by Jenni James
He bowed low once more, but did not miss the slight frown upon her features as he rose again. Yes, he was being a tad discourteous, and yes, his heart jolted at the sight of her—but honestly, she could not expect him to idle away gossiping, or some such, with an audience.
She must have noticed something in his looks, because she glanced around and her mouth dropped to a small “O” of surprise. “Very well, enjoy your evening, then.” She smiled at him.
He sighed. There would be talk—oh, so very much talk after this.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” He nodded and turned to leave, skirting several gawking maids. Not only had she called him Aleck, but she had made it a point to single him out. He should never have delivered that crate.
Then again, had he refused, who knew what would have happened? Cursed if he did, cursed if he did not. Aleck kicked at a rock in his path as he made his way to the stables. There were still chores to be done, and no sense worrying over the silliness of women when life was as rushed as it was.
After supper, he went up to his room and lay upon his bed, pondering the ramifications of this afternoon’s encounter with the princess. How long would it take anyone to know that they were most definitely interested in the other, and rumors began to fly? He let out a frustrated breath. If only he were royalty, then none of this would matter.
He chuckled.
Of all the stupid thoughts to have, that was probably the most useless. With a grimace, he rolled over and willed himself to think of more practical things. Like ways to speak with the charming girl without getting into trouble or losing his post.
Then he remembered the cloak. Goodness! How could he have been so daft? Of course—he already had the answer to helping her and becoming hers right beneath him! He jumped from the bed and pulled out the small bundle of fabric. His hands caressed the soft, silky feel of the garment. It was so thin, and so smooth, dainty, almost, as though it had been created for a woman. But it looked course and ugly and brown, as though it were just a typical, harsh piece of woolen material used for any menial thing. It was so curiously magical, just in the appearance and touch.
He slipped it over his shoulders and draped it nicely about him. Then he walked to the window and was surprised not to see his reflection at all.
It worked!
This was a concealing cloak.
A wondrous, marvelous concealing cloak.
He could sneak anywhere, like up to the castle, and follow the girls to see where they went! How he wished he could hug Rebecca right now. The girl was an angel! A true angel. This would definitely give him all the advantage he needed over anyone else who attempted to solve the mystery.
He frowned slightly and took off the cloak. Of course, if all the royalty were forced to dance as well, it would be impossible for any of them to awaken and solve the riddle because they would be a part of it. If he had not received this incredible gift, no one would be able to sort this out. Carefully, he folded it up and placed it under his mattress again. There it would stay until it was time for him to use it.
That time came sooner than he would have ever realized—three nights later.
CHAPTER TWELVE
CASEY JUMPED WHEN SHE heard her father’s roar from the room above her.
“I want all my daughters in the blue drawing room now!”
Well, it would seem he was home. She quickly wiped her hands upon her apron and removed it, handing it over to a nearby maid. They had been working all morning on the jam. It was the beginning of the fourth day, and they were nearly done. Securing her pins into her hair, she tried to freshen up as best as possible as she scurried, rather sorely, to the blue drawing room.
She knew her face must be flushed from working so long in the hot kitchens. However, with so many sisters, her father would most likely never notice.
Ilene and Jocelyn rushed as quickly as their swollen feet would allow in the back door, with a maid close behind. The maid must have gone outside to warn the girls. The three sisters entered into the drawing room together.
They were the last to arrive. Dipping into short curtsies, they stepped forward and kissed their father upon his cheek. “Hello, Father,” Casey said.
He did not seem quite as angry as his shout would have implied, and it made her curious. What did he need?
“Cascadia, girls,” he said as he nodded to them, “go sit by your sisters. I have some news to share.”
Curious, Casey found a perch near Beatrice and sat down. Her other sisters were already spread about on various settees and chairs. This was the only drawing room large enough to receive them all, and then guests as well.
“Now, girls. As you probably noticed, I have been away this past week, and it has come to my attention that your situation is more dire than any of us imagined.” He stopped and looked at Abigail. “The cobbler has been by daily to make new shoes in my absence, correct?”
“Yes, Father.”
He nodded. “Good, good. I left word for him to do so.” He looked at the rest of them. “And you are still waking up with your feet swollen and shoes ruined as before?”
“Yes,” Damalis said.
“Then it is as I thought. Quite dire.” He paced a bit before continuing. “I have just been to see Lady Daphne, my sister. It would seem her girls are suffering the same fate as you are, and their feet are just as swollen.”
The girls gasped, several opening their mouths to speak. He raised a hand to halt them. “I stayed the week to see if I could solve the mystery of their dancing. As you know, I have attempted to see what is happening with you and have not been successful. I had no such luck with your cousins, either. It would appear that whatever enchantment you are under, so are the rest of the inhabitants in the house, for no one could stay awake long enough to follow your cousins. Not one of us. And there was no reason for it.”
So that was why no one could solve the mystery. Aleck was right.
