Both children frowned in silence. Apparently one didn’t argue with the queen.

  “I’m afraid it’s time for me to go too,” Meredith said quietly. “I was about to tell you that. I’m all packed and I wanted to say goodbye this—”

  “No!” Mishka leaped from his chair so quickly that his plate slipped to the floor, shattering into a mess of porcelain and scrambled eggs. “You can’t leave us, Meri.”

  “Miss Meredith needs to go,” Spencer told him.

  “Why?” Kat demanded. “Just because we’re going back to Rotslavia? Why does that mean she has to go? Why can’t she go back with us?”

  Although she was touched by Kat’s devotion, Meredith knew the right answer. “You have your old nanny,” she said gently. “She sounds like a sweet woman—”

  “I don’t want my old nanny,” Mishka shouted. He balled his fists and turned to his father. “I want Meri.”

  “I want Meri too.” Kat’s tone was matter-of-fact, but her creased brow and folded arms looked serious.

  “Don’t let her go, Papa, please,” Mishka pleaded. “We need her.”

  Moved by their loyalty, Meredith was tongue-tied. She stood, twisting her napkin and gazing at the two angry children. “I have loved being with you, Mishka and Kat. More than you can imagine and more than I thought possible. But your father is right. It’s time for everyone to go home.” She blinked to hold in tears. “But I’m hoping we can stay in touch—through letters and things—” Her voice cracked with emotion. “But, really—it’s time—to say good—bye.”

  Unable to speak coherently, she tossed down the napkin and hurried from the dining room, sprinting up the stairs. In her suite’s bathroom, she did her best to mop up her tears and washed her face in cold water until she was able to take in some deep breaths.

  Calm, calm, calm…

  God’s ways were higher than hers. She believed that. So why was she being so juvenile about this? She hadn’t experienced this much emotion when David had abandoned her in Papua New Guinea, yet she’d claimed he’d broken her heart. So what was this? And what was wrong with her?

  She was just gathering her thoughts along with the cheesy canvas bag packed with her few thrift-store belongings when she heard a quiet knocking on the door. She hoped it was Mrs. Warner with an arrangement for her ride. Instead she opened the door to see Spencer, wearing a sheepish expression, and Mishka and Kat right behind him, still looking rather feisty.

  “Can we talk to you?” Spencer asked.

  “Of course.” She waited, hoping she was done with tears by now and that they didn’t show.

  “We have arrived at a small compromise,” he began. “If you are amiable to it. Actually, it was Kat’s idea, but Mishka and I agreed.”

  “A compromise?” She tipped her head to one side.

  “Mrs. Warner said you needed a ride to Vienna. And we are going to Vienna. What if we all go together? We can spend two or three days there. I have the suite at the Ritz with plenty of room. Would that be agreeable to you?”

  Meredith felt uncertain. What was the sense of prolonging this agony?

  “Please, say yes,” Mishka begged.

  “We can have fun,” Kat suggested hopefully.

  “You never got to see the good part of Vienna,” Spencer pointed out. “You had such a bad experience when you arrived. You really should give the city a second chance.”

  “We can go on the Giant Ferris Wheel,” Mishka said hopefully.

  “And see the Lipizzaner horses,” Kat added. “They’re so beautiful.”

  “You do make it sound tempting.” Meredith had hoped to spend a little time in Vienna, and it was hard to turn down the Ritz. Not to mention a couple more days with the children. But still…

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” Spencer smiled, and the children cheered. “I’ll give everyone until noon to get packed, and then we are off.” He produced two bags, one good-sized and one small. “Mrs. Warner said you may need these.”

  Meredith felt slightly dizzy as she thanked him, took the luggage into her room, and closed her door. Had she really agreed to this? Was she going to regret it? It wasn’t too late to back out. She shot up a silent prayer, begging for direction. What was the best route to take? Cut the ties before it hurt more? But her phone was chiming. To her surprise, it was her father.

  “Dad?” she exclaimed. “Is this really you?”

