“Are you worried about being on the river tomorrow?” she asked.

  “I don’t know…”

  Hearing the hesitation in his voice, she knew he was afraid. “I would be surprised if you weren’t a little uneasy,” she said gently. “I know how I can overthink something that scares me. I can worry and get overly anxious, and that just makes it seem all the worse. But when I actually do whatever it is I’m dreading and it turns out just fine, I realize my worrying was for nothing.”

  Mishka didn’t say anything.

  “You’ve become a good swimmer, Mishka. And Kat and I will be with you. There really is nothing to worry about. Can you trust me about that?”

  “I guess so.” Mishka kicked a pinecone. “Kat’s afraid of flying in airplanes. That’s why we don’t go to our island house.”

  “Is that because your mom died in a plane accident?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, here’s the truth. I’m a little scared about flying too.”

  “You are?” He blinked. “But you’re so brave.”

  “Well, thank you. But I do get uncomfortable when I fly in planes.”

  “But you do it anyway?”

  “Do you want to know what my secret is when I fly? It’s something you could use on the river trip tomorrow.”

  He nodded, fully attentive.

  “I imagine myself in God’s hands. And I know that I’ll be fine. No matter what.”

  “Was Mama truly in God’s hands?”

  Meredith carefully considered her answer. They’d been down this road before, but she knew it was important to him. “Well, I never knew your mother, Mishka, but I believe she was in God’s hands. And I believe she’s with God now.”

  “In heaven? Like Grandmama says?”

  “I sure wouldn’t argue with the queen.”

  “No, you don’t want to argue with Grandmama,” he said seriously.

  His grasp on her hand was looser as they walked back toward the house. To distract him from the more serious subjects, she asked him about wild animals that lived in Austria, and like a little walking encyclopedia, he began to tell her about brown bear, wild boar, red foxes, and the national bird, the black eagle.

  “I wonder if we’ll see any wild animals while we’re on the river tomorrow. That would be exciting.”

  “Rivers are natural habitats for wild animals,” he pointed out. “Especially birds.”

  “Do you have any binoculars?”

  “Papa has some in his room. Do you think he would mind if I use them?”

  “I would think he’d be glad for you to have them,” she answered.

  After all, Mishka was a prince. Surely he should be able to borrow some binoculars. If it turned out to be a problem, she would take the blame. Not that it seemed likely the missing father would be privy to this anyway. She tried not to feel irritated at the absent parent, but it did seem neglectful. Really, was he that busy? Or was he just off enjoying his entitled lifestyle? And why was she being so judgmental?

  Meredith was a little bit uneasy about driving the children to the boat launch location. She did have an international driver’s license, but this was transporting royalty. What if they got into some sort of fender-bender or, God forbid, a real wreck? But she was being extra cautious, reminding herself that she’d safely driven under frightening conditions in Papua New Guinea. Plus she’d gotten good practice on her day off and felt comfortable with the vehicle. Just the same, she’d asked God’s blessing for a safe trip before leaving the driveway. Kat snickered, and Mishka said, “Amen.”

  All in all, it was a pleasant drive with beautiful scenic countryside you could only find in the rolling Alpine hills of Austria. It took a bit longer to arrive at the dock than she expected, but fortunately, the boat was still there when they arrived.

  “This is exciting.” She led them to the boat, holding onto Mishka’s somewhat clammy hand. His brow was furrowed. “We are going to have a terrific day,” she reassured him. “You are going to love this adventure.”

  His grip tightened on her hand.

  Meredith had forwarded the tickets to Kat’s phone, so she could be in charge. Acting very grown up, Kat presented the image to the man in front of the gangplank, speaking in perfect German that the ticket was for all three of them.

  “Danke.” He tipped his head.

  “Here we go.” Meredith gave Mishka’s hand a warm squeeze.

  Although the river air was cool, both children wanted to sit out on the open front deck. Before long, they were settled in with wool blankets, and the boat was slowly pulling away from the dock, gently moving down the river. They all sat there in silence for a while, soaking in the morning quietness. When Meredith noticed others with beverages, she suddenly craved a good cup of coffee. “Would you guys like a cocoa?” she asked. Both agreed that was a good idea.

