The Rejected Princess

by Clark, Katie;

Roanna smiled and breezed past him. “I’ve come to visit Lady Merry Stern if she is in. We met in Chester’s Wake, and I thought it nice to make a friend here in Dawson’s Edge as I’ve been engaged to marry Ambassador Roland Dawson.” She worded her speech carefully so as not to lie outright.

  The butler bowed slightly. “Allow me to show you to the sitting room. I will see if Lady Merry is available.”

  The house looked large on the outside, but the inside was small and cramped. The foyer area was tight, and the butler led her through a series of small hallways. Rooms branched off every few feet, but each room was equally small. At last, he deposited her in a sitting room with a few chairs, a chaise lounge, and a sofa. A round table sat in the middle of the room, and a vase decorated the table. The vase had no flowers.

  “If you’ll wait just a moment, Your Highness.” He bowed again then lumbered away.

  Roanna took a deep breath the moment he was gone. She had considered all night what to say to Merry. Before she could think another moment, Merry stormed in. Her eyes wide, she evaluated Roanna.

  “My lady,” she said, curtsying slightly, and out of breath. “I heard there was an attack at the palace. You are uninjured?”

  Roanna raised her eyebrows. “An attack? Oh my. We’ve been to Santa Rio. I hadn’t realized—that is, I heard of it but didn’t realize it was serious. Was it serious, then?”

  Merry watched her silently for another beat then took a seat beside her on the couch. “I’m not sure how serious it was, to tell the truth. But I’m glad you weren’t harmed.”

  “I’m sure it was nothing.” Roanna waved her hand. “King Dawson would have informed us otherwise.” So much for not lying.

  Merry smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “What brings you to Stern Estate? How is Gregory?”

  Gregory? Roanna had nearly forgotten Gregory had shown Merry around the palace in Chester’s Wake. Had they become friends then? “Well, if you remember, I became betrothed to Roland Dawson. I’ve been worried about knowing no one, but then I remembered you. I thought we might visit and become friends, though my time is short.”

  “Wonderful!” Merry called for the butler and ordered tea and finger foods to be brought at once. “Did you say how Gregory fares?”

  “He’s well. Worried over the escalating problems, no doubt, but well.” That was true, at least. “He takes things very seriously, whether he wants to or not.”

  A flash of something like pain passed behind Merry’s eyes. It came and went so fast that Roanna had no chance to decipher it.

  “He was very kind to me when we met. I hope the attacks haven’t caused too much distress.”

  “Yes, well,” Roanna paused for effect, drawing on all her courage to go on. “He’s worried because he wonders where the attacks could be coming from. Across the ocean? Might they attack Chester’s Wake next?” She shook her head. “And he wonders if someone isn’t up to a nasty trick.” Sha paused again then leaned close to Merry, keeping her voice low. “He worries over the integrity of the Dawson family.”

  Merry’s expression changed, from one of rapt attention to delighted understanding. She straightened and took a long sip of her tea. “If you want my honest opinion, he has right to worry over the royal family. The Sterns have long suspected evil on their part.”

  Roanna wasn’t raised in Dawson’s Edge, and she realized things might be worse than she ever saw. But the king and queen never struck her as evil. Misguided, perhaps, and sometimes too conniving. But not evil, so far. She kept her face neutral. “Oh?”

  “They use their power only to benefit themselves. I could see them attacking Lox then staging an attack on themselves in order to cast blame on someone else.”

  Disgust filled Roanna. Disgust over Merry’s overt lies. She channeled it into her own performance. “How could they be so cold hearted? Men and women in Lox have died. It feels wrong to marry into such a family.”

  Merry sat back and sighed. “The Sterns long to do something about it, but we have no allies. Father and a few other families have been in touch with the countries across the ocean, but we need more. We need an ally here on our own continent.”

  Roanna raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”

  Merry studied her another moment then leaned forward. “Would Chester’s Wake be interested in an alliance?”

  “I couldn’t make such promises, but it doesn’t seem unlikely. Especially where Gregory is concerned. He could convince Father, I’m sure.”

