“I think she liked that…somewhat. I wouldn’t push it too far though.”
“Do you honestly think I’ll even get the chance? I mean, despite all you’re saying, the queen does want me to leave. She made that clear this morning.”
“That was this morning.” He looked intensely into her eyes. “What if she changed her mind? What if she now wants you to stay? Would you be able to do that? Cut your ties to your home and country? Postpone your plans to tour Europe? Could you actually do that?”
“It would depend on the circumstances.” She felt slightly breathless, staring into his sincere gray eyes. What was he really asking of her? To remain here as the royal nanny? Or something more?
“Papa!” Kat and Kalina swooped in. “I’ve been waiting for you to escort me into the ball.”
“I thought you were already in there, Kat,” he told her.
“I want to make a big entrance with you. Grandmama will signal the band to play something festive.” She looped her arm in his. “Meri can walk with Kalina behind us.” She glanced at Meredith. “Okay?”
Meredith smiled. “Absolutely.” She linked arms with Kalina now. “Ready, partner?”
Kalina giggled, and the royal procession began. And just like Kat had described, they were barely in the ornate ballroom when the music began to play what sounded like some kind of royal march.
“I think we should wait back here,” Meredith whispered to Kalina. “Let them take the floor alone.” They watched as Kat and Spencer walked down an aisle the crowd had formed for them. They went directly toward the queen, who was seated on a throne-like chair with Mishka standing by her side. Father and daughter bowed as the queen stood and, with arms spread, used a microphone and PA system to wish Princess Katerina a happy birthday. The crowd clapped and cheered, and she turnedand motioned to the band. A Strauss piece began to play, and now father and daughter waltzed while the crowd watched with admiration.
But midway through the waltz, Spencer and Kat stopped. He walked her to the edge of the crowd where several uniformed men were standing near the queen. Rubbing his chin, he seemed to check them out closely, which caused a few titters, and then he chose a handsome fair-haired man, giving his daughter’s hand to him so they could continue the dance. He turned and walked toward Meredith. Her heart pounded in fear and anticipation. Was he really about to ask her to dance in front of God and everyone, or was she daydreaming?
“May I have this dance?” he asked with a sober expression.
“Yes.” She dipped in a little curtsy. Whether that was the appropriate thing to do or not, he smiled as if he appreciated it.
“That was perfect,” he told her as they began to waltz. “Did someone coach you?”
“Maybe some old movie.” She smiled. “It seemed appropriate.”
“You’re a good dancer,” he said as they waltzed toward the princess and her young man, nodding to them. Kat was beaming. “I was hoping.”
“My dad made me take dancing lessons after he discovered I had two left feet.”
Spencer chuckled. “Good for Dad.”
Now other couples of all ages started to join them on the dance floor. It felt as if some magic timeline protocol had been fulfilled, and the ball was officially begun. After the first waltz tune ended, Meredith looked over to where Mishka was patiently standing by his grandmother looking bored to tears.
“May I go ask Mishka to dance?” she asked Spencer.
He chuckled. “I’ll try not to be envious, but yes, please do. Poor fellow looks like he could use an escape.”
She walked over, and after curtsying more deeply than usual to the queen, she smiled. “May I please have this dance with Prince George?”
The queen nodded, and Mishka, looking greatly relieved, hurried down the carpeted steps. “Thanks, Meri,” he told her as he grasped her right hand. “I don’t really like to dance, but anything is better than that.”
“Well, thank you for that.” She feigned offense. “I was looking forward to this dance with you.”
“I’m sorry,” he told her. “I want to dance with you too. You look beautiful, Meri.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him. “And you dance well. I’m impressed.”
“Grandmama makes us take lessons.”
“Good for Grandmama.”
After that dance ended, Meredith suggested he ask his sister to dance, and when he frowned, she reminded him it was Kat’s birthday. She watched as he stiffly walked over to Kat, who was just being approached by another young man. Interrupting the young, uniformed man, Mishka held out his hand and Kat, laughing, took it.
“May I have the next dance?” Spencer asked.
