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Suspicion lifts its head again. Maybe this was a setup. “My date might not appreciate that, Your Royal Highness.”
“Teodor, you will dance with Selina.” The Grand Duchess takes Selina’s hand and puts it on my arm. “You are a faithful servant of the crown. You will be rewarded.”
The suspicion blooms into paranoia. “Rewarded how?”
Selina squeezes my arm. “I will be a much better match for you than that American girl.”
“Match?” I step away from her, pulling my forearm from under her fingers. Backing away, I knock into Andela. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Selina casts a bewildered look at the Grand Duchess. “The negotiations were a package deal. Elizabeta and Eduard. You and I.”
I gape at her for a moment, then turn to my aunt who watches us with a frown. Does she look… nervous? “What is she talking about, Madame? Did you offer to sell me off like a prize hog?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Her gaze slides away, and her shoulders twitch.
Count Distler-Herbst takes a half step toward us. “Is the boy reneging on our agreement?”
“I didn’t agree to anything. I wasn’t even aware anything was being negotiated.” I turn to the girl beside me. “I’m sorry, Lady Selina. I know nothing about any of this. I wouldn’t be here with Eva if I?—”
“Eva?” The Grand Duchess has always believed the best defense is an offense. She glares at me. “Your American friend? This is not an American rave.” She spits out the words with distaste. If the situation weren’t so serious, I’d laugh at her choice of words. “This is an official state function, and you will do your part. The rest of our discussions can wait.”
Andela steps in front of the Grand Duchess as the monarch turns to take her place. “Did you seriously try to betroth Teo to this woman to seal the deal for Eduard? This isn’t the seventeenth century! Besides, we aren’t supposed to be working tonight.”
The Grand Duchess turns white with fury. She turns her icy glare on Andela. “You are not required to work tonight. You are done picking and choosing which functions you’ll grace with your presence. As of now, it’s all or nothing.” She points down the hall. “You are free to return to your usual Friday night activities, but if you leave, don’t bother coming back. For anything. Ever.”
Andela goes pale. She stares at our aunt for a long moment, then lifts her chin. “Teo, tell Hans and the girls I’ll see them at Rosenhäuschen.” Without a word to anyone else, she sweeps away.
Inside, a little part of me cheers. Andela has always been the bravest—and most rebellious—of us. But I’ve never seen her stand up to our aunt quite like that. A tremor runs through me—what will the repercussions be? And am I brave enough to do the same thing?
Earlier tonight I decided I will go wherever Eva wants me to go. Do I have the courage to make that a reality? Surely my father will back me, no matter what I do. And my mother was the first one to walk away from the monarchy, even though she never really got out. Can I follow their example?
“If you do this, you will not be welcome in Rosenhäuschen either!” The Grand Duchess is spitting with fury. Behind her, a broad smile stretches across Eddie’s face, as if he’s enjoying the spectacle. The count and countess stare with wide eyes as their elder daughter whispers furiously at them.
Andela turns to walk backward down the hall, waving both arms wildly as she yells, “I don’t care! I don’t live there anyway! I’m going home!”
The Grand Duchess turns smoothly back to the count and countess, her face now blank, her tone icy but conciliatory. “I am so sorry you had to witness that. Andela has always been a wild card, and it’s time we stop letting her behave like a child. I wish that conversation could have been held in private, but you’ll be family soon enough. I apologize for her dreadful behavior. Shall we go in?”
The count gestures at me. “I think we need to clear the air on this other… situation.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.” The countess speaks for the first time, bobbing a little curtsey as she does. “You did promise my girls would be together.”
“When the time comes, I have no doubt Teodor will do his part.” My aunt gives me a warning glare.
I stare at her. “And what, exactly, is my part?”
Chapter Thirty-Two
EVA
Finding Teo is way harder than it should be. I’m starting to have serious sympathy for Prince Charming and his glass slipper. Actually, I think my job is harder. There are hundreds of people here, maybe thousands, but women dress to stand out. The men all wear dark suits.
Except that one Scottish guy in the formal kilt, but he’s also huge with a bushy red beard, so he’s easy to rule out.
I make my way through the crowd, sliding between clumps of people chattering, giggling, and whispering. More than one person mentions something about an engagement, but I don’t have time to listen to gossip. Besides, I don’t care if Eduard gets engaged. I feel sorry for the girl, but maybe he’ll grow up?
I get through the throngs in the dining hall and wander into the ballroom. The string players are back, and they’re playing a fast waltz. Well-dressed couples spin around the dance floor in time to the music. It makes me a little homesick. Dancing plays a big role in Rotheberg festivals, although we usually have a lot more accordion and a lot less cello.
I giggle at the thought of Hans joining the string players. Maybe after he and Lina eat all the lobster, he’ll take a turn on stage. I should have accepted their offer to help me find Teo, but I figured he’d be in the main room. They said someone took him to see the Grand Duchess. Surely she’s done with him by now?
