Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(83)
He adjusts the cuffs of his sleeves, as though they were chafing his wrists. There’s anxiety written in his face. “Several days ago, when I was on a hunting trip up north, Aunt Margaret invited you to tea. She had a sudden heart attack, and you brought her to the hospital. The staff contacted me when I returned.”
I nod. “Is she all right now?”
Lord Mansfield wipes his forehead, which is dotted with sweat. “She has disappeared.”
“No! Seriously? She never returned home?”
“Never. Her conditions were stabilized, and the doctor was all prepared to write me a note and ask to have her sent home, but when he went to check on her, her bed was empty. They conducted a search in the entire hospital—they even looked for footprints under the windows—but there was no trace of her.”
“Maybe—” I start, then shut my mouth. Can it be that Meg came for her mother? But why would she take Lady Gregory away, when the old lady is content to remain in Athelia? “How long has it been since she disappeared?”
“Two days.” Lord Mansfield swallows. “I’ve asked her friends in her crochet group, but no one has any idea. Then I remembered the staff had mentioned that you were the one who brought her to the hospital, so I decided to come and ask if you might have any idea.”
I wonder if I should mention Meg, but I decide not to risk it. Athelians don’t believe in fairies and magic. It’s more likely that Lord Mansfield doesn’t know about Lady Gregory’s fairy husband and half-fae daughter; otherwise she wouldn’t have needed me to give that silver lily to Lysander.
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t know.” I give him an apologetic shrug. On the other hand, if Lady Gregory’s disappearance has nothing to do with the fairies, then it is indeed cause for concern. “Have you notified the police?”
“Not yet. You’re the last person I thought of, and since you don’t know where Aunt Margaret might be, I’ll head over to the Metropolitan Police Headquarters now.” Lord Mansfield picks up his hat, then makes me a bow. “I haven’t yet had a chance to thank you, Princess Katriona, for saving my aunt’s life.”
I incline my head in a perfect angle that would make the king and queen proud. “You’re very welcome, Lord Mansfield. I’m glad that I was there that day; Lady Gregory is my friend. Please send a message to me if you receive any word of her whereabouts.”
“I certainly shall.” He bows slightly at Edward and says, “Apologies for interrupting you at work, Your Highness.”
Once Lord Mansfield has left the office, Edward and I look at each other. I had told him all about Lady Gregory. Though he has never met her, Edward always shows concern because if it weren’t for her and Meg, I couldn’t have made it to the ball.
“What do you make of this?” Edward says in a low voice.
I bite the inside of my cheek. “My guess is that Meg came that day when Lady Gregory had a heart attack, failed to see her mother, and later found her at the hospital. But I’m only guessing here. I just hope that she is safe.”
39
A few days later, there’s still no word of Lady Gregory. I pay a visit to Mansfield House; her room looks exactly the same as when I left it, until I realize the handheld mirror is missing. Maybe Lysander finally persuaded Lady Gregory to go back to him and spend the remaining time of her life in the fae realm. Maybe the heart attack changed her mind. Hopefully I’ll hear from her soon.
Back at the palace, I arrive at Edward’s office later than usual. I almost crash into Lord Dudley, who happens to be emerging from Edward’s office.
“Sorry, Your Highness. Didn’t see you coming this way.” He raises his hat and bows. “I . . . His Highness will inform you of my visit.”
And he rushes out, as though he couldn’t bear my presence any longer. Maybe the air that comes from my nostrils is poisoning him.
I shrug and enter Edward’s office. “Did he come to tell you of his decision? Don’t tell me that he accepted our plan. It is easier to believe that Andrew McVean suddenly decided to donate all of his income to charity.”
“His decision is not surprising,” Edward says, pulling out my chair. I once mentioned to him that I can do it by myself, but he tells me that he is doing it because he welcomes my company, not because he’s adhering to some old-fashioned gentleman code in Athelia. “He told me that the ministry would support the plan once Parliament approves.”
“So, this is it, then.” I sigh. “We’ll have to go through the same process as we did for the Eight-Hour Act.”
“There is still a long time until Parliament re-opens,” Edward says in a soothing tone. “You can do research in the library, and with experience from last time, we can use a similar sentiment to appeal to the public.”
I nod. It’s likely to be a long journey, but I’m going to do my best to improve the welfare of my subjects. I refuse to be a conventional princess whose only purpose in life is to bear heirs.
After helping him proofread a draft for a trade agreement, I return to the suite, feeling like taking a nice long nap on the sofa near the window seat. No sooner have I snuggled on the sofa with a couple of cushions, when Mabel comes bouncing into the study, exclaiming that I have a party invitation.