The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Faerie Tale Collection) Read Free Page B

shook his head. Did it matter? Did any of this matter?
    No.
    He stood up and began to pace again, going from the old trunk at the foot of his bed to the small window and back. He needed to find a gracious way to decline the princess’s quest for him. It was not wise at all. No matter how much Hallen may protest, the fact remained that Smoot was his superior, and he was angry. There was no guarantee he could solve anything for Casey. However, it was guaranteed he would lose his job. To be turned away from the castle for improper conduct or neglectful duties was the same as chiseling out your own tombstone. No one would dare hire a man who was not wanted by the palace.
    He stopped at the window and looked out at the large castle across the way. He would find a way to tell her no on the morrow—a way that ensured she was not offended or put off.
    If she truly cared for him, she would not wish anything ill to happen.
    He turned away and sat back down upon the bed. Please, oh please, let her be reasonable and not upset. Let her see it simply cannot be done. And let her understand there are some things in this world that will never mix properly. Royalty and servants were one of them.

CHAPTER FOUR
    THE NEXT MORNING, BEFORE the sun had risen, Aleck was up and rushing for an early cup of tea with his mother prior to his daily chores at the castle. He liked to visit her once a week and check in, making sure the family was well. He removed the small box from under his bed and dumped the few shillings he had earned the last sennight into his palm. He also pulled out a kerchief wrapped around pieces of fruit and some rolls he had saved from his meals, as well as some tarts for the children. It had been a long while since he had tasted his own tarts; he always tucked them into his pocket for his siblings.
    He also had a few bulbs he had rescued from the compost heap earlier that week. The daffodils had quite overgrown a section of the garden earlier that year, and so several had to be dug up and tossed. Since his mother had had a fondness for daffodils, he was eager to bring the bulbs to her so she could begin her own flower garden.
    With his treasures held securely in his knapsack, Aleck made his way a few miles down the lane to the small cottage. He knocked twice upon the door and then ducked his head as he walked into the tiny front room.
    The fire was busily crackling while the kettle set upon the hearth heated up nicely.
    “Hello, Aleck, dear!” His mother rushed from around the table and brushed her flour-covered hands upon her apron before crushing him to her chest.
    “Good morning.” He chuckled and pulled back to place a kiss upon her cheek. “And how are you?”
    “I am well.”
    Her eyes had lost so much of their youth and sparkle these past months that he worried he would never see her again as she once was. Today, however, those gray eyes seemed to be perked up a bit—not wholly, but enough to make him wonder. “I can tell already that you have news. So out with it.”
    “No.” She swatted at him. “I cannot yet. And you will not get it out of me, either.”
    “What? Now I am very intrigued. What is this that you are hiding from me?”
    “It is nothing that she is hiding,” Rebecca said as she came into the room and kissed his cheek. “It is my news to tell, and so Mother has promised to allow me the right to speak about it first.”
    Just then, the kettle began to hiss.
    “Let us sit and have tea, and then we can talk,” his mother said as she removed the kettle from the hearth.
    Rebecca laced her arm through his and led him to the table. “Yes, let us do so before the little ones wake up and demand whatever treats you have brought them this time.”
    “Fair enough,” Aleck said as he removed the knapsack and set it upon a wooden chair at the table. “Though, I have not only brought gifts for the children, but I have some daffodil bulbs from the castle for you, Mother.”
    “Do you?” She looked up