  “It’s me, Meri. It’s late here. We had to stop in a small town in Oregon to pick up packages at the Post Office, and we’re spending the night in a cheap hotel. I would’ve called sooner, but my phone was dead, and then I took a hot shower and fell asleep. But I wanted to call before we head out in the morning.”

  “It’s so good to hear your voice. How are you? Staying well?”

  “I feel better than ever. The first week was tough, but we’re pacing ourselves better now. Tom had a foot problem, but I think we got that solved. How are you? I read your text then read it again to the guys. We’re all curious as to how it’s going working for royalty.”

  “Oh, Dad, it’s been wonderful and horrible.”

  “That deserves some explanation, Meri.”

  She launched into the whole story—how she loved these kids, and how their dad came back earlier, and how her job was supposed to end today, and then the prospects of going to Vienna with them. “The kids really want me to go.”

  “And their father?”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s Spencer’s way of appeasing them. But I’m worried it’ll just make things worse.”

  “Worse for the kids? Or for you?”

  She considered this. “I guess for me.”

  “What is their father like?”

  She briefly described Spencer, perhaps painting him in even better light than deserved, but nothing untrue. And perhaps what he would one day be. “I think he wants to be a good dad, but he just doesn’t quite know how.”

  “Maybe you’re helping him?”

  “I don’t know about that. Maybe.”

  “Well, I’m no expert on these things, but I think you should go with the royals to Vienna, spend a little more time with this struggling family. Really, what could it hurt? You may have an enjoyable time. Take a risk, Meri. You’ve always been an adventuresome gal. Maybe something unexpected will come of it.”

  She explained how she’d just been praying for direction.

  “Seems like God was listening.” Dad chuckled. “That is, if you trust your old man’s judgment.”

  “You know I do, Dad. More than anyone.”

  “Well, I say go for it, Meri. And text me the details as they unfold. I want to read all about your adventure when we get back in range, which should be about a week—God willing and the creek don’t rise. Or wildfires.”

  She laughed. “Okay then. If I’m really going, I better get packed, or they’ll be leaving without me.”

  “Get to it, girl.” He told her he loved her and that she was always in his prayers.

  “I love you too, Dad. I pray for all of you brave hikers every day. Be safe.”

  After she hung up, she dumped out her flimsy canvas bag into the small case then opened the wardrobe. Once she decided what would be useful in Vienna for a few days, she packed the items neatly into the bigger suitcase. Part of her thought this was the stupidest thing she could possibly do, but another part of her felt excited and hopeful. After all, Dad had given her a big green light. She was going!

  18

  Because the fancy suite at the Ritz had only two bedrooms other than the master, Meredith suggested she share a room with Kat. “Or with Mishka, if that’s preferable,” she added when Kat’s eyes flashed in alarm. She must’ve overstepped.

  “Yes, yes, Meri. You must stay in my room,” Mishka insisted as he opened the door to reveal a nice room with two twin beds.

  “No,” Kat said abruptly. “Meri will stay with me. Girls stick together.” She opened her door to reveal a good-sized room with two queen beds and its own bath.

  “That sounds like a sensible plan,” Meredith agreed.

  “Not to me.” Mishka’s lower lip stuck out as he dragged his bag into his bedroom.

  “I’ll still tuck you in at night,” Meredith called out as a compromise. She was surprised Kat was willing to share her room and, judging by Spencer’s expression, he was too. “I can help you unpack too.” She followed him into the smaller room.

  “Okay,” he conceded, “but I still don’t think it’s fair Kat gets to have you.”

  “Well, maybe I can bunk with you tomorrow.” She opened his case. “Take turns.”

  He brightened. “And you have to ride with me on the Giant Ferris Wheel too. Remember, I asked you first.”

  She laughed. “I would love that.” She helped him unpack then went into Kat’s room to unpack her own things. Kat was sitting cross-legged on her bed, hunched over her phone, suitcase still packed and on the floor.

  “I bet you’re texting Kalina,” Meredith said as she opened a case.

