Page 20 of If the Shoe Fits

Chapter Eleven

Iwas surprised how easily the palace guards had let me through. But then, I was sure they'd been told to expect me. Not that I was dressed the part or carrying anything other than a cello. I didn't care, this was far too important for propriety, no matter what anyone said.

A manservant greeted me at the door and indicated for me to follow him, all without saying a word. If anything had scared me about this situation, then this was definitely it.

Maybe I wasn't here to have dinner. Maybe I was really here to be tried for treason, though I couldn't see what I could have done. I shook my head. I'd been watching too many historical dramas if I thought that was the case. No one was tried for treason these days, even if it was still an executable offense.

I followed the servant through several corridors with no idea where we were heading or what would happen when we got there. I could have asked but my nerves were getting the better of me.

A large ornate door stood in front of the two of us and the servant rapped on it twice. The door swung open almost immediately and he stepped inside.

"Your Majesties." He bowed three times. Odd, I'd only expect him to greet the Queen and her new husband like that. Wait...the Queen? Why was the Queen in there? "The Lady Sadie Parker is here, as requested."

He made a come-hither motion with his fingers and I stepped into the room.

The Queen was there, with her husband and three others, two of which I recognised.

"Thank you, Sylvester," the Queen dismissed the man and he shut the door loudly behind me.

I gulped, my nerves back with vengeance.

"Your Majesties." I dipped into three curtsies but didn't do them in any particular direction. How could I when I only knew who two of the royals were. "I must apologise for my outfit, I hadn't realised..." I trailed off, not quite knowing how to explain I hadn't realised I'd be meeting a Queen today.

"It's no bother, Lady Sadie. Why don't you take a seat and we can become better acquainted?" She motioned to the only free seat and I moved to it quickly, slipping my cello below the table and taking the chair for myself.

"I've been told you know Leo."

I nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I think it's safe for you to call me Amara here," she corrected me.

I wasn't sure how I felt about that. She was still my Queen after all.

"If you insist."

A plate appeared in front of me with the most delicious looking salad on it. Glad for something to distract myself with, I picked up my fork and began to eat. After glancing at Amara to check she was first. I didn't want to be rude, even if I had found myself in the oddest situation I could have imagined.

"Vincent tells me you've met too," Amara continued, gesturing to her left where the man was sitting.

"Yes, we've had that pleasure." I nodded towards Vincent.

He smiled back at me and slipped his hand over Amara's, giving it a squeeze. Her eyes softened, confusing me slightly. They almost seemed like they were a couple.

"And this is Albert." She gestured to her right this time where the man I'd seen her marry was sitting looking completely unaffected by the affection she was showing another man. I wasn't too sure what I'd walked in on but decided not to comment.

"Hi," I replied lamely, cursing myself as I did. Had I seriously just greeted my ruler's husband with hi? Oh yes, I had. Not my finest moment there.

"Finally, this is Carter." She gave no other explanation to the fourth man at the table and I didn't ask. But I did get the feeling I was being let in on a big secret which the rest of the world wasn't privy to. I didn't know how I felt about that.

"Hello."

"Evening." He smiled at me, as if he knew what I was thinking.

Instead of paying any more attention to them, I turned my gaze to Leo who was sat opposite me. His face was a painted picture of relief. He hadn't known if I'd actually show up or not. My heart cracked a little, but mostly because I knew he was right to worry. I almost hadn't.

"Leo." My voice cracked over his name, even if it was only one short syllable.

"Sadie," he responded, sounding as affected as I was.

"I heard you're a sublime dancer, Sadie," the Queen interrupted our slight awkwardness, for which I was grateful.

"I wouldn't go quite that far. But I had lessons as a child."

"I'm not surprised, you're the daughter of a Marquis if I'm not mistaken?" She picked up her wine glass and took a dainty sip.

That wasn't such a bad idea. I looked at my own empty glass and was only slightly surprised to discover a servant filling it before my eyes.

"I will be the Marquis as soon as I turn twenty-five," I responded.