Outside, camera’s flashed as they hurried to the car. They scooted past the driver who held open the door and when he closed them inside, Suzanne squealed.
“We’re famous – or at least you are. Please drag me to the top of the ladder with you.”
“Keep your feet on the ground, Suzanne. We have ten more days to enjoy this island. We’re just going to do it from a different view point.”
The driver had taken his place in the front seat and Megan heard his slight chuckle. “What’s so funny?” she asked.
“I trust you will enjoy your stay at the castle, Miss, for you will not be able to return peacefully to stay at this hotel again.”
“Reporters are rather suffocating, aren’t they?” said Megan.
“The royal family have grown up with it, but fame overnight, such as in your case, will take adjustment.”
“I won’t be leaving the grounds without Ryan, so I’m not worried,” said Megan.
The man in the front cleared his throat as he reached toward the ignition. “His Majesty Ryannaus is his title Miss, even inside the castle.”
After the motor started, Suzanne leaned in and whispered. “A bit stuffy, isn’t he?”
“It’s his job and Suzanne don’t be surprised if you find this whole adventure a bit stuffy.”
“Not with James around. He’s a riot.”
“He also holds a high position with the royals. His first duty is to the family, not you,” said Megan. “But don’t take it personally; it’s the way of the monarchy.”
The drawbridge began to lower when the limo signaled the guard at the gate. With only one tour scheduled a day, access to the castle was on invitation basis only, unless you wanted to swim and risk any unfriendly sea creatures lurking in the moat below. The entry into the main courtyard door swung open and the limo drove inside. Megan watched it shut behind them.
“We are locked in, Suzanne. Hopefully not as prisoners of the state.” She chuckled but Megan suspected she heard a slight ripple in her friend’s laughter. Good; it would keep her on her toes.
They drove through the next set of doors that opened into the inner court. Guards stood at every entrance along that verandah, straight-faced but watchful. The driver got out and opened the car door on Suzanne’s side, offering a gloved hand to help her out. Megan suspected she should wait her turn, just in case royalty peered out the window. First impressions were important and she needed all the help she could get. He came around and assisted her from the vehicle then went to retrieve their luggage from the trunk. A young girl full of exuberance, exited the castle, with a middle-aged woman at her heels. When she reached Megan, she spoke, “Are you Ryan’s sweetie or is the redhead?”
Megan grinned at her frankness. “I’d be the one,” she said and reached out her hand in greeting. When the girl eagerly responded, her hand was snatched back by the woman who hovered over her.
“May I present, Princess Jasmine, who is far too friendly for her own good.”
Megan ignored the overly protective woman. “Your brother raves about you, Princess Jasmine; claims you have a kindred spirit.”
“Oh, yes, we do!” said Jasmine, the strong hand of her guardian the only force holding her feet from jumping on the spot. “He also said I would love you, and I believe it may be true. Your smile is not phoney or put on to appease royalty.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” Megan bent lower towards the excited child’s ear. “I suspect that as a visitor to your country, my casualness confirms the fact that I have no idea how to act among royalty.” That brought a giggle from the girl.
The car pulled away and disappeared into what Megan concluded must be the garage. She wondered if Suzanne’s coach would be in there and James had access to make her dream come true.
Jasmine called out to workers standing off to the left awaiting acknowledgment. “Bring the ladies bags to their rooms,” the child said, then grabbed Megan’s hand before it could be snatched away. Together, they entered the living quarters of the royal family. Megan cast numerous warning glances behind her for Suzanne to keep the pace as they passed through the entrance hall – much like the one in the tour – and headed to the stairway that wound in grandeur style to the upper floors.
“The family suites are in the west wing on the second floor and special guests are permitted on the third in the east wing.” Her next words held a hint of mockery as she chanted what Megan supposed had been drilled into the child; “One must not interact with third-level guests on a personal level. But I love visiting up there when no one is in residence. My imagination knows no boundaries and Ryan and I have slayed many dragons.”