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Does she live anywhere near your home in Rotslavia? Near the palace?”

  “No. She lives about thirty minutes away in a farming community.”

  “That’s not so far. Maybe she could come visit you sometimes. Have you ever had friends at the palace?”

  Kat looked up with wide eyes. “No. I…I’m not sure Grandmama would approve.”

  Meredith frowned. “Why not?”

  “I don’t know for sure. But she’s kind of protective of us.” Kat wrinkled her nose. “As in overprotective. She treats me like a child.” Her mouth twisted to one side. “Yet she keeps expecting me to act like an adult.”

  “That sounds a little confusing.”

  “You’re telling me.” Eye roll.

  Meredith smiled. “Well, I think a lot of parents, probably grandparents too, get a little flustered when kids are adolescents. It’s probably more complicated for a royal family.”

  “Everything is more complicated for a royal family.” She tossed down her phone. “That’s one reason I like being at the villa for summer holiday. It’s like we can forget all that for a while.”

  “That makes sense. I’m sorry your holiday at the villa was cut short. We were having such a nice time.”

  “Grandmama must have her way.” Kat pounded a pillow then looked up. “Meredith, why don’t you come to the palace with us? You’d be better than old Mrs. Bosko.”

  “But she sounds nice.”

  “She’s old. And Grandmama keeps her under her thumb.”

  “Ah-hah.” Meredith grinned. “And you think Queen Katerina wouldn’t keep me under her thumb?”

  Kat seemed to consider this. “I don’t think she could. I’ve seen you stand up to Papa. And you’re an independent American. I’ll bet you could stand up to Grandmama.”

  Meredith suddenly imagined the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, screaming “off with her head” and wondered how she’d fare. It was such a silly image, she couldn’t help but giggle.

  “What is it?” Kat demanded. “What’s so funny?”

  Meredith, who was laughing harder now, described the crazy image and soon they were in stitches.

  “What’s going on in there?” Spencer called out. “A slumber party in the middle of the afternoon?”

  “Just unpacking,” Meredith called back. “And laughing.”

  “Well, the menfolk are raring to go. George claims he has a date with you for the Giant Ferris Wheel.”

  Meredith opened the door. “That’s right. He does.”

  “Then let’s get going. Geoff made us a reservation for an early dinner, and then we’ll head for the big wheel.”

  “I wonder if we’ll need light jackets or sweaters.” Meredith held up a cardigan she’d brought along. “For later when we’re on the Ferris Wheel.”

  “Good thought,” Spencer agreed. “It can get breezy up there.”

  As the others gathered some warmer outer-clothes, Geoff came over to talk to Meredith. “The master asked me to secure your Eurail train pass and airline ticket, miss. But I will need your passport information to do that.”

  “It can wait until tomorrow, Geoff.” Spencer was herding the children to the door. “We need to be on our way.”

  “Right, sir,” Geoff said. “The car is waiting in front.”

  “Off we go,” Spencer said cheerfully.

  The four of them dining in the elegant French restaurant was foreign to Meredith. Yes, she was in a foreign country, but it was more than that. She felt like she was an actor in a film about another family. And the way they were treated by wait staff, they were in on it too. Was it because they knew they were serving a royal family? Did they assume she was part of it? The mother of these children? She had no idea. It was disconcerting…yet pleasant. And she didn’t like that it felt pleasant. This was not something she should get used to.

  After dinner, they were dropped off near the Giant Ferris Wheel. Spencer already had tickets on his phone, so they didn’t have to wait in the ticket line—not that the line was long anyway. Meredith peered up at the giant wheel in the dusky sky. It was beautiful with its lights and rotation, but it was also incredibly high. They weren’t kidding when they called it giant. She’d never been terribly fond of heights, but this wasn’t the time to confess her phobia. Besides, she was trying new things—being adventurous, as Dad had said.

  It was almost their turn, and she was holding onto Mishka’s hand, telling herself it was for his sake but knowing it was for her own.

