The Princess and the Pauper by Kate Brian

Author:Kate Brian
Language: eng
Format: epub

The Princess and the Pauper

Chapter 17

Walking into the embassy was like walking into a fairy tale. And not the creepy kind where someone gets eaten by a wolf. Everything and everyone in the building seemed to gleam. The walls were covered with thick wine-colored velvet drapery, and every gold and brass fixture shone in the twinkling lights of the huge chandeliers. The women were dripping with jewelry, and their gowns put the red carpet at the Oscars to shame. The guests sipped from sparkling champagne glasses, and a five-piece orchestra played classical music just loud enough to be heard over the hushed conversation. It took me a moment to rearrange my expression from one of total amazement to calm indifference. I just hoped no one had noticed my mouth hanging open before I had the chance to correct it.

“Oh! Here comes the duchess of Thames,” Ingrid said under her breath as a huge woman with cleavage everywhere rapidly approached us. “Ask her how dear, sweet Muffy is.”

My heart thunked, anticipating my first real test. “Princess Carina!” the woman said, her strong perfume

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filling my nostrils. “What a pleasure to see you again.” She bowed slightly and then took both my hands in hers. “I trust your parents are well.”

“Yes, thank you,” I replied, glancing at Ingrid. “And how is dear ... sweet... Muffy?” I tilted my head slightly the way Carina did when she asked a question.

The duchess turned pink with pleasure. “Oh, what a dear you are, remembering my poor little dog!” she said. “I'm afraid she has a bit of the arthritis, but she's otherwise fine.” She smiled, seeming truly touched by my question. “Well, I won't keep you. I'm sure you have hundreds of people waiting for you.”

Hundreds? I thought, swallowing hard and hoping my sudden spike in body heat wasn't visible anywhere on my body. I have to do this hundreds of times?

“Thank you,” I told the duchess. “It was nice to see you again.”

Ingrid hooked her arm through mine and led me across the room. “That was perfect,” she said. “You might not need me after all.”

“If you leave me, I'll kill you,” I replied. Ingrid laughed and whacked me on the back--hard.

“You're stuck with me for the night. Don't worry.”

Fröken Killroy stood across the room, talking with a distinguished-looking man in a tuxedo. She laughed and brought her hand to her chest, and I suddenly realized she was actually flirting with the man. Well, that was good. Maybe he would keep her occupied all night. I was less concerned about messing up in front of random dignitaries than I was about messing up in front of her.

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A few people came up to Ingrid and me and introduced themselves, and a waiter offered us champagne, which Ingrid grabbed and I quickly refused. Obviously I needed to keep my head clear.

Finally the two double doors next to us opened and a waiter in a white tux stepped into the room. “Ladies and gentlemen! Dinner is now served!” he announced.

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