Her father paused in his pacing. “I will be releasing a decree tonight asking anyone who does not live in the castle who meets with my approval and who I will allow to attempt to solve this for us to apply in person immediately. I fear a conspiracy of sorts, and we must get to the bottom of this now.”
Even though Casey had heard of this plan before, it was still a relief to know it was finally taking place. Her father was seriously upset, or frightened, or both, and it was disconcerting to see him in such a state.
“Furthermore,” he said as he began to pace again, “I am sending out a letter to all the surrounding kingdoms asking if similar things are happening to them. If someone can figure out what and who is behind such a farce, I personally will see that he is rewarded handsomely; he will also have his choice of wife from amongst my daughters.”
The girls began to protest.
“As I said earlier, he will be someone I approve. He must be young, of sound mind, with pleasing-enough features to attract you, or I will not allow him to attempt the thing. I will be fair, girls, now hush. Let me finish. Then you can bombard me with your countless questions.” He spun on his heel. “However, the prize is not just from me. Already Lady Daphne has requested to add a significant sum, as well as personal property and gifts of jewelry, for the man who can decipher this. And I am certain the other kingdoms, if they are affected as we are, will also add in their share of rewards.”
“This will be a large amount, indeed,” Casey whispered.
“It means that much to us. If we are to outwit whoever is attempting to make us look like fools, it is worth the price of such a prize.” He looked around the room. “Now, girls, what questions do you have?”
For the next thirty minutes or so, he answered everything he could. Then, as her sisters were leaving the room, Casey approached her father.
“Father, I have already asked a man to help us. He is someone I believe could actually succeed, if he is given a chance.”
“Who is this person?”
“Aleck Littleham. He works here at the castle in the ga
rdens.”
“Does he now?” He raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at her.
“He is a good man who has an eye for seeing things others do not.” She rolled her eyes when he continued to stare at her. “We have not had any trysts or any other such nonsense, Father. You can halt your looks. All is well between Mr. Littleham and me. He is a very respectful man.”
“He had better be.”
“He is.” She clutched her father’s hands. “Now please promise me you might allow his hand at trying to solve this mystery?”
“I promise to give him a chance and allow a moment with him to assess his character.”
She smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. “You will love him—truly you will. May we bring him in now?”
Her father seemed a bit taken aback by the quickness of the whole thing. But he nodded. “Yes, it would be nice to know this could possibly be solved tonight.”
“Very good. I shall go and tell him immediately.”
“No, my dear. This will be done properly. I shall send for him. And you—” He shooed at her with his hand. “You will wait for me upstairs. Go and do something productive. I will let you know how it goes.”
She kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Father. You are wonderful.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
WHEN ALECK LOOKED UP to see the footman approaching him, the surprise he felt was nothing compared to the man’s words.
“His Royal Majesty wishes to speak with you in his study immediately.”
Aleck wanted to ask a few questions, but was too nervous. He was not sure it would be proper. Instead, he set his tools down, brushed his hands upon his trousers, and silently followed the footman back in the castle.
He had only been inside once before, and it was when he was much younger. The grandness of Princess Casey’s home was overwhelming. He attempted not to overly gawk as he walked past marble pillars and lavish draperies and furnishings.
Briskly, the servant made his way up the grand staircase. Aleck stayed close. As they turned into the hall, curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, “Why not the servants’ stairs? I am not dressed well enough to wander down these corridors. What if someone were to see me?”
The man paused and looked down his nose at Aleck before stating simply, “The king has requested that you be treated as a guest.” He then turned on his heel and marched toward a door at the far end of the hall.
Aleck paused before following the man. A guest. A guest? What was happening? His heart pounded as he made the last few steps toward the room where the footman was even now announcing his presence to the king. When he heard the king’s positive response, he walked in and bowed before the man seated behind a large chiseled desk. “Your Majesty.”
“So you are the young man my daughter is convinced can help us?” the king asked.
“I, uh—yes. At least, I would be happy to try.”
The king nodded. “Good. Being willing to attempt such a thing is half the battle.” He pointed to a chair. “Please, sit down, young man. What is your name again?”
“Aleck Littleham, Your Majesty,” he said as he sat in a chair across the desk from the king.
The king leaned forward, placing his elbows upon the gleaming surface in front of him. “Do you fully understand what it is that we are asking you to do?”
“I believe so. I have been puzzling over this greatly for nearly a week now, since your daughter first mentioned it to me.”
The king inhaled sharply at the word “daughter,” but did not say anything.
Aleck continued, “The princesses have awoken each morning to ruined dancing slippers and swollen feet. They believe they have been dancing all night, but have no recollection or knowledge of doing so.” His legs began to bounce as he became excited. “But you see, I do wonder if it is more than just your family suffering such happenings.”