  Merry’s face lit up at the mention of Gregory.

  Roanna bit her lip. What was Merry’s relationship with him?

  “You say they use their power for themselves,” Roanna said. “How so?”

  Merry frowned, seeming to weigh her words. “It is said the royal family possesses some type of strange powers. Do you remember I told you about the conjurers?” She shook her head. “I don’t understand it all myself, but they force their thoughts on others. They take choice away from people.”

  Based on the things Roanna had seen herself this seemed unlikely. She’d been stretching her mind all week and hadn’t detected them using their powers at all. It was doubtful they would—or could—force anyone to do anything.

  Merry took a bite of her small pastry. “The Sterns are partnered with the Maynes from the south,” she went on in a low tone. “Our families have been working together for years to make a change in Dawson’s Edge. In fact, the Maynes are expected here for lunch today. Could you stay? I’m sure they would be thrilled to hear of a possible alliance with Chester’s Wake.”

  How long had she been in the house already? Ben said they were pressed for time.

  When she paused, Merry went on. “Don’t feel pressured into it. Speak to Gregory, if you feel the need. You can always meet the Maynes and Dr. Presnell later.”

  Roanna’s body tensed up. Every nerve seemed to buzz. “Dr. Presnell will be here?”

  Merry waved a hand dismissively. “He’s a close family friend. He’s very old, and a bit senile, but he often tells the cleverest of jokes.”

  “I would love to stay and meet him.” Ben would have to understand. What more could they do? She’d been trying to meet the doctor for months, as had Ben.

  Yes, Ben would understand. She would stay for lunch, and he would have to wait.

  69

  Merry led Roanna onto the porch. They sat in rocking chairs facing a winding drive. It was a beautiful home, if old and small. Different from the palaces Roanna was used to, as she’d never even seen a rocking chair, let alone sat in one.

  “Can you expound on what the Dawsons do, exactly, that the Sterns feel the need to call them evil?” Roanna asked.

  Merry looked out across the estate, her eyes straying toward the train station.

  Roanna glanced that way. Was Ben watching? Wondering what she was up to?

  Finally, Merry looked back to her. “There are times when the nobles want to move the country in a certain direction, but somehow the majority always changes their mind. We believe it’s because the royal family changes it for them.”

  It was absurd, but discomfort spread through Roanna. The Dawsons were hated by the other noble families because of their powers? They sat in silence for a while as Roanna digested the information.

  “What about others throughout Dawson’s Edge who have powers? Would you stop them as well?”

  Merry frowned as if she hadn’t ever considered it. But a moment later, the look cleared. “Few have powers as strong as those of the royal family. We are mostly concerned with being controlled by them unfairly, rather than the powers themselves.”

  Roanna let the words sink in, but they didn’t ring true. The rebels were making excuses to fuel their own selfish desires.

  “How will Chester’s Wake aid us if you are still betrothed to Roland?” Merry asked now. “You have already signed a peace treaty, haven’t you?”

  “The question I am more concerned with is how the Sterns and Maynes will assist Chester’s Wake.” She
said it softly, trying to change the subject. “The arrangement should be mutually beneficial.”

  Silence seeped between them again. Had Roanna gone too far?

  Merry took a deep breath. “Forgive me. You’re right, of course. My father will need to discuss the matter with your father, I suspect.”

  Roanna let out a nervous breath. “Yes. We’re speaking much too deeply, aren’t we?”

  Merry smiled, but something caught her eye and she looked toward the gravel drive. A black auto approached. “Here are the Maynes and the doctor now.”

  Tension returned to Roanna’s shoulders. She rolled her neck slightly and took another deep breath. Meeting Dr. Presnell was something she’d been trying to do ever since she’d learned of his existence. She needed to speak to him, but also to woo answers out of him. He would know who she was, of course, if he was the one who took her from her rightful parents in the first place. Would he reveal her secret?

  The tension moved to her stomach, and she willed her butterflies away. The auto approached at a steady pace until it reached the circular drive at the front portico where Roanna and Merry sat.

