The Anti-Cinderella Conquers the World

by Tawdra Kandle

  “Five!” She held up her hand, all fingers extended. “I had a birthday last week. My mummy made me a princess party. I got to wear a crown, just like you.” Frowning now, she studied my head. I was wearing a very chic straw hat, but apparently it wasn’t what young Gwyneth hoped to see. “Where’s your crown?”

  “Well . . .” I lowered my voice, as if speaking confidentially. “You see, all the crowns in this land belong to Her Majesty the Queen.” I hooked a thumb over my shoulder. “You know, Prince Nicholas is her grandson. And she is so kind and wonderful that sometimes, she allows me to wear one. But she keeps them all in a special, secure spot. They’re guarded by very brave people.”

  Her eyes went round. “Are they big men?”

  I smothered a giggle. “Some of them are—but others are brave and smart women. No worries, all of the crowns are safe and sound. If you watch television sometimes, you might see me wearing one, but the secret is that you can be a princess even without a crown.”

  “Really?” She dimpled up. “Like it’s an imaginary crown sometimes? My mum told me when I wanted to wear my birthday crown to school that I had to imagine I had it on.”

  “That’s exactly right,” I agreed. “The thing to remember is that even when no one else can see our crown, we must still behave like a princess. And that means listening to our teachers and parents, and being sweet and kind to others. That’s how everyone will realize that we are princesses. All right?”

  Gwyneth nodded her head vigorously. “Yes! I can do that.”

  “Excellent.” I shook her hand solemnly. “Then Princess Gwyneth, I wish you a good day.”

  “Good day, Princess Ky.”

  As I stood up, another hand touched my arm, and a pair of blue eyes that were identical to the little girl’s met mine. “Thank you so much, Your Royal Highness, for being kind to my girl. She’ll never forget this day!”

  “She’s beautiful and very smart.” I nodded. “Must come from good mothering.”

  The woman gazed at me sharply. “I’m thinking you’re shortly to know something about that.”

  Surprise took my voice. No one else had hinted at my pregnancy so far; I had been congratulating myself for keeping the secret.

  Gwyneth’s mother leaned slightly toward me. “It’s not visible, ma’am . . . I’m known to have a bit of the Sight. I can always tell when a woman’s, ah . . .” She slid her eyes sideways to the other people pressing in on us. “Well, you know. Before she can tell, even.” She took my hand and squeezed it. “Blessings on you and yours, ma’am.”

  “Thank you,” I managed to squeak before Lady Marjorie guided me away.

  “We need to move inside. We’re really quite late.” My former mentor didn’t sound censorious, merely resigned.

  “Yes, all right. I just wanted . . .” My voice trailed off as a movement in the crowd near us caught my eye. A familiar face, several rows back in the group nearest us, made my body go numb. A wave of dizzy terror that had nothing to do with pregnancy rocked me.

  The eyes that met mine were mocking and knowing. The last time I’d seen them, the man owning those eyes had grabbed my arm and threatened me . . . just before my world came crashing down.

  “Harold.” I reached blindly for my protection officer. “Harold, that’s him. That’s—the man from Viscount Weymouth’s party. That—Scott Gorman. He’s in the crowd.”

  Harold didn’t hesitate. He moved his body between mine and the people and guided both Lady Marjorie and myself quickly into the safety of the school. As he walked with us, he spoke tersely into his communicator.

  “Simon will know him,” I reminded Harold, trying not to stumble as we moved quickly. “But get Nicky to safety. What if that man’s here to hurt him? Get me my husband, Harold. Go take care of him.”

  The moment we were inside, a swarm of police officers surrounded us. Harold saw that we were safe before he glanced down at me.

  “I will, ma’am. I’ll have him to you shortly.”

  Lady Marjorie led me to a nearby chair inside an empty classroom. “Your hands are like ice, ma’am. Sit down. You need to be careful of shocks at a time like this. It’s not good for you, in your condition.”

  I jerked my head up to meet her eyes. “You know?”

  She smiled slightly and chafed my fingers, warming them. “Of course. We all do. We were briefed before the trip—what if something happened and you needed medical help? We’re all very happy for you and Prince Nicholas.”