Jasmine had stopped while she chatted and Megan asked, “Is that where our rooms are?”
“Heavens, no! My brother would not hear of it, but he did agree to allowing Mum to place his guests in the east wing on the second floor. You must be very special for Queen Mum to back down on protocol.”
Jasmine turned to the left and entered a carpeted hallway with alcoves on the side adorned with heavy red tapestry and tables containing what even the untrained eye could see to be rare and expensive décor. Beside every door stood a bronzed soldier in full armor. Jasmine giggled when Suzanne touched the arm of the statue.
“He’s meant to instill a false sense of security that the ghosts of the past protect the people within the rooms. I am not as much a historic buff as Ryan but I do like the idea of a ghost.”
They stopped midway. “This first one is for you, Miss Megan. My brother says I mustn’t bother you further, and let you unpack. He will arrive to pick you up for your lunch date at twelve-fifteen.” Jasmine turned to Suzanne. “James will arrive for you at the same time.” The entire schedule has been rewritten to honor your visit. Poor Mum doesn’t know what to do with herself but Eramosa and I are tickled pink for this unexpected snip of free time.”
“All in the holiday spirit,” said the woman who walked behind. “Don’t get too used to it.”
Megan wondered if the woman always quenched the child’s enthusiasm and would have asked if it not meant alienating her from visits with this delightful young princess.
The suitcases were brought inside and then the staff moved one door down to Suzanne’s room. Megan spoke as she hurried after her luggage. “I’ll see you after lunch when the men return to work.”
Jasmine giggled. “Ryan has a wonderful surprise, but I promised not to tell, so I best leave for I find it difficult to keep secrets. See you later, Miss Megan. If you’re bored, please come find me. I’m usually in the study buried in a pile of books.” She looked at her guardian. “Will school soon dismiss for the holiday?”
Their chatter faded as they moved down the hall. Megan inhaled deeply and crossed the threshold. She pulled the door closed and leaned against it for support. The hotel had been luxurious beyond her wildest dream but this suite surpassed extravagance and bordered on overindulgence. A fairy-tale world took on a whole new meaning.
The wardrobe was huge, her garments on hangers using only a quarter of the allotted space, and the base platform below provided an area to lay out her shoes. Next to the main section of the free-standing closet, Megan opened another door where a row of pull out drawers waited to be filled. She stored a few things there, which depleted the contents of her bags. A huge white vanity, trimmed in gold held her hair essentials, make-up, and jewelry. The chair that slid underneath, was round and swirled. Unable to deny the child in her, Megan pushed off, allowing her body to do a 365-degree scan of the room. On her second time around, she ground her feet into the plush carpeting as her eyes encountered the bed. A full queen-size four-poster bed with heavy curtains around the circumference to close the sleeper in, providing total darkness. She suspected she’d need it, lest she stay awake all night staring at the splendor of the tile work and detailed design of the countless distractions placed around the room.
Megan stood to her feet and moved toward an adjoining room. She peeked inside and smothered a squea
l. The bathroom décor was a mix of old and new; the clawfoot soaker tub with the water spout extending from the ceiling and a curtain one could pull for privacy. The imperial family crown-design centered on the middle wall of a stand-up shower, which was bigger in size than the open unit her entire gym class in high-school had shared. An eight-foot-long marble counter filled one wall, complete with a drop sink, gold-plated taps and two ceramic baskets containing items a visitor might forget to pack. A soft relaxing blue on the walls, complemented the yellow-gold details. The necessary toilet finished the space, not at all like the one the tour guide had described for rich people during the middle ages. They’d perched on what he called garderobes jutting out of the sides of the castles with a hole in the bottom that let everything just drop into a pit or the moat. Megan appreciated the modern touch.