  “You and Mishka stay here and save our seats,” Kat suggested. “I can get our drinks.”

  “Thank you.” Meredith started to open her purse.

  “I can buy them,” Kat told her.

  “Well, thank you very much, Kat.” Meredith smiled. It was fun seeing Kat acting so mature and responsible. She watched as the girl walked away, back straight, and shoulders squared, looking almost regal. Meredith could imagine her years from now, fulfilling her royal destiny. She slipped an arm around Mishka’s shoulders, giving him a gentle squeeze. “How are you doing, buddy?”

  “Good,” he said bravely. “It’s better than I thought.”

  She pointed to a large bird flying nearby. “What do you think that is?”

  He raised the binoculars, taking a moment to focus, then told her it was a goose. “Looks like a Graylag goose,” he clarified.

  “It’s pretty.” She noticed an older couple watching with interest as Mishka described the goose’s habits.

  “Your son is bright,” the woman told Meredith.

  She was tempted to tell her that she was Mishka’s governess but decided not to. “Yes, he is well read.” She smiled. “Are you Americans?”

  “Yes,” the woman said. “Are you?”

  Meredith nodded, exercising caution about sharing too much information. Not just because of her Vienna experience but for the sake of the children too. Caring for these two out in public felt a bit like guarding a royal treasure.

  “I noticed a British accent,” the woman glanced at Mishka.

  “The children do have a British connection.” She decided to be evasive. “What part of America are you from?”

  “Iowa,” the woman said. “This European trip is to celebrate our fortieth anniversary. Four weeks to see it all.”

  “Sounds like fun. Congratulations.” Meredith smiled politely and to keep the woman from questioning her further, got her talking about her and her husband’s print shop business. When the woman excused herself, Meredith turned away and focused on Mishka. Perhaps she was being hyper protective or even rude, but she preferred caution over regret. She glanced at the food area, concerned about Kat being out of sight. But then she spotted her, efficiently carrying a tray of drinks as well as a small white bag.

  “I got us treats too,” Kat said as Meredith took the beverage tray from her.

  “How thoughtful.” Meredith smiled. “Thank you, Kat.”

  Soon they were enjoying their drinks and pastries and admiring the scenery all around them. Before long, they began to peel off jackets and enjoy the warm sunshine. The guide, with the help of a loudspeaker, pointed out various sights, vineyards, forests, abbeys, and castles while telling bits and pieces of interesting history. Meredith wasn’t sure that Kat appreciated it, but Mishka was eating it up.

  After a couple of hours, Mishka was comfortable enough to leave Meredith and walk with Kat over to the nearby railing to look down at the water. Progress!

  The boat docked at a family-owned vineyard for lunch and Meredith let Kat take the lead in choosing their table. As they were seated, Meredith could tell that people assumed she was their mother. While she didn’t mind their assumption, she would have to have been a teenaged mother to have a twelve-year-old. But she still felt flattered and probably even played along with it. As a child, she’d always imagined herself being married with children by this age. But childhood dreams and reality didn’t always line up.

  As they were getting back aboard the boat after lunch, a blonde girl about Kat’s age began trailing them a little too closely. Meredith glanced curiously at Kat then tipped her head toward the girl, as if to ask if she knew her, and Kat rolled her eyes. “From my school.”

  “Oh?” Meredith smiled then spoke quietly. “Did you say hello to her?”

  “No.” With a sour expression, she turned up her nose.

  Meredith knew better than to push Kat but wished the girl would be more congenial. Mishka ran ahead to secure their previous seats on the boat’s front deck, but they’d barely sat down when the blonde girl sat next to Kat. With arms folded in front, Kat turned toward Meredith with a dark scowl. Knowing it was useless to reprimand Kat for her rudeness, she decided to reach out to the girl.

  “I hear you go to Kat’s school,” she spoke over Kat’s head, which was probably making Miss Congeniality even madder. “Are you traveling with someone?”

