How badly do you want to be queen? Lucia asked.
That was a good question. I want to do it, I guess. Its an amazing opportunity. Im not crazy about the idea of giving up anything resembling a private life, but Im willing. Why?
Ive got an ideabut it might kill your chances with Grandfather.
Oh, dear. Lucia had that look of daring in her eyes that had always gotten them all in trouble when they were kids.
Well, speak up, girl, what is it? Hester urged.
Amelia, why dont you simply marry Nickfor real, nice and legal?
Amelias heart hitched at the very thought before reality reasserted itself. She threw her hands up in the air. Oh, for heavens
No, no, wait, hear me out, Lucia said. This is good. By marrying Nick and readopting the children, you prove to the Ministry of Family that you really were serious back in Palemeir, and it was just circumstances that separated you. You solve Nicks problem.
Lucias suggestion met with stunned silence for a few seconds. Then CeCe spoke up. And she also renders herself ineligible for the throne. I mean, a queen cant marry an ex-mercenary and adopt children. Right?
Nick is a handsome devil, Hester added. If I were a few years younger and didnt have my Quincy, Id marry him.
Yeah, not a bad bonus, getting to share a bed with him.
Lucia! Amelia felt the heat rising in her face because her sister had voiced exactly what shed been thinking. Youve never even met him.
Yeah, but CeCe told me he was hot.
I said he was handsome, CeCe objected.
Amelia laughed. You all cant be seriouscan you?
Three pairs of eyes looked expectantly at her.
But hes furious with me. He would never agree to it.
From what youve said, CeCe pointed out, Nick would do whatever it took to keep those kids.
Amelia had to concede that was true.
Anyway, its not like you have to stay married the rest of your lives, Lucia pointed out. Once the Ministers Family is convinced the marriage was genuine after all, theyll turn their attention elsewhere, and you and Nick can quietly divorce.
Amelia gave her younger sister a friendly shoulder nudge. Trying to get rid of me so you can be queen?
Everyone laughed at that. Grandfather dearest isnt about to hand over his precious country to me, Lucia said. Not after the spectacle I made of myself at CeCes wedding. She was referring to the fact that shed shown up at the sumptuous society wedding on the arm of a rock singer. Hell have to look elsewhere for an heir to the throne. I mean, were not his only grandchildren. Theres always Cousin Markus to fall back on.
Amelia shook her head. Im not marrying Nick. Mother would have a fit. She wants one of us to be queen so she can play Queen Mum.
That produced another round of laughter. Charlotte wasnt the Queen Mum type. She had her own empire to runDeLacey Shipping. But she did want to keep peace with the king now that they were somewhat reconciled, and she did hope for great things for her daughters. She would be terribly disappointed if Amelia sabotaged her chance to inherit the throne of Korosol.
For the time being, discussion of Amelia marrying Nick was put on the back burner, for which she was grateful. The four women launched themselves into shopping in earnest. But one phrase kept running through Amelias mind
No wife, no adoption, no kids.
When they arrived back at the penthouse, arms laden with sacks and boxes for the nursery, Bernice, Charlottes rotund, rosy-cheeked cook, enticed the sisters to have lunch before they all went their separate ways. Charlotte joined them. Amelia had hoped her grandfather, who was staying at the penthouse, might also venture out and share in the meal. In a more informal setting, she might broach the subject of Nick and Josie and Jakob again. But he took his meal in his room, which he often did.
Charlotte presided over lunch as if it were a board meeting. Her slim stature, erect posture and short, tousled white hair made her look far younger than her fifty years. She was deeply concerned about her girls futures, but she had spent so much time away from her daughters when they were young that none of them felt terribly close to her.
So, Amelia, Charlotte began as they all munched on crab-salad croissants around a table on the screened lanai, how did Mr. Standishs audience with the king go?
That was yesterday, Lucia commented. Youre just now asking?
Ive been busy, Charlotte said tightly. Weve got the dock workers threatening to strike and a new ship to ready for dedication next week. The mayors coming for that one, you know.
Lucia poked her fork into the crunchy end of her croissant. I thought you were interested in Nicks audience.
I am, of course. And Im sure Amelia will tell me what happened, if youll stop sniping at me.