The king’s eyebrows rose and Aleck thought it best to explain before the man assumed he was responsible for it all. “Your daughter mentioned cousins who were experiencing the same thing.”
“Did she, now? And when did you speak with her about this?”
Aleck swallowed. “A few days back. She found a letter of her aunt’s written to you and was concerned.”
“I see.” The king’s eyes squinted a bit, but he did not say what he was thinking. Instead, his gaze roamed over Aleck’s features a moment before he nodded. “Continue.”
“Well, I have been mulling over this and I wonder if perhaps other kingdoms are suffering the same fate—maybe the princes? Why just the princesses? Would it not make more sense that, with the sturdier shoes that men wear, they may not have realized what was happening to them?”
The king’s expression did not waver. But his breathing became much more forced and his gaze more intense.
Aleck ploughed on. “It would make more sense if the girls were dancing with someone. My question is, who? Who would do such a thing as this? And why make a mockery of royalty in such a way?”
“You do have many opinions, my boy.” The king cleared his throat. “Well, they are interesting, to say the least. I will need some time to ponder them, as well as to make some inquiries around.”
“I see.” So the king would not wish him to begin solving the mystery at the moment. Aleck sat back in his chair.
“I wish you to start tonight. If it is possible.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I will give you three nights’ leave of anything in this castle. You are to have full run and will not be detained anywhere. I will see that my servants answer any questions you ask of them and treat you as my particular guest the whole length of your stay.”
“But my gardening duties?”
“I will see that another fills in as a replacement for you until you can return. But, young man, you do understand there is a prize for the man who is able to solve this, do you not?”
“I had heard rumor there may be.”
The king looked him over. “The greatest reward is the hand of one of my daughters.”
Aleck gasped. He had known it, but to hear such words from the king’s own mouth made it almost possible, so very real.
“I will not give any of my daughters over to some flop of a man. You must understand this.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“But I like you, Aleck. You may not have been born royalty, but there is a sharpness about you—a sound mind that does much to please a father with so many precious daughters. If you continue to prove your worth and solve this riddle for us, I give you my solemn vow, you may have the hand of any of my daughters you wish.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” He shook his head. “It is a wonderful reward, indeed, but I would only accept such a prize if the princess herself is willing. I do not offer my assistance because of the reward—it is because I was asked by your daughter to do so. Nothing more. I would help any, if I had the means and ability, any at all.”
The king leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his jaw a moment and stared at him a long while. Finally he said, “I believe you. And I believe you are just the man I have been hoping for. Cascadia was right. She often is, which is why I sent for you, but she truly has found a hidden gem. I wish you luck, my boy.” He stood up and held out his hand.
Aleck quickly stood, and the two men clasped forearms.
“You will begin this moment,” the king said. “Let us put an end to this charade immediately.”
“I agree.”
He rang a bell at his desk. “Good. Now let me introduce you to my butler and head housekeeper. They will be sure to find you decent clothing, as well. You will be dining with us and sleeping in the guest quarters. You may travel anywhere you wish, and ask for whatever you need. Also, I will speak personally with Smoot and let him know you are doing an errand for me. Is there anything else I have not thought of?”
“Do you mind if I bring a few of my things in from my room at the stables?”
“You may do whatever you wis
h. Ah. Here is the butler now. Simmons, this is Aleck Littleham. He is my particular guest for the next three nights. See that he is well taken care of.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CASEY LOOKED UP AS her father walked into the music room. She was sitting on the settee working on her embroidery as she listened to Damalis practice the piano. Well, she was attempting to work on her embroidery, since her mind continued to wander, worrying over the meeting with Aleck and never quite settling on the stitches she was creating. After the third time of redoing the same row, she was grateful to see her father enter the room, distracting her from her farce.
He sat down next to her. He waved his hand at Damalis when she paused in her playing. “Continue—it is lovely,” he said.
She smiled, blushed, and began to play again, the soft melody filling the room.
Their father used to be full of compliments and encouraging words. These days he seemed too tired to notice his daughters. Casey knew Damalis would treasure his simple comment for a long while.
“So, I have spoken with your young man.”
Casey’s heart clenched and then began to beat excessively. She feigned ignorance. “Oh? And how did that go?”
“Hmm …” He leaned back and settled his ankle over one knee.
“Father?”
She could just make out a teasing grin beneath his mustache and beard.
“Yes?” He did not look over.
“What do you think of Aleck Littleham?”
He chuckled lightly. “I think he is …” he said, and his voice trailed off.
She nudged the king with her elbow. “Tell me, please.”
He glanced at her, his tired eyes looking at her almost as if for the very first time. “My, my, you do like this young man, do you not?”
She sighed and glanced down at her embroidery. “Yes. Perhaps too much.”
“Why?”
She shook her head, her eyes blindly looking at the fabric before her. “I do not know, exactly. It is perhaps the way I feel around him. There is something—something so steady. So calming and reassuring and good about him.”