  “Just my parents.” She motioned toward the bar where a number of adults were ordering their adult beverages.

  “I’m Meredith.” She used her schoolteacher tone. “What’s your name?”

  “Kalina.” The girl gave her a slightly devious smile. “What’s wrong with the queen?”

  “The queen?” Meredith lowered her voice. “Are you referring to Queen Katerina in Rotslavia?” She was on her guard now. “As far as I know, she is fine.”

  “No.” The cheeky girl snickered. “I mean the queen right here. I guess she doesn’t know how to talk to her friends.”

  “She can talk just fine…with her friends.” Meredith wanted to add that Kalina obviously was not one of Kat’s friends but remembered the talk she’d recently given Kat. “But I suspect she doesn’t feel overly friendly to someone who calls her the queen.”

  Kalina rolled her eyes in a way that almost put Kat’s expressions to shame then shrugged. Meredith glanced at Kat, whose face looked stony, then turned back to Kalina. “But I am curious why you feel entitled to call Princess Katerina the queen. Apparently, you feel it’s permissible to address royalty with such disdain. Or perhaps you’re not a citizen of Rotslavia.” She noticed a middle-aged pair approaching with wine glasses and, judging by their expressions, probably Kalina’s parents. “Is this a custom your mother and father have embraced?” She smiled at the couple, now taking the seats next to Kalina. “I assume you’re Kalina’s parents?”

  The couple casually confirmed this and in somewhat broken English introduced themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Nemitz, clearly making their daughter quite uncomfortable and drawing Kat’s full attention at what promised to be an interesting scene. Acting nonchalant, Meredith introduced herself, enjoying Kalina’s obvious discomfort. “You may already know that your daughter is a classmate of Princess Katerina.” She indicated Kat. “And I am honored to be governess to the princess and her brother, Prince George.” She nodded to Mishka, sitting on her other side.

  Mrs. Nemitz’s brows arched. “Princess Katerina? Oh, my! And Prince George too.” She politely tipped her head in something of a bow toward Kat. “We’re honored to meet you, Princess Katerina.”

  “I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Kat replied in a tone that would probably make her grandmama proud.

  “What a pleasant surprise,” Mr. Nemitz said in better English, but with widened eyes. “Imagine, traveling with royalty. It’s an honor.” He frowned slightly at his daughter. “You did not tell us one of your classmates was the princess of Rotslavia.”

  Kalina replied quickly in what Meredith assumed was their native Slavic language, since it was unintelligible. This was followed by what sounded like a stern albeit quiet Slavic reprimand from her father and a glaring frown from her mother. Meanwhile, Kat appeared to be suppressing laughter.

  Meredith turned to Kat. “I don’t know about you, but I’d love a cup of tea.”

  “Yes, I would too.” Kat stood, looking eager to escape. “I can get it.”

  “If you don’t mind.” Meredith winked. “Perhaps Kalina would like to join you.”

  Of course, Kat’s response was a hostile glare, but at least her back was toward the Nemitzes.

  “Yes, Kalina,” her mother urged. “You go with Princess Katerina. Help her fetch tea.”

  “Yes, Mother.” Kalina stood, sighing in clear reluctance.

  After the girls left, Meredith endured the Nemitzes’ curiosity about what royal children did on summer holiday, why they weren’t in their homeland, and where their father was. Without giving out any real information, Meredith fielded their questions. Finally excusing herself, she turned her attention to Mishka, who had just spotted some ducks he wanted to point out.

  After what seemed more than enough time, and hoping Kat hadn’t shoved her cheeky classmate overboard, Meredith spied the two girls returning with drinks. To her relief, judging by their surprisingly pleasant countenances, the girls had begun to mend their broken bridge. Unless this was an act to appease and impress Kalina’s parents, although Meredith could hardly imagine Kat being amiable to that. But after the two girls gave Meredith and Mishka their drinks, they carried their sodas up to the boat’s bow, apparently still interested in conversing. Slightly stunned by this new development, Meredith decided that Princess Katerina might actually be a contestant for the Miss Congeniality award after all. One could hope.

