Mysterious Warriors: Alone (9 page)

~ Chapter 20 ~

              Rachel looked at the ornate palace as their carriages rolled to the front of the courtyard. The last time she and Gary had visited the palace, they’d been able to sneak in without first telling her mother. However, this time they weren’t so fortunate.

              Flags rose from each tower, and several servants waved multicolored flags from windows in the palace. An enormous group of servants, Royal Guards, knights, courtiers, and the royal family waited to greet those in the carriages. The crowd threw what looked to be rice in the air, and several small groups of dancers and acrobats adorned the streets as they rolled up. Rachel looked at her husband, and Gary forcefully closed his mouth. “Wow.”

              “This is why we came as we did the last time.” Rachel explained as she shifted her baby.

              Elena’s dark blue eyes opened, and she looked about curiously. She was dressed in the finest dress a baby should wear; something Rachel would never have dressed her baby in if it hadn’t been the first time Elena was going to meet her grandmother. Rachel took a deep breath as their footman opened the carriage door.

              Loud trumpets sounded as Gary exited the carriage with a playful smile for his wife. Rachel’s stomach clenched as she followed, carrying Princess Elena with her.

              As Rachel and Elena exited the carriage, cheers erupted through the crowd gathered around the courtyard. Banners erupted from windows, and voices rose in harmony in a welcome serenade.

              The footman announced. “His royal highness, Prince Gareth Naxison of Ada’s Circle with his wife, Princess Rachel Naxison formerly of Zorba’s Reach, and their baby daughter, Princess Elena Naxison of Ada’s Circle.”

              The occupants of the next carriage exited as the footman continued introductions. “His grace, Sir Ian Weastle, Duke of Ada’s Circle with his wife, Duchess Pearl Weastle and his grace, Sir Neal Strappard, Duke of Ada’s Circle.”

              A resounding hush spread through the crowd in front of the palace, and Rachel knew their surprise. Pearl, the former maid of their princesses, was now a duchess, something unheard of in Zorba’s Reach.

              “This must be my grandbaby.” Queen Margaret stepped forward and gently took Elena from Rachel’s arms.

              Rachel was a little surprised to see her mother so excited to see her baby. While Queen Margaret expected her daughters to bear many children, she had never enjoyed babies, not even when her own daughters were such. It had been Terena Adamsen, one of her mother’s maids, who had raised Tara and Rachel. Queen Margaret cooed softly to Elena as King Warren joined them with a group embrace. “How was the ride?”

              “Well.” Rachel answered as she touched the glass dagger charm on her necklace. “It’s definitely faster on horseback.”

              King Warren shook his head. “She’s changed so much since she first came to Whitehaven, hasn’t she Prince Gareth?”

              “Yes.” Gary smiled. “She’s comfortable being herself now.”

              King Warren looked between them and touched Rachel’s shoulder. “You are very blessed to have a husband who loves you and whom you love in return.”

              “I know.” Rachel answered.

              “You must be Sir Neal.” King Warren greeted the red-haired man. “I believe our paths crossed in Whitehaven.”

              Neal nodded.

              “And Sir Ian.” King Warren continued greeting them. “I must say we were surprised when news of your marriage to our Pearl was announced. Most people at court didn’t believe it was true.”

              “I am honored to have her as my bride.” Ian replied.

              “Welcome back to Junipero.” King Warren took Pearl’s hand and kissed it, as he would any noble wife.

              “It’s disgusting.” Queen Margaret handed Elena back to her daughter.

              “What is?” Rachel frowned.

              “That someone related to the king would marry a maid.” Queen Margaret sneered. “I sincerely hoped it wasn’t true, but what can you expect from a kingdom with a queen as Addison?”

              “Addison is an incredible queen.” Rachel contradicted her mother.

              “Rachel!” Tara rushed to embrace her sister. “Hello Elena.”

              The baby wiggled out of her mother’s arms to her aunt. Tara laughed and took hold of her niece, gently tossing the baby into the air and catching her. Elena squealed in delight.