Sniping? All I did was
Knock it off, Lucia, Amelia said wearily. You were picking a fight and you know it. Lucia and Charlotte mixed about as well as gasoline and matches. All of her life, Amelia had been the peacekeeper. If it wasnt Lucia trying to establish her independence, it was CeCe trying too hard to compete with her mother, though Charlotte had been getting along better with CeCe since learning of her impending grandchild. Charlotte, who had not been the most attentive of mothers while the princesses were growing up, intended to make up for it with her grandchildren.
Youre right, Lucia said grudgingly. Sorry, Mother.
Charlotte smiled at Lucia. My little drama queen. You always did like to scrap. Ive always had that problem myself. Crisis averted, Amelia related to her mother what had happened during Nicks brief audience.
He can be so inflexible, Charlotte said in an exasperated reference to the king. And once hes made up his mind, theres no changing it.
I was afraid youd say that. Amelia blotted her mouth and set her napkin on the table, no longer hungry. She couldnt just stand by and do nothing. She had to at least talk to Nick one more time. Hed avoided her and all of the New York Carradignes like Ebola ever since their audience yesterday. Shed pried the name of his hotel out of Eleanor, and left half a dozen messages, but he wouldnt return her calls.
Each hour that passed with no word from him increased Amelias suspicion that he was going to do something crazy. And she was powerless to stop him.
Or was she?
Quincy Vanderling, Hesters husband, opened the door and stepped onto the lanai. Begging your pardon, ladies, he said even as he grabbed an olive off Amelias plate and popped it into his mouth. He then smoothed his thinning white hair in a gesture of nonchalance.
When Hester had come to America to work for Lady Charlotte and Prince Drake shortly after their marriage, a besotted Quincy had followed, eventually hired as the Carradignes butlerand as Hesters husband. Slightly stooped and a little husky, he wasnt very butlerish. But he was utterly devoted to Hester and the Carradigne family.
What is it, Quincy? Charlotte asked.
Miss Eleanor Standish is here. She needs to deliver some faxes to the king, but she would like to pay her respects to you all as well. Want me to put her in the Grand Room?
What is it, Quincy? Charlotte asked.
Miss Eleanor Standish is here. She needs to deliver some faxes to the king, but she would like to pay her respects to you all as well. Want me to put her in the Grand Room?
Ellie! Exactly who Amelia needed to see. She popped out of her chair. Ill bring her out here. Maybe shell want a sandwichtheres plenty of crab salad left.
Amelia wended her way through the kitchen and up the back stairs, following Quincy as he led her to Ellie, who was just coming out of the kings suite. She heard the kings final murmured words to her as she closed the door behind her.
Here you go, Quincy said, then shuffled off to do whatever it was he did when he wasnt butleringpossibly getting himself a little nip of sherry.
Amelia! Eleanor said as she shoved some papers into her briefcase. You didnt have to escort me down. I just wanted to pop in and say hi to everyone.
But I wanted to speak to you privately, Amelia said. Not here in the hallway, though, where someone might overhear. She led Ellie into an empty suite across the hall from Eastons quarters and closed the door.
Why all the mystery?
Is Nick still in New York?
Ellie looked at her watch. For about forty more minutes. His plane leaves at 2:05.
Plane to where?
To Korosol, of course. Where did you think?
LaGuardia, or JFK? Amelia asked urgently.
JFK.
What airline?
Air France, I think. Amelia, what is this about? She gave Ellie a quick hug. I dont have time to explain. Tell the family Imrunning an errand.
She sprinted down the hall to her own room, not really thinking or planning her actions, just running on pure instinct. There was no time to order the limoshe would have to take a taxi. Shed regretted her decision to abandon Nick and the kids to the fates. This was the only way to make it right again.
From her room she grabbed big sunglasses, a hat and a long, bulky jacket that disguised her figure, which sometimes drew unintended attention despite the fact she did little to show it off. As she crept down the main stairs, she stuffed her telltale blond curls into the hat, shoved the glasses onto her face and donned the jacket.
She would have to sneak past the security station. The guard on duty couldnt keep his eyes on everything at the same time. While he checked the various monitors, she darted past him to the elevator. Ordinarily she was expected to let security know where she was going, but she didnt have time for lengthy explanations.
