, princess.” His cheerful tone felt like good medicine. “It’s early morning here, but I was thinking of you.”
“Are you still hiking?”
“Nah, that’s all done for the year. To be honest, I’m relieved. I guess I’m getting older than I realized.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re okay.”
“How about you? Last time we talked, you were a little confused.”
“If I was confused then, I’m bamboozled now.”
“Tell me about it.”
She poured out the story of the queen and the offer of a bribe and being questioned about loving the prince. She was hoping for her dad’s sympathy, but he was just laughing. “Oh, Meri, that is something!”
“What do you mean that is something?”
“My daughter gets robbed in Vienna then ends up marrying a prince in Rotslavia.”
“No one said anything about marriage, Dad.”
“Obviously it’s on the queen’s mind. Is she imagining things?”
“I don’t know.”