              “Are you married Sir Neal?” Queen Margaret looked at him.

              “No, I’m not married your majesty.”

              Rachel wanted to pummel her mother, but she held her temper. Neal, whose heart had been killed by Prince Rodger Naxison, was not ready to fall in love again.

              Tara embraced Pearl. “Congratulations. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there for your wedding.”

              “You were there in spirit.” Pearl assured her. “We missed you, but we know you would have been there to support us if you could. Ian’s father finally gave his blessing to our union.”

              “He did?” Tara gasped. “That’s incredible.”

              “He did right before I walked down the aisle.” Pearl chuckled at the memory. “I’m glad Ian got his family back in the end.”

              “You’re his family.” Tara looked down at Elena as the princess made a high-pitched noise. “Oh, was I not looking at you too long?” Tara cooed at the baby as she smiled.

              “She sure loves her aunt.” Pearl stated.

              “Her aunts.” Tara corrected. “She loves you too.”

              Rachel paused as a well-dressed man stepped beside her sister. His dark hair was groomed back, and his brown eyes were kind. He put his hand to the small of Tara’s back, and Tara turned. “There you are.”

              “I wanted to give you time before you introduced me.” He stated.

              Rachel’s interest piqued, and she raised a brow at her sister. Who is this man?

              “We should get inside.” Queen Margaret announced before Tara could introduce her new friend. “It’s positively miserable outside so long. We don’t want to catch giardiasis and die.” She took her husband’s arm. “Come inside.”

              Rachel and Gary followed her parents as Tara, the man, Elena, Pearl, Ian, and Neal followed. Rachel watched as the enormous group dissipated back to where they belonged. It was like a play, something rehearsed with every actor knowing where to move and how to behave. Whitehaven was unpredictable, wild, and so much more exciting.

              “While you’re here, I’m reassigning one of my maids to you.” Queen Margaret snapped her fingers. “Patty.”

              A woman walked up and curtsied. Her brown hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and her dark blue eyes were hazel. Her wrists were covered in about a dozen bracelets of different sizes, colors, and shapes, and she wore the simple outfit of the maid. She straightened. “Yes my queen?”

              “You are going to be my daughter’s maid while she’s here.” Queen Margaret explained. “You know what I expect from you Patrice.” She looked at her daughter. “And you know what I expect from you. Don’t give this girl reason to believe she can become a duchess too.”

              “Mom.” Rachel gasped as her mother left.

              The maid, Patty or Patrice, but likely something else, lowered her dark blue gaze.

              “What’s your name Miss?” Rachel asked.

              “Patience Storm, your highness.” She curtsied.

              “Well I’m honored to meet you.” Rachel smiled, and Patience’s dark blue eyes flicked up. There were definitely brown and amber in her gaze.

              “I’ll bring your belongings to your rooms.” Patience curtsied once more before she left them.

              “Do you think Mother will assign Pearl a maid?” Tara whispered to her sister.

              “No.” Rachel shook her head. “You know Mother.”

              “That I do…”

              Rachel turned to the man fluttering by her sister. “Hello sir.”

              “Rachel.” Tara let loose a soft breath. “I’d like to introduce you to Baron Stefan Graem. Stefan, this is my sister, Rachel, her husband, Gary, their daughter, Elena, and our friends, Sir Neal, Sir Ian, and Duchess Pearl.”

              “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you.” Stefan took Rachel’s hand and kissed it. “Your sister speaks very highly of you.”

              “It’s good to meet you too.” Rachel’s gaze went from this charming man’s dark brown eyes to her sister’s dark green ones.

              “Stefan and I are courting.” Tara explained.

              “Courting?” Rachel repeated.

              Tara nodded. “For about two months now.”

              “It’s a pleasure to meet the one man my sister will agree to court.” Rachel finally stated.

~ Chapter 21 ~

              Rachel closed her eyes; her head shook violently as she groaned. “What was she thinking?”

              “This is an interesting theme for a party.” Gary chuckled. “Come on.”