  “Thank you.” At the mention of Nicky’s name, my anxiety ratcheted up several notches. “Where is he? I hope they can catch that man.” I shivered violently. “What was he even doing here?”

  “Try to be calm, ma’am,” Lady Marjorie advised. “The security officers are doing everything they should. We’re safe here, and you know their first priority would be protecting His Royal Highness. Your job right now is to trust that it’s all going to be fine.”

  She patted my hand, and closing my eyes, I allowed myself to lean into her warm strength. I hadn’t necessarily found Lady Marjorie a likable person when she’d been the one to train me in all things royal during my engagement, but now, I was pathetically grateful for her presence.

  It seemed as though we’d waited there for an eternity, but it was actually only moments later that I felt strong hands framing my face.

  “Kyra.” Nicky dropped to his knees in front of me. “Are you all right? Are you feeling sick? Should we see the doctor?”

  With a sharp cry, I reached forward and clung to my husband’s neck. “Nicky. You’re safe. Thank God. Oh, thank God.”

  “Of course, I’m safe. I’m absolutely fine—only worried for you.” Gently he drew me back so that he could look at my face. “Are you in pain?”

  I shook my head. “I’m all right, too. I was just worried for you.” Turning my head, I pressed a kiss into the palm of his hand. “Did they get him? Did they catch Scott Gorman?”

  “I don’t know yet. Harold and a couple of the other officers moved me inside, and Simon went after him.” He stood up, glancing over his shoulder. “You’re certain it was him?”

  “Very certain.” I nodded. “I wouldn’t forget his face. He scared me that night.”

  “I believe you.” Nicky took my hand, threading our fingers together. “But it’s okay now. You can relax. We’re all safe.”

  I peered around Nicky to the officers guarding the door. For the first time, it occurred to me to wonder about the other occupants of this building. “Where are the teachers and students we were meant to see here? What happened to them?”

  Lady Marjorie answered me. “They’re in their classrooms, still waiting. The police went through to inspect again, and they’ve secured all the entrances, so no one can get in or out.”

  I used Nicky’s hand to pull myself up. “Then why don’t we go visit them as we’d planned? We’re stuck in here anyway until we get the all clear from the police, right?”

  Nicky hesitated. “The security officers are likely going to suggest that we return to the Prince of Wales’ home.”

  I shrugged. “There’s no reason to disappoint the teachers and students. We can make it a quick tour, and then we’ll go back. They’ve already all been checked out. We’re as safe here as we are anywhere.”

  Lady Marjorie sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.” She scrutinized me with eagle eyes. “You’re certain you’re feeling up to this?”

  “Positive,” I assured her. When she’d moved away to talk to the officers at the door, I turned to Nicky. “Did you know that all the palace staff with us were aware of . . .” I lowered my voice. “My condition?”

  He winced. “Yes. It’s standard procedure—they had to know in order to protect us well and to have all the precautions in place, in case of an emergency. But I was sure it would make you uncomfortable if you realized they all knew, so I kind of kept that quiet.” He had the good grace to look contrite. “Sorry.”

  “No, I get it.” I wrapped my arms around
his waist. “You were thinking of me. And it makes sense. And now I know I wasn’t imagining all their smug glances.”

  Lady Marjorie returned to us. “They’re not happy, but they’ve agreed that you can stop in briefly at each pre-planned classroom. No long visits, and you must be prepared to be called to leave at any time.”

  “Absolutely,” I promised. “Thank you so much, Lady Marjorie. I know this isn’t the way you prefer to do things. I know it’s not protocol.”

  She regarded me silently for a moment. “Sometimes, ma’am, protocol gets shaken up a bit for a good reason. All things considered, I believe that you’re quite brave to do this. Her Majesty would probably do the same.”

  As we made our way down the hall to the first classroom, I murmured to Nicky, “Mark this day on the calendar. Lady Marjorie complimented me. I might faint.”

  Chuckling, he gripped my elbow. “Don’t you dare. I’ve had enough drama for the day.”

  We had just come out of the final classroom back into the hallway when Simon and Harold came toward us. I glanced from one to the other, my anxiety returning in spades.

