by Kit Morgan
Mildred looked sympathetic. “Oh, child, that will be decided by the Queen.”
“But why does she have to decide anything? I want to go home.”
“That’s all well and good, though I must admit I do enjoy your company and wouldn’t mind if you stayed a while.”
Mitzi smiled. “Thanks. I like you too, Mildred. But I don’t belong here.”
“Quite true. The problem is, we need to make sure … well, that you’re not a spy.”
Mitzi rolled her eyes. “Do I look like a spy?”
“To me? No. But to the Queen and Prince Consort, you could.”
Mitzi went to the nearest rosebush. “I just wish I knew what was going on.”
Mildred looped her arm through hers. “You’re lost, my dear, nothing more. Don’t worry, we’ll get you home. But precautions have to be taken.”
“Why?”
“Oh, I dare not say …”
Mitzi extracted her arm and faced her. “Mildred, tell me.”
She pulled out a hanky and wiped at her nose, nervous. “It’s Lacona to our north. They have a strong military force. We have money. Bring the two countries together and …”
“You have a force to be reckoned with,” Mitzi finished. “I see.”
“Unfortunately, there are those from other countries that don’t want to see our two unite.”
“Who?”
“Germany, for one. Perhaps the Netherlands. I’m not sure about the British.”
Finally, something familiar. “How far are we from Germany?”
“Nevermindnevermind – I shouldn’t be talking about these things as it is.” She glanced at the guards and back.
Mitzi did too. Had they heard? “I’m not a spy, Mildred. I’m just a security guard who somehow wound up in …” She smiled weakly. “… this place.”
“You can say it, my dear. You wound up in the past.”
“Then you do believe me?”
“I already told you I did.”
“Then you know I’m not a spy.”
“Of course I do, but others might find it easier to assume you are.”
Mitzi plucked a few petals off a rose. “What do I do, Mildred?”
Mildred glanced at the castle. “Queen Madeleina and Prince Andel are kind people. They’re doing what is expected of them in this situation. I scarce think of what will happen tomorrow.”
“What’s tomorrow?”
“The king of Lacona is coming.”
“Oh,” Mitzi said wide-eyed. “So it’s crunch time, is that it?”
“Crunch?”
“It means they’re going to get down to business and get things done.”
Mildred smiled. “Indeed.” She sighed.
Mitzi caught the woman’s forlorn look. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, my dear.”
“No, something is – what is it?” She didn’t know why she was so concerned, other than she was really starting to like the woman.
Mildred smiled sadly. “There are some things in this matter less appealing than others.”
“Like what?”
Another smile. “Look around you tomorrow and you’ll see.” Mildred turned back to the path. “Come, it’s best we get back to your chamber. You’ll want to rest before dinner.”
Mitzi saw she wouldn’t get a straight answer, but that was okay. European politics in 1889 were hardly her area of expertise, especially for a country she’d never heard of before. It must have been absorbed into a neighboring one before her time – Germany, maybe. She’d hated history, taking as few classes as possible in high school and college because she figured she’d never need it. Boy, was she wrong.
They continued the slow trek back to the castle. The grounds were lovely and Mitzi wished she could linger in this magical place a while longer. But she had to get down to business, too – the business of getting home. How, she had no idea. Maybe if she rested as Mildred suggested, she’d come up with something.
But from the sound of it, there were two people she’d have to find out about first: the mysterious MacDonalds.
Chapter Sixteen
The palace banquet hall looked like something out of a movie. There was a head table where the queen and her family sat, along with a few high officials. Two long tables, where about forty men and women were seated, all nicely dressed, were adorned with lush centerpieces atop white linen tablecloths. Fine china place settings and shiny silverware sat before each guest.
“Well, my dear,” Lady Mildred said. “What do you think?”
Mitzi did her best not to gawk, not sure if this was normal at dinner time or a special occasion. She’d done enough of that when Mildred dressed her in a beautiful ice-blue gown with matching velvet jacket trimmed in gold. She’d changed her hairstyle too, to something simple that nonetheless matched the gown perfectly. She’d never looked so beautiful in her life. “I’m not sure,” she finally said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“If you stay a while, you’ll see all sorts of wonderful things,” Mildred assured her.
“I bet I will. I just don’t know how long I’m staying.” Or whether she’d be stuck here the rest of her life. A pang of guilt hit – she shouldn’t be enjoying herself knowing her father might be worrying himself sick. No, wait, it didn’t work like that. She hadn’t been grabbed and lured to just another place, but another time – wouldn’t that change the rules? If the MacDonalds (or whoever) returned her to home, couldn’t they return her to three seconds after she left? Wouldn’t it be nice if she could ask them?!
“Come along dear, let’s take our seats.”
Mitzi stowed away her frustration, nodded and followed. She expected Mildred to lead her to one of the long tables, but instead she headed straight to where the royal family sat. “We’re sitting there?”
“Of course, my dear. I always do.”
“You sit with the queen?” she said in shock.
“I am the queen’s companion, after all. Not that she needs me – she has her children and a husband. But we do have the most fascinating conversations.”