  15

  Meredith and the children had dinner at a small café in town on their way home. Both children, though tired, seemed happy about their outing. And Kat was extraordinarily pleased with her new friendship with Kalina. As it turned out, Kalina had thought Kat was a snob before their encounter on the river boat, but during the course of the afternoon, the girls had discovered they had much in common—from sports to music taste and disliking some of the truly snobby girls at their school. They had traded cell phone numbers, and by the time Meredith turned up the drive at the villa, had exchanged at least a dozen or more text messages.

  “Papa!” Mishka exclaimed as Meredith parked in front of the house.

  “What?” Meredith looked all around.

  “Over there by the carriage house,” Kat said. “I see him too.”

  As they got out of the car, Meredith felt an unexpected rush of nerves. She hadn’t expected to see their father this soon. Hadn’t Mrs. Warner said he wouldn’t be back for a while longer? But instead of showing her uneasiness, she fixed a smile on her face and followed the children, who were squealing with delight and running toward their father. Kat got there first, throwing her arms around Spencer. Meredith, not far behind Mishka, was about to greet him too, but couldn’t even get a word out of her mouth before Spencer began scolding her.

  “You took the children on the river today?” he demanded. “For the whole day?”

  “Mrs. Warner—she said it was okay,” she stammered.

  “Mrs. Warner is not in charge.”

  “Well, you have not been around to instruct me as to what—”

  “Papa,” Kat interrupted her. “We had a lovely time on the Danube. Don’t be vexed at Meredith.”

  “Miss Cardwell,” he corrected her.

  “I’ve told them to call me Meredith, or Meri,” she countered.

  “Please, Papa, don’t be vexed at Meri,” Mishka echoed, grabbing hold of Meredith’s hand. “We like her.”

  Spencer appeared tongue tied but smiled stiffly. “My apologies, Miss Cardwell. I was worried about the children’s welfare. I didn’t mean to insinuate you did any intentional wrong. But security is very important to me.”

  “I didn’t realize…” She bit her lip.

  “No, I don’t suppose you would.” His tone softened slightly. “I think of the villa as being rather secure. You’ve probably noticed the system we have here.”

  “Not really.” She glanced around.

  “See the cams on the house.” He pointed to a black object that she assumed was a security camera.

  “Oh, of course.” She was grateful for the dusky light that wouldn’t show her reddened cheeks. Partly from embarrassment and partly from her frustration at being treated like a child.

  “When you are here with the children,” he continued, “I am reassured of their safety. But if you leave the villa…well, that’s another matter.” He pursed his lips. “And something we can address later.” He knelt down, extending his arms to Mishka. “Because right now, I need a big hug from Mishka Bear.”

  “Please, excuse me,” she said quietly. As he chatted with his children, she made a hasty exit to the house and upstairs to her suite. Fortunately, it was nearly bedtime. She hoped she wouldn’t be forced to encounter Master Spencer, as Mrs. Warner called him, until tomorrow. And then, even if he presented her walking papers, she wouldn’t complain. Oh, she’d be sad to leave the children, but she had enough money for airfare home and, according to Carrie’s text message that had just come through on her cell phone, the rushed passport had arrived at the US Consulate this afternoon. Maybe her stint as the royal nanny had really come to an end. So be it.

  Yet, she knew she wasn’t ready to leave. As she paced back and forth in her suite, she wondered how difficult it would be to tell the children goodbye. Kat might be glad to see her go, but Mishka would be sad. Somehow, she needed to do whatever she could to make her inevitable departure easier on him.

  Although she was tempted to get ready for bed and allow Spencer to see to his own children’s bedtime, she knew that as the nanny, it was still her responsibility. Not eager for another scolding, she listened until she heard the children’s footsteps and voices before sticking her head out. Mishka spotted her and rushed over.

  “Where did you go?” he asked with wide eyes.

  “Just up here.” She smiled and stepped out. “Are you heading up for bed now?”