Her luck heldno one saw her exit the Carradignes private elevator. Walking without her usual bold stride and confident gaze, shuffling along staring at the ground in front of her, she was a master at blending into crowds when she had to.
Once outside, she quickly secured a cab. JFK, please, and theres an extra twenty in it for you if you make it to the Air France gate in thirty minutes.
Yes, lady! the Ethiopian driver said. He punched the gas pedal and the car jolted forward.
Amelias luck held out as they encountered no traffic jams in the Queens Tunnel. The cabbie made it with two minutes to spare. Amelia shoved some cash at him and leaped out of the taxi without a backward glance.
She found the flight to Korosol on the Air France monitor. It was on time, probably the only flight all afternoon that wasnt running behind. So much for luck. She dashed through the airport until she reached the gate, which was devoid of passengers. Everyone had boarded already, but the plane was still at the gate.
Amelia zeroed in on the ticket agent. I really need to speak to someone on that plane, she implored.
Im sorry, maam, but I cantOh my gosh, youre Princess Amelia.
Amelia decided that for once she could use her royal heritage to advantage. Yes, I am, and this is a matter of great importance toto the royal family. Well, a small part of it, anyway.
The ticket agent conferred with her co-worker, then looked back at Amelia. The passengers name?
Nicholas Standish.
She began punching buttons on her computer, driving Amelia wild with impatience. What was she doing?
The agent appeared confused. Nicholas Standish is on the list, but he never checked onto this flight. Neither did Jakob or Josie Standish.
Amelia stifled a gasp. It was just as she feared. Nick was running away with the kids. Think, Mellie, think. What would be his plan? He would go somewhere where he and the children could speak the language. Of course, Nick could speak half a dozen languages with some facility. But the childrenonly three. English, Russian and some French.
Canadait had to be Canada. She thanked the agent, then walked as briskly as she dared without drawing attention down the terminal toward Canadian Airways.
He would go to a big city, where he could become anonymous. Quebec? Toronto? They spoke French in Quebec. Amelia checked the monitor. One flight had left at one-thirty, another was scheduled for three-fifteen. She went to the gate for the later flight. No Nick, no children.
Her hopes sank. Finding Nick in this airport would be like finding a particular grain of sand on a beach. He might have taken a completely different airline. For that matter, he might have gone to a different airport. Or he might be driving across the border with forged documents.
Amelia had one last idea. She went to an information phone and dialed the operator. I need to page Nicholas Standish. Can you ask him to meethis wife at the Canadian Airways ticket counter?
Yes, maam, Id be happy to do that for you.
A few seconds later, the page went out over the loudspeaker. Amelia found a chair across from Canadian Airways and sat down to watch and wait.
NICK NEARLY JUMPED out of his skin when he heard his name over the loudspeaker.
Uncle Nick, they just called your name, Josie said, sounding alarmed. Are we in trouble for missing our plane?
Nick smiled at her. No, Josie. But Id better find out whats going on. The only person who knew he was here was Ellie. His hopes rose. Maybe she had news from the king. Maybe Easton had changed his mind.
He and the children had missed their flight to Korosol. Theyd had plenty of time, but as he stood in line to check in, Nick hadnt been able to take that next step. He wasnt sure why. Clearly there was nothing else to be done to further his cause in New York. But the thought of returning to his village and waiting passively while the Ministry of Family took steps to remove his childrenwell, it was a difficult step to take.
Hed taken the kids to a fast-food place and bought them chocolate shakes to give him some time to think, though the previous two days of thinking hadnt yielded good results.
There was a courtesy phone right across from the restaurant where theyd gotten the shakes. Nick could answer the page and still keep watch over the kids.
Be right back, he said. Moments later he was talking to an operator.
Yes, Mr. Standish. Your wife would like you to meet her at the Canadian Airways ticket counter.
My wife? Not Ellie, then. Couldnt be anyone but Amelia. His heart beat double time at the implications her words conjured up. What was the princess up to this time? And how the hell had she figured out he was thinking about Canada? Thank you.
Though hed studiously avoided returning her calls, there was no way he could ignore Amelias summons.