Mitzi glanced around nervously. All eyes were on her, which didn’t help her nerves. She was hoping to not have to talk to anyone except Mildred, then changed her mind when Prince Asger stood at their approach. She smiled, and he smiled back and pulled out a chair for her – just to his left.
He leaned toward her as she sat. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at Andel and Maddie, who sat on the other side of Raina at Asger’s right.
Asger sat. “I hope you rested this afternoon.”
“I did, as a matter of fact. You?”
“I’m afraid I had business to attend to,” he said. “But it’s done and I’m happy it is.”
She smiled shyly. The enormity of her situation and her own inadequacy to handle it hit at once. How could she pull this off? It was one thing to have to deal with a handful of people in her own time – an entire room of strangers from another century was quite another affair. If they questioned her, demanded to know where she was from, what in the world would she say?
“You look worried,” he said gently.
“I am,” she said without thinking.
“You have nothing to worry about, Mitzi. Are the people making you nervous?”
She looked at him, then into his eyes … and suddenly relaxed. “A little.”
“You needn’t worry about them. No one will approach you while you’re with me unless I signal that it is permitted.”
“The advantage of being a prince?” she teased.
“Exactly. Being royal has its advantages.”
She giggled. “I suppose it does.”
He offered her a plate of flaky square pastries. “Try one of these. I’m sure you’ll like them.”
What she liked was sitting next to him. There was a peace that overcame her when she was with him, and her stomach hadn’t bothered her since that morning. He looked better too. Maybe he’d eaten the
same thing she had the night before and that’s what did it. She took a pastry.
He watched her. “Go ahead, take a bite.” He took one himself and bit into it.
“What are they?”
“They’re full of sweetmeat,” he said, took another bite and put it on his plate.
She nibbled at hers as she thought. “Sweetmeat” … that was a nice term for “innards,” wasn’t it? But then, she’d eaten liverwurst and hot dogs, and even a pickled pig’s foot on a dare. What was the difference? She took a bigger bite. “Oh, wow – this is delicious.”
“I thought you’d like them.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Lady Mildred took three for herself. They ate and chatted about the gardens and their picnic. It was a safe subject.
Mitzi was about to comment on the roses when a trumpet blared. She jumped, sending her half-eaten pastry into the air. It landed with a splash in Raina’s wine goblet.
“Oh dear,” Lady Mildred said.
Mitzi covered her mouth, mortified. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s all right,” Asger said. “They’re just announcing that dinner is served.”
“With trumpets?” she said in disbelief.
“Yes, with trumpets,” Raina quipped as she held the glass up. A servant came out of nowhere to take it from her, hand her a new one and fill it from a carafe on the table. “Would you prefer violins?”
“Don’t be put out, sister,” Asger said. “Just because you had a poor afternoon doesn’t mean you have to spoil everyone’s evening.”
Mitzi glanced between the siblings and wondered if they’d had some sort of tiff. They looked mad at each other for some reason.
“I’m perfectly fine and in a wonderful mood.” Raina looked at Mitzi. “You’re forgiven.”
Mitzi’s eyebrows rose. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mind my sister,” Asger said. “She’s in a pet.”
“I’m in no such thing,” she shot back. “If you must know, I’m worried about you.”
Asger looked at her but said nothing, just took another pastry as servants carried in platters of food and headed straight for the head table. Mitzi’s stomach growled in response, taking her mind off whatever was going on between Asger and his sister. It wasn’t any of her business anyway.
Platters of some sort of roast were presented and placed on the table, followed by vegetables, fruit, breads and some potato dish. Mitzi had never seen such a wonderful spread, not even at the nicer Vegas buffets. “Is it like this all the time?” she had to ask.
“No, this is a special occasion. We are to be graced with the king of Lacona tomorrow.” Asger’s face soured. “Along with a few other guests.”
“So what is this, a warmup?”
He smiled. “Something like that. It will be grander tomorrow. These are the lords and ladies of the court. My mother will make a few announcements later this evening about tomorrow’s events.”
“So this is a big deal?”
He looked at her somberly. “In many ways, yes.”
“Many … not all.”
He forced a smile. “In certain political matters, someone is always disappointed. You can’t please everyone.”
She nodded. “I know what you mean. I’ve had my share of disappointments.”
He sipped at his wine. “I’ve been lucky on that score until recently.”
She glanced at her glass and wondered what kind it was. She picked it up and sniffed it. “Really?” She tried a sip. Hmm, very sweet.
“Yes, but I’d hate to bore you. Let’s talk about something else.”
She glanced at the people at the long tables. “Like why so many people keep looking at me?”
“You’re new. No one’s seen you before and you’re sitting next to me. That’s enough to get tongues wagging. Until tomorrow, at least.”
“Then I become old news?” she teased.
He gazed into her eyes and her stomach flipped. But his words were dry as dust. “No doubt.”
Mitzi gazed back. What about this man entranced her so? She felt so good when she was around him, except for that morning. It was hard to believe she’d known him such a short time yet felt so comfortable around him.
