The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Faerie Tale Collection) (7 page)

The king inhaled sharply at the word “daughter,” but did not say anything.

Aleck continued, “The princesses have awoken each morning to ruined dancing slippers and swollen feet. They believe they have been dancing all night, but have no recollection or knowledge of doing so.” His legs began to bounce as he became excited. “But you see, I do wonder if it is more than just your family suffering such happenings.”

The king’s eyebrows rose and Aleck thought it best to explain before the man assumed he was responsible for it all. “Your daughter mentioned cousins who were experiencing the same thing.”

“Did she, now? And when did you speak with her about this?”

Aleck swallowed. “A few days back. She found a letter of her aunt’s written to you and was concerned.”

“I see.” The king’s eyes squinted a bit, but he did not say what he was thinking. Instead, his gaze roamed over Aleck’s features a moment before he nodded. “Continue.”

“Well, I have been mulling over this and I wonder if perhaps other kingdoms are suffering the same fate—maybe the princes? Why just the princesses? Would it not make more sense that, with the sturdier shoes that men wear, they may not have realized what was happening to them?”

The king’s expression did not waver. But his breathing became much more forced and his gaze more intense.

Aleck ploughed on. “It would make more sense if the girls were dancing with someone. My question is, who? Who would do such a thing as this? And why make a mockery of royalty in such a way?”

“You do have many opinions, my boy.” The king cleared his throat. “Well, they are interesting, to say the least. I will need some time to ponder them, as well as to make some inquiries around.”

“I see.” So the king would not wish him to begin solving the mystery at the moment. Aleck sat back in his chair.

“I wish you to start tonight. If it is possible.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I will give you three nights’ leave of anything in this castle. You are to have full run and will not be detained anywhere. I will see that my servants answer any questions you ask of them and treat you as my particular guest the whole length of your stay.”

“But my gardening duties?”

“I will see that another fills in as a replacement for you until you can return. But, young man, you do understand there is a prize for the man who is able to solve this, do you not?”

“I had heard rumor there may be.”

The king looked him over. “The greatest reward is the hand of one of my daughters.”

Aleck gasped. He had known it, but to hear such words from the king’s own mouth made it almost possible, so very real.

“I will not give any of my daughters over to some flop of a man. You must understand this.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“But I like you, Aleck. You may not have been born royalty, but there is a sharpness about you—a sound mind that does much to please a father with so many precious daughters. If you continue to prove your worth and solve this riddle for us, I give you my solemn vow, you may have the hand of any of my daughters you wish.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” He shook his head. “It is a wonderful reward, indeed, but I would only accept such a prize if the princess herself is willing. I do not offer my assistance because of the reward—it is because I was asked by your daughter to do so. Nothing more. I would help any, if I had the means and ability, any at all.”

The king leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his jaw a moment and stared at him a long while. Finally he said, “I believe you. And I believe you are just the man I have been hoping for. Cascadia was right. She often is, which is why I sent for you, but she truly has found a hidden gem. I wish you luck, my boy.” He stood up and held out his hand.

Aleck quickly stood, and the two men clasped forearms.

“You will begin this moment,” the king said. “Let us put an end to this charade immediately.”

“I agree.”

He rang a bell at his desk. “Good. Now let me introduce you to my butler and head housekeeper. They will be sure to find you decent clothing, as well. You will be dining with us and sleeping in the guest quarters. You may travel anywhere you wish, and ask for whatever you need. Also, I will speak personally with Smoot and let him know you are doing an errand for me. Is there anything else I have not thought of?”

“Do you mind if I bring a few of my things in from my room at the stables?”

“You may do whatever you wish. Ah. Here is the butler now. Simmons, this is Aleck Littleham. He is my particular guest for the next three nights. See that he is well taken care of.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CASEY LOOKED UP AS her father walked into the music room. She was sitting on the settee working on her embroidery as she listened to Damalis practice the piano. Well, she was
attempting
to work on her embroidery, since her mind continued to wander, worrying over the meeting with Aleck and never quite settling on the stitches she was creating. After the third time of redoing the same row, she was grateful to see her father enter the room, distracting her from her farce.

He sat down next to her. He waved his hand at Damalis when she paused in her playing. “Continue—it is lovely,” he said.

She smiled, blushed, and began to play again, the soft melody filling the room.

Their father used to be full of compliments and encouraging words. These days he seemed too tired to notice his daughters. Casey knew Damalis would treasure his simple comment for a long while.

“So, I have spoken with your young man.”

Casey’s heart clenched and then began to beat excessively. She feigned ignorance. “Oh? And how did that go?”

“Hmm …” He leaned back and settled his ankle over one knee.

“Father?”

She could just make out a teasing grin beneath his mustache and beard.

“Yes?” He did not look over.

“What do you think of Aleck Littleham?”

He chuckled lightly. “I think he is …” he said, and his voice trailed off.

She nudged the king with her elbow. “Tell me, please.”

He glanced at her, his tired eyes looking at her almost as if for the very first time. “My, my, you do like this young man, do you not?”

She sighed and glanced down at her embroidery. “Yes. Perhaps too much.”

“Why?”

She shook her head, her eyes blindly looking at the fabric before her. “I do not know, exactly. It is perhaps the way I feel around him. There is something—something so steady. So calming and reassuring and good about him.”

“Yes.”

She looked at her father.

“Yes. I felt that too.” He grinned. “And he is handsome, to boot.”

She rolled her eyes and tried to hide her answering smile. “That does not signify, and you know it.”

“Oh! Does it not, now?” He laughed, but not loudly enough to disrupt Damalis from her playing.

She decided to ignore his question. “I take it you approved of him?”

“Yes, I did. Much more than I anticipated I would. You have a very sound head upon your shoulders. And it pleases me.” His expression was serious for a moment.