As she turned to leave, her image displayed in a full wall mirror. She smiled at herself and spoke. “Well, Doctor Fairchild. This is a grand mess you’ve got yourself into. A fairy-godmother you do not have, and stringing Ryan along will not change one drop of your bloodline.” As soon as she said the words, the ornament from the North Pole popped into her mind and she silently cussed it, even more so because she’d brought it along in the top zipper of her bag. Ms. Claus had planted the princess idea into her head and she needed to shake free of its spell. She’d tell Ryan this move was a mistake the moment he came for her, and that would be that.
Megan answered the door and immediately laughed. “You look like the cat who swallowed the mouse.” The boy-prince stood with a bouquet of flowers dressed in a navy work suit, his face displaying everything contrary to his grown-up attire.
“I am thrilled you are here and can’t wipe the grin from my face. It made quite an impression on council this morning but all was forgotten when I gave them the rest of the year off. Emergencies and obligations only – all else are erased from the schedule.” He planted a quick kiss on Megan’s cheek. “All selfishly because I want to spend every available moment with you during the holidays.”
“Minus the induction ceremony, Christmas and the ball, and all the preparations that will go into those,” Megan teased.
“What I can’t do with you, will not get done. The future King has spoken.”
“I daren’t challenge the amendment of the future King,” she said in fun while all thoughts of leaving this man she adored blew to the wind. “Do I have a container to put these in water?”
“Likely not,” he said. “let’s bring them to the table and Louise will put them in a vase for you to bring back later.” He reached for her arm. “Did I mention how pleased I am to have you in my home?”
“Yes, but you may have to pinch me on occasion, as my good sense refuses to believe my eyes.”
“I am done with deception; I promise,” he said.
“This whole world you’ve thrust me into is a fairy-tale dream that others are born to and live successfully. But not me, Your Majesty. I am far too grounded for such a life-style.”
“Ryan, remember? Formal titles are used in public or when entertaining the snobby hierarchy who get a high over such distinction.” He reached for Megan’s spare hand. “And never fear that you don’t fit in, my dearest Meg. The Kingdom of Edstrom needs grounding and their thinking modernized while still preserving the old. A tight balance, but achievable.”
“Don’t worry, Ryan. I will not embarrass you while I’m here – not on purpose, anyway,” Megan said.
“So now that my everyday mundane job has been put on hold, let’s start this vacation with lunch on the terrace.”
Ryan held Megan’s arm as they descended a different set of steps to the main floor. It brought them into a homey sitting area.
“This is where we meet after dinner to talk and drink tea. If the castle housed young children, the nannies would bring them in at this time, which in the past has provided both chaos and enjoyment to end the day. On the flip side, with no youthful distractions, topics often slip into state matters and gets everyone wound up again.”
“Why don’t you play board games? I’m sure your younger sisters would enjoy that.”
“A grand idea,” said Ryan. “What do you suggest?”
“There is a store in Edstrom with shelves full of choices,” said Megan. “For lack of room in my suitcase, I only brought a deck of cards.”
“I shall send for one of every kind,” said Ryan.
“Why don’t we wait and see if the game idea sits well with the rest of your family? No sense wasting the taxpayers money.”
“Practical. That’s what I’ve been missing. I indulge my fantasies far too easily,” said Ryan. “You are so good for me, Megan.”
“Good for me, is not on my wish list for a perfect partner, if that’s what you’re hinting at.”
They continued walking toward patio doors at the far end of the room. “What is on your wish list?”
“God-fearing, honesty, integrity, a sense of humor, dedication to good causes, active in a career he loves and…” she looked at Ryan, who beamed, knowing he’d met all the criteria above. For fun she threw in the final two, “handsome is on the list, but only second to character. And finally, the most important; my Mr. Right will not simply be a man living under the same roof, but one I could not bear to live without.”
“That’s quite a list. Mine was written in the Book of Etiquette ages ago by a rigid generation of stately nobles. I think I shall re-write it. I like the personal touch of yours much better.”
“When talking marriage, the personal approach is the only criteria worth considering between two people,” said Megan.