  “Did you catch him?”

  Simon nodded. “It wasn’t easy, ma’am, as he’d realized that you’d seen him and had attempted to rabbit, but this time, the thick of the crowd kept him from moving too fast.”

  “And just when we thought we’d lose him, that he’d get away from us, a woman stood in his way. She nabbed him by the arm, and then she took him by the ear. Dropped him to the ground, she did, and kept him there until we reached him and had him in custody.” Harold grinned at me. “It was the lady whose daughter you’d just been speaking with. The one who said she has the Sight.” He lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know if it’s the sight or the touch, but she was a help today.”

  Relief had me sagging against Nicky. “Thank goodness. So you have him? And it really was Scott Gorman?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Simon met my eye. “You were spot on. He’s being held at the local station as a person of interest in an on-going investigation, but Scotland Yard will take him in shortly. The hope is that we can use him to get information we need about this terror cell.”

  “Was he going to hurt us?” I hated to ask the question, but I had to know. “Is that why he was here today?”

  Simon hesitated. “I don’t know. He wasn’t armed, but I have a sense that he wanted you to see him. Let’s face it, ma’am, the man’s been in hiding for months now. Why would he come out here and now, when your security is drum-tight? I can’t be sure, but to me, he seems the type who wanted to taunt you. Wanted to put you off balance again, make you think that you weren’t safe.”

  “But we are.” Nicky wrapped an arm around my waist. “And that’s what is important.” He kissed my cheek. “We should go back to Llwynywemod now. It’s been a long day.”

  With a sigh, I agreed. It had been a long day, indeed, but at the end of it, we hadn’t let ourselves be bullied into running. We’d met the people we were meant to see, and we’d carried out our duties, mostly as planned.

  Together, we were strong. That wasn’t going to change.

  IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE that Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kendal announce that the Duchess of Kendal is expecting a baby in the Fall. Their Royal Highnesses appreciate all of the support and well-wishes from the public, particularly after His Royal Highness’s injury last year.

  The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, along with the Duke and Duchess of Westhampton, Princess Alexandra and Mr Jake Newhall, and Princess Daisy have all been informed of the news, as have Mr and Mrs Sage Duncan and other members of the Duchess’s family. Everyone is delighted.

  The Duchess is in good health and expects to carry out her planned engagements through mid-summer.

  I smiled as I scanned my phone, reading the reports and stories in the wake of today’s announcement. Nicky and I had planned to release the news two weeks ago, in the days following our return from Wales, but with everything that had happened on that trip, especially the capture and arrest of Scott Gorman, we’d elected to wait. Scotland Yard had been excited to share with the country that they’d made at least one arrest in the investigation of the bombing and terror plot. We were all hopeful that it would lead to others.

  But while all of us were relieved about the forward movement, it didn’t seem like the right time to let the world in on our secret. We’d decided to push everything back for two weeks—which meant that on the day of the announcement, here I was, sitting at my desk at Honey Bee, having a perfectly boring, typical workday. And since the news had gone out about midday, I hadn’t made any appearance yet in a world that knew I was going to be a mother.

  Thanks to updates from Harold, I was aware that the swarm of reporters waiting outside for me had swelled to three times the normal number, and I was certain that walking from the front of the building to the car today would be madness. With that in mind, we’d determined that I would head for home slightly earlier than I usually did.

  I reached for my briefcase and slid a pile of papers into it. I’d just zipped it up when there was a knock at my door.

  My co-workers had been dropping by my office all day to offer congratulations and best wishes, so I didn’t hesitate to call out, “Come in!”

  But I was more than slightly taken aback when I saw the young man hesitating in the open doorway. I hadn’t caught more than a glimpse or two of Rick Lester, the employee who’d made me uneasy, in the past months. And each time I did see him, he appeared to be in a hurry to get away from me. A nugget of guilt had settled in my chest; I wondered if he’d somehow heard through the grapevine that we’d been suspicious about him, despite his apparently exemplary work.

  “Ma’am . . . I’m sorry to disturb you, but I wondered if I could have just a moment?” Rick hovered uncertainly.

  “Of course. Come in, please.” I indicated the chair in front of me. “Sit down. What can I do for you, Rick?”