  They stood as the auto came to a stop, and within a moment Baron Stern came from the house, followed by the butler and a few other servants.

  They stood in an informal greeting line as Duke and Duchess Mayne climbed from the auto, followed by an even older man. Dr. Presnell.

  He was shorter than she’d expected, and hunched over. His white hair was thinned out of existence, but the few wisps he had left floated around in disarray. He wore thick glasses and walked with a cane.

  Baron Stern greeted the guests, followed by Merry and her mother. So far, no one had questioned Roanna’s presence. What did Merry’s father think of her being here?

  Her plan was solid, but she needed to be cautious. If they discovered her betrayal, she could be in great danger.

  When the Maynes reached her, Roanna smiled and held out her hands to them. Lady Mayne’s eyes widened. “Princess Roanna,” she exclaimed. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon after Lady Gretchen’s.”

  “Indeed,” Roanna said. “Good fortune. I was visiting Santa Rio when I decided to stop by and see Merry. I do hope we will be fast friends.”

  “Of course,” Merry smiled. “We already are.”

  Lady Mayne seemed appeased. “It is wonderful to see you here.”

  At last Merry presented her to Baron Stern, and then came Dr. Presnell. She watched him closely to see how he would react. Did he realize who she was? That she was the very baby he’d yelled warnings over more than eighteen years ago?

  Dr. Presnell approached her. He peered up at her, frowning slightly. “How do you do, young lady?”

  “This is the Princess Roanna Hamilton, of Chester’s Wake.” Lady Mayne placed her hand on the doctor’s shoulder.

  His frown didn’t let up, nor did his expression change. “Ah, how nice.”

  He moved on, and Roanna let out a pent-up breath. Either he had no idea who she was—and had never kidnapped her—or he was senile indeed.

  In either instance, she wouldn’t be getting her questions answered.

  Before entering the house for lunch, she threw a look toward the train station. Queen Katherine could be close to awaking. Ben was probably pacing, waiting for her return.

  The butler led them through the tight hallways into the house. He brought them to the dining room, which was larger than the other rooms. Still, it was only large enough for the table and chairs. The servers barely had room to maneuver around the diners.

  Roanna sat beside Merry, who sat to the left of her father. Merry leaned close to Baron Stern, whispering with him. Whispering about Roanna? Merry and her father seemed very close, and a quick glance around showed no presence of Merry’s mother. What had happened to the woman?

  The other diners took their seats, and Dr. Presnell sat directly across from Roanna. At this smaller table, she would be able to converse with him easily. What should she say? What would Ben tell her to say? What did she most want from him?

  Answers.

  The thought was more like a desperate prayer.

  “Dr. Presnell,” she said only loudly enough to catch his attention. Perhaps being direct would be the easiest way. “I recall hearing your name in the past. You used to travel between the kingdoms, didn’t you?”

  He raised bushy eyebrows as he focused on her. “I did. I travelled between Dawson’s Edge, Chester’s Wake, and Lox. That was many years ago, though.”

  “Why did you stop?” It might be unsafe to ask, but Dr. Presnell took the question in stride.

  “I’m an old man, Princess. Travel upsets my humors.” He smiled, and she couldn’t help smiling back. He seemed a nice enough old man.

  Did you steal me as a baby? She wanted to ask. Did you take me to Chester’s Wake and pass me off as their princess?

  Her heart pounded as she considered voicing the questions. Instead, she nodded. “I understand.” If he did know her, he was skilled at hiding his feelings.

  The diners made small talk as the servers dished out the appetizers.

  Roanna spoke when spoken to, keeping a pleasant look on her face. But her mind worked. Dr. Presnell was at lunch with the Sterns and the Maynes, two families bent on dethroning the Dawsons. Two families who felt jilted, somehow.

  Dr. Presnell was a part of that movement. He had to be, or why else would he be here?

  What if he was a part of the movement even when she was born? What if he stole her away from the Dawsons in order to aid that cause?

  Somehow, she knew it was true.