              “No, this is too much.” Rachel grabbed his arm.

              Gary laughed as he gently pulled her into the ballroom. It had been transformed into a giant nursery with changing tables housing food and drink, rocking chairs throughout the room, and the entertainers dressed as giant babies.

              “What was she thinking?” Rachel gasped as she noticed the band playing rattles and spoons. “What kind of theme is this?”

              “Baby-themed for her first grandchild.” Tara teased as she joined them, Stefan by her side.

              “This is definitely different than a few weeks ago when there were trees inside.” Stefan stated.

              “Elena isn’t even here for this.” Rachel closed her eyes. “Patience and Monika are watching her as she sleeps. What was Mother thinking?”

              “Hello my precious daughters.” Queen Margaret joined them, glee plastered to her face. “Isn’t this divine?”

              “Why are those entertainers dressed in diapers?” Rachel demanded.

              “They’re not real diapers.” Queen Margaret rolled her eyes. “You’re being very dramatic Rachel.”

              “Mom, this is insane.” Rachel huffed.

              “We’re celebrating the arrival of my
baby
granddaughter.” Queen Margaret pointed out. “Here, have a rattle.” She handed the toy to her daughter. “You can join the dance now.”

              Tara pursed her lips, and Rachel knew she was keeping back laughter.

              “A rattle dance?” Rachel whispered.

              Queen Margaret nodded. “I’m sure you’ll figure out the steps fine. Go along.”

              Rachel stood her ground. “Mother, this is too much.”

              “Fine, don’t dance.” Queen Margaret ripped the toy from Rachel’s hand. “I’ll enjoy the dance instead.” She spun away.

              “Unbelievable.” Rachel whispered.

              “At least she didn’t make us diaper dresses.” Tara chuckled.

              “She forgot my birthday.” Gary paused. “Perhaps it’s a good thing she forgot it.”

              “How old are you now?” Stefan asked.

              “Twenty-two.” Gary answered. “What about you?”

              “I’m twenty-nine.”

              “So what’s this about Mother’s last party? There were trees inside here?” Rachel moved to a rocking chair and sat.

              Gary sat beside her and moved his chair. “This chair rocks!”

              Tara and Rachel glanced at Gary. He continued to swing back and forth.

              “Mother had her annual renewal ball.” Tara explained. “The bottom of the stairs and first floor entrance was a hedge maze, and she somehow got giant trees into the room. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen.”

              “It was nice to spend time together in the forest of the ballroom.” Stefan shrugged.

              Rachel wondered what happened to Alex. Wasn’t he still around? Why wasn’t he courting Tara? Rachel had thought if her sister accepted any man’s offer of courtship it would be Alex’s. She didn’t expect to come to Junipero and find a charming man with her sister instead. But while Stefan could be charming, he did call her sister “his Little Hummingbird.” Rachel was sure he thought it was a compliment.

              “Look over there.” Gary gasped.

              Rachel looked, and her mouth dropped. Giant wooden blocks with letters on each side stood to the far right of the ballroom. Several nobles moved them, spelling out words, and a few stacked them to a large tower.

              “There are more.” Rachel gestured to multicolored stacking circles. She shook her head. “What was Mother thinking? This is just funny now.”

              Gary held his hand to his wife, and Rachel took it.

              “We’ll be back.” Gary looked at Tara and Stefan.

              Tara nodded.

              Rachel was curious as Gary led her through the crowd. “Where are we going?”

              “I saw something I think you’ll like.”

              Great.

              “Here.” Gary stopped at full-size rocking horses. “Would you like to mount?”

              “No way.” Rachel bunched her skirts to allow her legs room to sit. “This is insane. How much do you think this cost? She didn’t just borrow toys from people with children. These toys are made for adults.”

              “Your mother is a woman of her word, and she always says she wants to do things to impress.”

              “She certainly does.” Rachel moved the horse back and forth with Gary’s help. “I’m thinking of some good toy ideas for Elena now.”

              “Me too.”