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Not only was the child well behaved and well mannered, her requests were also always to increase her academic prowess. Really? Where did this creature come from?
“I’m afraid we’re all done with the fractions tonight, your highness,” said Jan. “But I could definitely use your help tomorrow. You can be in charge of all the measuring. I hear you’re good with flour.”
Penelope giggled and then stifled a yawn.
“Princess Penelope,” said Esme. “I’ve seen a lot of this castle, but I haven’t seen your room. Would you show me?”
The girl’s eyes glittered awake as she nodded. She reached out her hand, and Esme took the girl’s small one in her own.
By the time they’d reached the grand staircase, the little princess was leaning into Esme, and her steps slowed. Esme reached down and lifted the five-year-old up and carried her up the grand staircase.
She expected a frilly room, but the princess’ room was tasteful in soft, muted colors. A picture of a woman hung on the wall. The Queen.
She was very beautiful. She didn’t grin. Instead, there was a small, dignified smile on Queen Isabel’s face and a softness to her eyes. Esme had imagined the woman harsh and stern, but that’s not what she saw at all in the portrait.
“I don’t remember her much,” Penelope said from the cradle of Esme’s arms. “My memories are fading.”
“But can you still feel her?” asked Esme. “She’s watching over you. She lives in your heart.”
Esme helped Penelope as she undressed. Once in a plain nightgown, Penelope climbed under the covers and allowed Esme to tuck her into bed.
“I just remembered something,” said Penelope. “My mother used to do this; tuck me in. And then my father would lean down and kiss my forehead. He still does that. Even if I’m sleeping.”
“How do you know he does it if you’re asleep?”
“I suppose I can feel him, you know, in my heart.”
Esme leaned down and kissed the girl’s forehead.
“Father will get remarried one day soon,” said Penelope. “Do you think my new mother will tuck me in even though I’m not her daughter?”
“She won’t be able to help it, Pea. You’re so easy to love. I only just met you, and you’re very dear to me.”
“We’ll always be friends, won’t we, Esme?”
“Forever and after, sweet pea.”
Penelope closed her eyes and slipped off into dream land. Esme meant those words. The little girl had captured a piece of her heart. Adoration, it might be called. Attachment might be a better word.
Esme brushed the girl’s hair from her forehead. In sleep, she finally looked her age. She wished the little princess dreams of a world that let her remain a child for as long as possible.
With one final kiss to wish her happy dreams, Esme rose to find the king standing in the doorway.
Chapter Twenty-One
“We need to direct more funds to infrastructure.”
“Only if it’s for high speed internet and other technologies. Cordoba is far too behind in this area of innovation.”
“The oil in our waters is all we need to focus on. That is our main source of wealth.”
“But it needs to be done with more care for the environment. Right, your majesty?”
Leo clenched his hands so as not to work the nerve pulsing in his temple. For the past hour, he’d been fielding questions and breaking up disputes. Though no children were at this dinner, he felt like the only adult in the room of squabbling adolescents. It was always this way when the House of Lords broke bread with the House of Commons. The problem was, this wasn’t a parliamentary meeting. There were foreign dignitaries at the table, and a family argument had broken off around the dinner table.
He’d had less than thirty minutes to rest his aching jaw before he had to plaster on that noble half-smile again. Luckily, there were no scissors, shovels, or other items that could be used as blunt weapons at the table.
“I say this is a state dinner and not the parliamentary floor,” said Leo. “Why not table this argument now that dessert is being placed before us.”