  “Let us speak freely.” Her words surprised even herself, but she had years of experience at hiding her true feelings so she went on smoothly. “Lady Merry spoke of an alliance between your families and Chester’s Wake. My father, the king, is uneasy with the loyalties of the Dawson family. What should I tell him in regards to a possible alliance?”

  The chatter ceased, and Merry stared at her, her mouth dangling open.

  Baron Stern took a moment to answer, but when he did, his voice was firm. “We would welcome Chester’s Wake’s alliance. Perhaps my daughter was hasty in her manner of recruitment,” he shot a look Merry’s way, “but make no mistake, we are happy to make negotiations. You may pass these words on to your father.”

  “What of your engagement to Ambassador Dawson?” Lady Mayne asked. She leaned forward eagerly.

  Roanna remembered Lady Mayne’s unthoughtful words at Lady Gretchen’s estate—letting Roanna know about Roland’s former engagement. Mother had later confided what little she knew; Roland had been engaged but left his own fiancé standing at the altar all those years ago.

  “Roland will never hear of these tidings from my mouth,” she said without hesitation. No, he would likely hear it from King Dawson himself.

  Baron Stern nodded gravely. “Then I will look forward to hearing from King Hamilton.”

  “I hope it will be as soon as possible.” She pretended to prepare for a bite of food then paused. “Has your resistance already begun? Merry tells me there was an attack at the palace.”

  Baron Stern kept her gaze, unwavering. He seemed to be measuring her loyalty. At last, he nodded once. “I would be more comfortable discussing such matters with your father, but our efforts have intensified of late.”

  “And what is the meaning behind all of this? Why attack at all?” Something inside her pressed for answers. She needed to know more, if these might be the types of people behind her disappearance as a baby.

  Baron Stern straightened his shoulders. He sat tall and proud. Intimidating.

  Roanna refused to shrink.

  “Dawson’s Edge has long been held back from advancement by the Dawson family. We would join the rest of the civilized world in stomping out anomalies. Chester’s Wake practices Termination, does it not?”

  Chills spread across Roanna’s arms. Termination? Then they truly did mean to destroy the royal family.

 
“We do.” She worked to keep her voice calm. “Though I must admit, I don’t care for the practice myself. I work closely with the orphanages that house the Rejected.”

  Baron Stern’s eyebrows rose, but he didn’t take her words as a challenge. He nodded. “We would be happy to join with Chester’s Wake in this endeavor.”

  She forced a smile and took a bite, and the meal resumed.

  Dr. Presnell seemed unfazed by the conversation. His fork rattled against his fine china as he took another bite.

  After a few more minutes of eating, the Sterns’ butler entered the dining room with a slight bow. “Princess Roanna, your driver has brought a message from your train. Your presence has been requested.”

  Roanna feigned surprise. “Oh! Well, then, I suppose I should be on my way. My itinerary didn’t include staying on for lunch, but I’m glad I stayed nonetheless.” She stood, and the others at the table pushed to their feet the way they would do if she were royalty of their own country. “I hope we shall be in touch.” She smiled.

  Merry rushed to her side. “I will show you out, of course.”

  Roanna bid the rest of the table good-bye. Then Merry walked her to the door.

  “I apologize for embarrassing you,” Roanna said. “But I felt an urgency to put the issue in the open. It appears my instincts were correct.”

  Merry smiled. “I understand. Our cause could use the clout of the Chester’s Wake royal family.” She paused then bit her lip and looked down.

  “What is it, Merry?” Roanna pressed. Whatever was going on in Merry’s head was obviously causing embarrassment.

  “Would you tell Gregory I said hello?”

  Roanna’s eyebrows stretched upward. “Gregory? Of course. I would be happy to.”

  Relief filled Merry’s eyes. “Thank you. I would really appreciate it.”

  Roanna smiled and promised she would be in touch. At last, she left Merry behind as the white auto rushed her toward the train station.

  70

  Ben paced the train platform as Roanna approached. Was he upset with her for taking so long? When she drew closer, he stopped pacing and crossed his arms.