  His face flushed red. “I can’t believe you remember my name.”

  Tilting my head, I smiled a little. “I try to learn everyone’s names. I can’t promise to be perfect, but I do my best.”

  “Yes. I know.” Rick’s shoulders hunched over as he settled into the chair. “Ah, I heard your news today, ma’am. Congratulations are in order. I wish you and the prince all the best.”

  “Thank you.” I paused. “Was that why you wanted to see me?”

  “No. I mean, yes, but . . .” He cleared his throat, his eyes fastened on the edge of my desk. “I needed to talk with you, ma’am. I think—I’m afraid I’ve done something that isn’t good.”

  I frowned, apprehension filling me. As subtly as I could manage, I reached for my phone and held it in my lap, ready to push the button that would summon Harold and Simon to my office at a run.

  “What do you mean, Rick?” With effort, I kept my voice even.

  His expression exuded misery. “Ma’am, my uncle . . . he’s a farmer in the north of England. I’ve done some work with him.”

  I nodded. “That was on your resume, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, it was, but I didn’t include everything. When I was staying with my uncle, before I got this job, I met up with a group of people who are very, ah, unhappy about some of the ideas you and the prince have. The changes you want to make. Getting rid of chemicals and growing cleaner food—all of that. They’re not all bad folks, ma’am—they’re scared, actually. They’re afraid that all these changes will mean them losing their farms or at least losing a lot of money.”

  Now true fear was clawing at my spine. “All right, Rick. So you met this . . . group. Nothing wrong with that, really. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, and not everyone is going to agree with us. We know that. What else?” Because I knew there had to be more.

  He twisted his hands together. “They got me all fired up, and in the course of things, I mentioned that I’d been thinking about putting in for a job here at Honey Bee, but that I wouldn’t do
it now that I understood their cause. But a couple of the men, they got excited about that. They convinced me that I should try to work here . . . because I could be their man on the inside. I could give the information, and maybe even—sabotage the business. Work against everything you’re trying to do. And I don’t know why I agreed to do it, but I did.”

  I ran my tongue over my lips. My mouth was suddenly dry. “I see.”

  “Last year, when I came up here to talk to you about that farm—that was one of my first jobs for the group. They wanted you to sign on farmers who only pretended to meet your standards, because they thought that embarrassing the company would hurt your cause.”

  “Ah.” I sighed. “We weren’t sure whether you did that deliberately or if it was just a mistake. My gut told me—well, that doesn’t matter. Rick, why are you telling me all of this? Have you done other things that would hurt Honey Bee? “

  Slowly he shook his head. “After that didn’t work, the men from the group kind of backed off for a bit. They were sending letters and emails, and they got up to some minor mischief. But then came the—the bombing . . .” He looked positively sick as he swallowed. “Ma’am, I told them about that. Where you would be, I mean. I overheard Serena talking to someone about you being away for the weekend, and I let the group know. They’d asked me to inform them about anything to do with your work at first, but then they began to want to know your movements, too. Your plans.”

  I couldn’t speak, but it didn’t matter, because Rick was still talking.

  “I’ve felt awful since then. Like the worst person in the world. If anything had happened to you—and I’m sorry about Prince Nicholas, too. I didn’t know about that, but when I heard all the news, I put two and two together.”

  “But you never came forward.” I heard the accusation in my own voice. “You could’ve helped, but you stayed quiet.”

  “I did, and I’m sorry.” He hung his head. “I tried to lay low and hope they’d gotten good and scared. I hoped that they’d scattered. But then yesterday . . . I was contacted for the first time in months. The man who was arrested in Wales had come up with a plan to take you from here, from the office. But he wanted the time to be right. When he was taken into custody, the next man down on the chain of command decided we’d act now. Since I was here, already in place as it were, they wanted my help.” He paused. “No, they demanded my help. They threatened me. I didn’t know what to do. I was positively sick about the whole thing, and then I saw your news.” For the first time, Rick looked me in the face. “Ma’am, I knew at that moment that I could never do anything that would put you in danger. I understand I’ll probably go to jail, and I deserve it, but I would never do a thing to harm you or your family.”