“Thank you, Father.”

He nodded and took a deep breath. “I fear you girls are growing up without me. I am not sure how to take it. You are seeking advice and help from young men and dancing until all hours of the night …” He grinned when she rolled her eyes again. “No, but honestly, my daughters are stunningly beautiful women and I had no idea they had grown. When did you mature? The last I knew, you were all itty-bitty rascals needing a nurse to keep you in line. Now—”

Her hands tightened around the fabric. She could not believe what she was hearing. “Yes?”

“Now you need a father to beat the rogues away with a stick and ensure you are protected and safe.”

She gasped. “You did not beat Aleck, did you?”

“Heavens, no! Though if I find he touches any of you, I will not hesitate to send him to the gallows. Curse or no curse, neglectful father or not, you are still my daughters, and I love you all excessively.”

The piano halted. Damalis was staring at them both, tears forming in her eyes.

“Come here.” He beckoned to her. “Come here. I love you, too.” He held out his arm, and she instantly pushed away from the instrument and flew to her father. Wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, she snuggled onto the settee next to him.

“I have missed you, Papa,” Damalis whispered, causing tears to spring into Casey’s eyes as well.

Casey felt the king wrap his free arm around her and pull her into his other side.

“I have missed you both as well. I have missed you all.” He kissed them upon their brows. His fuzzy beard tickled Casey’s cheek as he did so.

And then he said the words Casey had been positive she would never hear spring from his lips. “I believe it is time to truly see and get to know my daughters again. Your father has a lot of making up to do, so be patient with me. And forgive me for my neglect. Perhaps this curse will prove itself a blessing after all.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THAT NIGHT AT DINNER, Casey was excited to see her father enter the dining room. The girls around her tittered their amazement and approval at his appearance as he sat in the long-awaited empty captain’s chair at the head of the table. There was a vacant place next to his right for their guest, and Casey did not have to wait long before she saw Aleck enter with the butler.

Many of the girls were talking excitedly with their father and did not see Aleck straight away. Casey watched as he scanned the large table. When their eyes locked, her heart jumped.

He grinned.

It was then that she noticed how truly handsome he appeared. She had never before seen him in evening wear. Indeed, he was a striking man in dirty trousers, but with a waistcoat and tie and tails, he was simply stunning. He looked like royalty. Her heart began to beat frantically.

She watched as he spotted the empty seat in front of him. It was next to Abigail. As the eldest, it was her right to have the guest of honor near her. Alex’s brow furrowed slightly.

Casey hoped it was because he had wished to sit next to her. It could not have been too horrid for him, though; as the third eldest, she was merely across from him and over one. Near enough to reach across the table and touch hands, if they wished to do so. And it was much easier to watch the other person this way, see his mannerisms and the like.

He seemed a bit nervous, but hid it well as the butler announced his presence.

The room stilled.

Twelve very curious, very eager pairs of eyes looked in his direction.

All at once the girls became even livelier, and their smiles widened. It would seem Casey was not the only one who thought the gardener cleaned up nicely.

“Have a seat, Aleck,” her father said as he pointed to the chair. “I would like to introduce you to my daughters.”

Aleck sat and glanced at Casey, catching her eye. They shared a quick grin before her father began the introductions.

“To your left is Abigail, my oldest, and then Beatrice is on my other side. Cascadia you know, and then we have Damalis, Eunice …”

Her gaze never left Aleck, and she giggled quietly to herself as she watched him attempt to put faces to the names of the sisters he was being introduced to. He had known their names all his life and had seen a few, but was now finally putting them altogether for the very first time. It must be daunting.

The king kept up a fun and animated banter until the first course came. At that point, Casey watched a look of panic flash across Aleck’s features as he glanced down at the number of silver utensils upon the table. Of course! He most likely had only used but one utensil at a meal. He would have no notion how to go about eating with such a vast array.

After a few silent pleas for him to look over at her, he finally did. When she was certain he was watching, she picked up the outside fork, indicating it was the one he should use.

A look of relief passed over his features as he collected the proper utensil and then began to eat as he should. The rest of the meal went on without mishap. He was very quick to learn and imitate their ways. In fact, by the end of supper, it seemed he had been raised as royalty, so great were his manners.

They retired to the drawing room, where Damalis played softly on the piano in the background whilst the other princesses gathered around Aleck. Her sisters were eager to gain his attention and asked many questions. Casey stayed back and watched the interactions with a rueful smile. It was clear Aleck wished to be next to her and not her sisters. He would live without her for a bit. It was no doubt good for him to get to know them all, anyway.

However, as they were heading to their rooms to retire for the night, he stopped her in the corridor. “Princess Cascadia, may I have a word with you?”

Casey’s silly heart began to race again. “Yes, of course.”

Abigail cleared her throat and motioned for the girls to follow her. One by one, the group went around the couple and down the hall toward their room, her sisters stealing glances behind them as they went.

“We need details of all you speak of!” Beatrice teasingly chanted while the others giggled.

Casey flushed and waved her sisters away. When they were out of earshot, she asked, “What is it?”

He searched her features for a moment. “Your father has made it clear I only have three nights to solve this.”

Oh, dear. She took a deep breath. “That is not very long at all.”

“No, it is not.”

“What if you fail?”

“I believe I will be dismissed. The truth is, if he trusts me enough to come into close proximity with his daughter, I risk even more if I fail. There are his most treasured possessions.”

“His what?”

“You. You and your sisters mean more to him than anything. And when I spoke with him, he did allow for my speculations on what was happening, respecting my conclusions as if I could truly help him. But if I fail at this, I am not certain I will have a position at the castle anymore.”

What would his family do then? “Why risk it?” She reached forward and clutched his elbow. “Do not do this. It is not worth the price of losing …” She trailed off and glanced down at the ground.