Throughout the meal she stole little glances at him and he at her. She’d catch him now and then, and it reminded her of when she had a crush on Joey Simpson in high school. She never did date Joey, who hooked up with Alice Long, the cheerleader and math whiz. Not surprising – Mitzi had been a tomboy growing up, and most boys only liked her as a friend. Those who wanted more didn’t want to date a girl whose dad was a cop. By college, she’d basically given up.
“Perhaps you’ll take a stroll with me in the gardens after dinner?”
Mitzi almost jumped again. “What?”
“We could take Lady Mildred along.”
She smiled at him. “A walk? In the gardens?”
He poked at his food. “That’s what I said.”
Mitzi felt suddenly shy, but said “I’d love to.” While she was here, she might as well enjoy the company of a good-looking guy. Lord knew she hadn’t done much of that the last several years.
“Fine, I’ll inform Lady Mildred – if she’s not eavesdropping.” He looked past Mitzi at Mildred, who was happily mashing her food together. “Ahem …”
She looked up. “A walk, you say?”
He winked at Mitzi. “Would you care to accompany us in the gardens later, Lady Mildred?”
“Oh, yes, very very much. Thank you, Your Highness.”
He winked at Mitzi again. “No, thank you, Lady Mildred.”
Mitzi giggled. He was making her feel special. No man had ever gone out of his way to do that, probably because they feared she’d clobber them over the head with something or flip them over her shoulder. She did have that reputation.
They ate, chatted, and the longer the evening went on the more comfortable Mitzi became. Andel and Maddie were cordial, asking how she was and insisting she go straight to bed after she ate. But she couldn’t – she had a date, the first one she’d ever had. Even though it was just a stroll through the gardens, she wouldn’t miss it.
Thanks to Asger, Mitzi made it through the meal without mishap and without having to be introduced to anyone. All anyone knew was that she was a guest of the Queen, and no one questioned it. At least not in public, according to Mildred. There would be plenty of talk in the village tomorrow and in private tonight. But with the king of Lacona and his retinue showing up tomorrow, the gossip would be short-lived.
“It’s a lovely evening, isn’t it?” Asger asked as they meandered past the roses.
“Yes, beautiful – and such a bright moon,” she commented.
“Indeed.” He glanced at Lady Mildred trailing behind them. “I hope you’re still feeling better.”
“Better” was an understatement. She was absolutely giddy at the moment and had no idea why. Other than the obvious. Why couldn’t she have met him in her time?
Time. She had new respect for that word.
“Mitzi …” He stopped and faced her. “I have to know. Are you sure you came alone?”
“What?”
“To the Queen’s Wood. You were alone, correct?”
“I thought so, until I heard someone crashing around. But I wasn’t sticking around to find out who.”
He sighed. “I think I know who.”
“You do?” she said in surprise. “Who was it?”
“Come with me.”
Her curiosity piqued, she followed him down a side path into another section of the gardens. He stopped, turned to her and smiled. “What is it?” she wondered.
He nodded to her right.
Mitzi turned – and gasped. “Albert!”
“Mitzi!” Albert said in disbelief, looking her up and down.
They ran toward each other, collided and hugged. “What are you doing here?” she asked, unable to believe her eyes.
“I’d ask you the same. What happened?”
She laughed. “You tell me!”
He stepped out of her embrace. “I saw you hightail it out of the Empire after some guy.”
“Yes, a purse snatcher. I chased him into the alley.” She noticed Asger watching them closely as Mildred caught up.
“I ran into the alley thinking I could help,” Albert said, his hands waving around. “But when I rounded the corner …”
“… there was a blinding white light!”
“Yes!”
“Me too!”
“Then what happened?” Asger asked, his face dead serious.
“It’s just like I told you,” Albert said. “I couldn’t see where I was going. The light was so bright I had to close my eyes against it.”
“Me too,” Mitzi said. “I kept wondering when I’d run into the back of a building, but never did. It was so disorienting.”
“You said it,” Albert agreed. “And the music was so loud!”
“Yes!” Mitzi said. “The music crawl?”
“I guess so …”
“What happened?” Asger prompted.
They looked at him, and Mitzi shrugged. “I don’t know. I was stumbling around in the light, and the next thing I know I’m in the woods wearing a weird dress.”
Asger looked at Albert. He shrugged. “I tripped over something, hit my head and was out like a light. When I woke up I was in the woods too.”
Mitzi glanced at Albert. “You tripped?”
“Yeah.” He stuck his hands in his pockets.
Mitzi noticed his current outfit, not nearly as fancy as those worn by men in the dining hall but still nice. “If it makes you feel any better, I tripped over something too.” She nodded at Asger, who winked at her but said nothing. “What happened to us?”
Albert tossed his hands in the air. “I have no idea.”
She stared at him. Something was off … oh. “Al, where are your glasses?”
“They broke in the woods.”
“That’s not all he lost,” Asger said. “My men found him wearing very little clothing.”
“What?” Mitzi said. “Did someone take your clothes too?”
“Most of them. But that doesn’t matter – I’m just glad you’re okay.” He looked her over again. “You are okay, aren’t you?”
