“Come back next week. Everyone of any import is involved in entertaining the foreign diplomats this week.”
He didn’t stay to answer any more questions. Alana wondered aloud, “Should we take a town official into our confidence, if they are the only ones who can get in right now?”
“No, only a palace official, and only if you must, as we discussed,” Poppie said. “No one is to know who you are until you are safely inside those gates.”
This delay had a calming effect on Alana, but just the opposite effect on Poppie. On the way back to the inn he explained the risks of remaining in the city for longer than they’d intended. Old neighbors might recognize him and recall that he’d disappeared the same night the princess did. She might be recognized if she resembled her mother. It would be a good thing if she did, but not before she was secure inside the palace walls.
“You intend to remain in the city afterwards,” she reminded him.
“Yes, but I can’t assume my old habits of keeping to the shadows and wearing clothes designed to conceal me when there’s a beautiful young woman beside me. I will be fine once you are safe with your father. Until then, neither of us is safe.”
Which meant she wouldn’t be leaving the inn. But Poppie made several forays into the city at night, only telling her about them after he returned, so she wouldn’t worry.
On one of them, he checked the defenses at the palace, telling her, “The walls are much more heavily guarded than they used to be. It could be because of the dignitaries currently visiting, or because of the rebel threat, or it may have been in effect all these years, ever since you were taken.”
“You would have snuck inside if they weren’t, wouldn’t you?” she scolded.
He didn’t deny it. “It would have saved so much time if I could have reached Frederick’s chambers to let him know I’ve brought you home, but it wasn’t possible.”
Another night he came back to tell her, “I’ve visited my father-in-law. I was surprised by his warm welcome, when I had avoided all contact with him during my years of grief. He has agreed to let Henry stay with him. I will take him there the night before the palace opens again. It will be safer to rendezvous with him there, in secret, than out in the city streets.”
It was a relaxing week for Alana. Poppie found her books to read. They played games they used to play in London. Henry joined them so they could both continue his lessons. The time didn’t drag and was even in her favor, because she finally managed to convince Poppie that escorting her inside the palace was an unnecessary risk on his part.
He did still drive with her to the gates the day after the visiting diplomats left town. They should probably have waited another day or two. He had checked early that morning and the line was even longer than it had been before, with all palace business having been suspended that week, so they didn’t leave for the palace until noon. The line was indeed gone by then, and Alana hoped that all the people who had been there earlier hadn’t come to see the king.
Poppie put his hand over hers and said gently, “We part here as you suggested.”
It was a tribute to her diverse education that he had finally given in to her entreaties, because he knew she could do this on her own. And because she would have others to protect her as soon as she was inside those walls.
“Try to gain an audience with your father without telling anyone else who you are,” Poppie continued. “Remember my warning. Trust no one.”
He was repeating himself. Did he think she’d been too distraught to retain all his previous warnings?
“And if they won’t let me see him without saying who I am, I am to seek out a high official to take into my confidence, one who can arrange a private meeting for me,” she finished for him.
“Or bribe one. Your purse is filled with gold, use it at your discretion.”
She nodded. Separating from Poppie was much worse than she’d expected. Even though she had insisted this was the safer way, emotion was still choking her. She could barely get out the words “When will I see you again?”
“I will never be far. If—when you are safely with your father, send this for repair.” He handed her a broken watch. “There is only one watchmaker in the city. This watch will let me know you have succeeded. And if I find out anything you should know, I will send Henry to you.”
He suddenly hugged her tightly. “I am very proud of you, princess. You have surpassed all of my expectations. Garner your confidence now. Your blood is royal. Never forget that.”
Then he was gone, leaving her alone in the coach. She had a few minutes to cry over their parting before her coach passed through the fortress gate to the palace—and her future.
Chapter Ten
CHRISTOPH BECKER STARED AT the crackling fireplace that didn’t quite heat the main room of his quarters. He would have lit the braziers on the other side of the room if he didn’t want his guest to leave. But he did want her gone. And she was still there, angrily pacing behind him, because, out of respect for their past relationship, he didn’t want to shove her out the door as she deserved for haranguing him over a pointless issue that was never going to happen.
Christoph had told her no again. It did no good. It certainly wasn’t the first time Nadia Braune had tried to reestablish their childhood friendship and seduce him into marriage. With her spoiled temperament, she resorted to insulting him when she failed. This time was no different. He had turned his back on her to dismiss her. Being ignored usually enraged her enough that she stomped off. But she hadn’t reached that point yet.
“Why can’t you quit this job and get on with your life?” she had railed at him this time. “You’ve already accomplished what you wanted. You have proven beyond doubt how loyal you Beckers are.”
“It’s never occurred to you that I like this job?” he had rejoined.
“Don’t be ridiculous! Any commoner can do what you do here.”
He’d still had enough patience to ignore the insult and remind her, “You have had countless offers. I know most of them. Pick one and, as you have suggested for me, get on with your own life.”