“Well, my list shall be an easy re-write. It will encompass everything you are; for I am quickly determining you are my perfect match.”
“Let’s start with lunch, Ryan,” said Megan, shutting down that line of conversation.
“This way.” The double doors opened onto an inside court. Multi-colored stonework covered the patio floor and on it sat tables, chairs, loungers, and swings. A clear roof that allowed the sun to shine through but kept the heat at bay covered the terrace area. Ryan motioned to a table. “I arranged for the staff to seat us where we can view the gardens. I recall that you like flowers.”
“I enjoy the efforts of talented gardeners but unfortunately do not have a green thumb. I live in a condo and others make the outside attractive while I simply water my easy-to-care-for, inside plants.”
Ryan held the chair until Megan sat and then joined her on the right side so as not to spoil the magnificent view of manicured lawns, colorful plants in season, and trees of all kinds. The design created breathtaking canopies of foliage amidst the strategically planned areas.
“It’s breathtaking, Ryan. I must congratulate your gardener.”
Ryan chuckled. “That would shock him. Most complain when they see a dead bud that hasn’t been snipped or some other minor absurdity. I have taken much for granted in my lifetime and appreciate hearing fresh views.”
“Did I mention manners were on my wish list for the ideal man? Forgive me, but I thought that the wealthy would possess a good dose of social graces and show thankfulness for the underlings that pamper their prosperity.”
“Touché! Our behavior is not always so noble. Routine and age-old customs have quenched my understanding of the commoners. When spoken aloud, the excuse leaves a sour taste in my mouth. One attitude I will definitely work to change.” A man passed on the path in front of them. Ryan beckoned him over.
After a slight bow, a man in white overalls hurried to the patio table. “May I be of service, your Majesty?”
“I was just talking with my guest, Megan Fairchild, and we wanted to thank you for your tireless efforts to make this scene spectacular every day of the year. I am afraid we take you for granted and I apologize.”
The man appeared tongue-tied. He glanced at Megan and responded to her friendly smile with another bow. “No need to apologize, sir. I am paid well to provide this viewing pleasure.”
&n
bsp; “Ah, yes, but everyone appreciates a pat on the back now and then. Thank you, George. Can you work at the far end while I visit with Megan? That will be all.”
“Of course, Sir. Enjoy your lunch.” The man turned and hurried away disappearing around the corner of a winding path.
“Well done, Your Majesty,” said Megan, a wide grin lifting and reddening her high cheek-bones. “You scored well in the manners department.”
“That is my goal this entire week – to be all and more than you included on your wish list.”
“I don’t want you to appease my list. It’s either there or not. The list may need updating anyway: It appears I included none of the attributes I might find in a royal-suitor.”
“I am pursuing you, Megan Fairchild. My intentions are serious; nothing frivolous or of a temporary nature are lurking in my agenda. I realize my position may be daunting but am I so unapproachable in your eyes?”
Megan was not given the opportunity to answer. From a small door at the corner of the building, two servers and a cart emerged onto the patio. They worked in silence, pouring water in glasses and red wine in a goblet. Megan supposed this was not the time to tell the efficient staff that she did not drink alcohol. One waiter slapped a napkin open and placed it across her knee. When he turned away, she raised an eyebrow toward Ryan and smiled. Next, a bowl of Greek salad was placed in front of each of them and the two prepared to move the cart. Ryan held up his hand.
“Thank you, Simon and Louise. I ordered a cold lunch so we could have privacy. Leave the cart and we will serve ourselves.”
“Majesty?” the man appeared baffled at the request.
“Off with you now. Return in an hour. We should have left for a walk in the garden.” He picked up Megan’s bouquet. “And Louise, will you put these in water and have them delivered to Miss Fairchild’s room?”
“Yes sir,” she said. The two nodded and scuffled off. Megan heard their chatter erupt as the door closed behind them.
A Crown for Christmas Page 5