  “This is going to be fun,” he said with enthusiasm as they moved forward. But just as their turn to board came, Kat pushed forward and grabbed her little brother’s hand.

  “You’re riding with me,” she told him, practically dragging him on. He looked too stunned to respond, and then they were loaded and buckled in.

  “What on earth?” Meredith watched the wheel rotate higher, Kat grinning and waving and Mishka looking dumbfounded.

  “Looks like you’re stuck with me,” Spencer said.

  The man helping load was urging them forward in German. Meredith had no choice but to step forward, fumbling to get in the seat as Spencer slipped in next to her.

  “What is up with Kat?” she said as they began to move up after being buckled into their seat. “Since when does she prefer Mishka to you?”

  “It’s mysterious,” he said, but he didn’t seem too displeased, which in her opinion was equally mysterious. She would have to get to the bottom of it later. “Are you frightened?” he asked after their car slightly jerked.

  “No, of course, not,” she snapped.

  He pointed to her death grip on the bar in front of them, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Okay, I guess I’m a little uncomfortable. I’m not great with heights.” She kept her eyes on him instead of looking down. “I don’t like flying in planes either.”

  “Kat hates flying in planes,” he said. “But she’s been on this before with no problem.”

  “Apparently.”

  “You’re perfectly safe.” He smiled and then slipped an arm around her shoulders. Despite that she told herself it was a brotherly squeeze, she felt an electric tingling that suggested it could be more. To her surprise, she began to relax. As their car continued rotating, he pointed out various sights below, and when a breeze came up and she shivered, he tightened his hold on her, sending a pleasant rush through her. Still, she scolded herself. Not happening.

  After the Giant Ferris Wheel stopped, too soon for Meredith’s liking, it was dark outside, and despite the children’s request for snacks, Spencer insisted they needed to get back to the hotel. She wasn’t sure, but she thought he was worried about something. Security perhaps? They loaded themselves into the SUV, and Geoff drove them back to the Ritz, where Meredith thought she spotted some extra security guards watching over them. Hopefully, there was no real danger. But once they were in the suite, Spencer and Geoff seemed to be conferring on something of importance, because Spencer just told the children goodnight then continued talking with Geoff and checking his phone.

  Meredith decided her best course, as a responsible nanny, was to act as if all were well. And for all she knew, it was. She got Mishka tucked into bed, listened to his prayers, and kissed him goodnight. She was tempted to ask him about the switcheroo on the giant wheel but decided to save that for Kat. But Kat was glued to her phone, probably with Kalina, so Meredith decided to just get ready for bed. Perhaps Kat would want to talk when she finished.

  But by the time Meredith got into bed, Kat had already slipped into her bed with her light off and appeared to be sleeping. Meredith had her suspicions, but since she was tired, she decided to let it ride until morning. Maybe it didn’t matter. Maybe Kat was just having a moment of big-sister love. It could happen.

  The next day was a whirlwind of activities. In the morning they visited the Spanish Riding School for a Lipizzaner rehearsal, which was so fabulous Meredith could only imagine what a real performance would be like. Since there wasn’t one scheduled while they’d be in Vienna, they had to settle for this.

  “I can’t believe this is where they rehearse,” Meredith said to Kat. “The beautiful architecture complete with these enormous crystal chandeliers. It looks like a palace.”

  “Aren’t the horses elegant?” Kat gushed. “I begged Papa to buy me a Lipizzaner Stallion when I was a little girl, and he just laughed.”

  “Do you like to ride?”

  “I love to ride. I have a white Arabian named Perun. That means lightning bolt, but he’s not really that fast.”

  “You must miss him.”

  “That’s one thing I look forward to when we go home.” Her eyes lit up. “Do you ride?”

  “I took dressage lessons in high school. We couldn’t really afford it, but I begged my dad, and he allowed me to clean stalls to help pay for it. I loved riding and horses but quickly learned that was for rich people. And we were not.” She sighed. Kat looked sympathetic.

  “We have a lot of horses. If you come with us to Rotslavia, you could have one to ride.”