The Lady and the Wish Read online

  I stood there with my mouth hanging open for longer than I care to recall. “But the problem is happening right now!”

  “Is someone ill, lost, or injured?”

  I couldn’t quite meet his gaze. “Um, no, but . . . Where is the Magical-Creature Controller, anyway? He was supposed to contact me last night.”

  The clerk’s brows drew together. “He was called out to an emergency pertaining to his position. I do apologize. I could ask the head gardener if she would be willing to look at your situation instead. She has powerful magic—”

  My heart sank, and I threw my hands up, turning away. “What good would a gardener do me? Lady Beneventi is . . .” I shook my head. “Never mind. How far do I have to drive to get cell service?”

  His bushy gray brows were bunched. “At least five miles beyond the front gate. There are turnouts at regular intervals along the road. I am truly sorry, Lady Gillian.”

  I was already halfway to the doors. I ran along the lakeside walkway, past the crowded beach and boat docks, and down the long, curved driveway. With luck, I could turn around and be back at the castle in thirty minutes, ready to round up my wild-child octogenarian. . . who was my age. Everything about this situation was weird!

  I drove carefully down those mountain roads, blind to the famous scenery, and pulled over in a turnoff. No cell reception. I drove another couple of miles and tried again. Then again. At last, in an open flat stretch with few trees, I had enough reception to make a call.

  Now that the time had come, I felt tense about calling Manny. It was late Sunday morning. He might be at church. Would he even have his phone on?

  He didn’t answer, but I got an immediate text: “I’ll call you right back.”

  Relieved, I sat staring blindly at the snow-topped mountains and shivering until my phone rang.

  “Manny,” I said as soon as I answered, but he interrupted me.

  “Gillian, are you all right? Did you arrive safely?”

  I paused in surprise. “Yes, we did. The trip went smoothly.”

  “That’s good to hear. Sorry I tried to call you last night—I forgot about the lack of cell service at Faraway Castle.” He sounded nervous, apologetic.

  I paused in surprise and checked my phone. “Oh. Yeah. I hadn’t seen the missed call.”

  “So, you’re not calling me back. Is something wrong?”

  “Well, nothing yet that I know of, but you told me to call if I had any trouble with Lady Beneventi.”

  There was a brief pause before he said, “Right. What’s happened?”

  Now that sounded more like Manny. His steady, businesslike voice calmed me.

  “First thing this morning she wished to be my age.”

  “Really? I bet that’s been interesting. What’s happening now?”

  “Now? I can only guess. I had to drive partway down the mountain to get a signal—the phone at the front desk isn’t working. Will you let the Trefontane family know? She borrowed my clothes, latched onto a bunch of guys at breakfast, and ran off with them to play. I might be worrying for nothing, but one of the men she’s with is Prince Max, and you know what he’s like. Also, Lord Ludovic and Lord Carevo—the rest of the beach-volleyball players.”

  “I’ll be there as fast as possible. Meanwhile, notify the resort staff so everyone can keep an eye on Lady B. She was a pistol in her day, and I wouldn’t assume she’s gained much wisdom since then. Don’t trust her for a moment.”

  “All right. I’ll follow her around like a puppy, even if she yells at me.” Somehow, knowing that Manny was coming bolstered my courage.

  “You do that. I’ll see you soon.” His voice had a tender tone that melted me to my core. “Should be there before sundown. Just be . . . be careful.” I got the impression he wanted to say more.

  “I will. You be careful too. See you soon.” Yeah, my voice probably sounded like hot honey, but I couldn’t help it.

  After ending the call, I sat there in a happy daze for at least a minute, remembering and savoring his words and tones. Then reality returned. What about our previous conversation? He was not in love with me! How much had I been reading into his voice all these months?

  Irked at myself, I started the car, backed up, and turned the wheel to reverse my direction.

  I pulled back onto the road and was just getting up to speed when a red convertible flashed into view around a corner. I slowed, and so did the other car, just long enough for me to recognize Max in his Bonnah . . . Bunni . . . His fancy car.

  And the girl with him . . . Catriona.

  She gave me a wave and a laughing smile.

  I braked to a stop right there on the curvy road. “Stop! Wait! Where are you going?” I shouted, which was ludicrous, since they were long past. There was unlikely to be traffic headed down from Faraway Castle, but I didn’t dare try to make a three-point-turn on that narrow road with limited visibility. My only option was to drive up to the next turn-off and there turn around and follow them. By that time, they would have at least a fifteen-minute lead on me, and Max would be driving far faster than I could or wished to in the sedan.

  But I had to do it. I had to rescue Lady Beneventi from that monster prince!

  I didn’t catch up to them on the mountain road, which was no surprise, and once I got to the city I could only guess where they might have gone. The one factor in my favor was that car; it stood out in any crowd.

  But this was a very large crowd. I spent the next several hours driving around the city from hotels to restaurants to casinos, checking every car park for that Bonappetit car. I forgot about eating, almost ran out of gas but thankfully made a pit stop in time, probably got caught on surveillance cameras in car parks a record number of times, and nearly gave up in despair. For all I knew, Max and Catriona might have picked up some food and returned to the resort already!

  However, I clearly remembered Lady B’s chatter about playing at the casinos back when she was young. Back when there weren’t quite so many, I would guess.

  With this thought in mind, I used my phone to look up casinos in the city and found an older one off the beaten track. The traffic was dreadful, and I thought I would never find the place. When I did, my jaw dropped. Surely they wouldn’t have come here . . . No, there was nothing surely about it. Max would definitely go for the glitziest place around, and Catriona would love it!

  At last I spotted a flash of red in the car park that wasn’t a compact car but the Bona-something with foreign plates. Even then I had to drive around to find a parking space and pay dearly to park. If it was possible for this day to be more frustrating, I did not want to discover how. As soon as I walked up the steps, I knew I was underdressed. This place was more upscale than the others I’d cruised around that day.

  The man at the door looked me up and down with the slightest of sneers. I lifted my chin. “I am Lady Gillian Montmorency of Roxwell, in the party with Prince Maximilian.”

  He raised a skeptical brow, checked the roster of guests, and pursed his lips. “Nothing was said about a third party coming.”

  I huffed a scornful laugh. “Big surprise. Those two think of no one but themselves.”

  “Do you have identification?”

  I did, proving my name and age, and after more fuss and money changing hands, he reluctantly allowed me to enter. I wandered around the various tables until that auburn hair caught my eye.

  No! She couldn’t really be wearing . . . I looked closer. Ye-e-e-s, actually, she could.

  Catriona wore a cocktail dress and shoes I knew without doubt I hadn’t packed for this trip, so she must have raided my wardrobe back at the villa and sneaked the form-fitting, gold lamé party dress and matching pair of glittery designer heels into her own bags.

  I didn’t recognize her gold necklace, earrings, and bracelets with glittering diamonds and emeralds—undoubtedly hers, sneaked along for this very occasion. As soon as I saw her, I knew she had planned this escapade from the day we mentioned bringing her to Faraway Ca
stle.

  She and Max leaned over a table, tossing dice, and either cheering or bemoaning each roll. As I watched, she picked up a drink and downed it. Max handed her another, and she tossed it back too. A row of empties lined the table at her elbow. If she wasn’t drunk already, she would soon be hammered.

  And . . . whoa, that dress was revealing! Did it look that scandalous on me? I approached from Catriona’s side and touched her bare shoulder.

  She turned, gave a guilty start, and frowned. “What are you doing here?”

  “Rescuing you from extreme humiliation,” I said.

  “Well, if it isn’t Gillian, the old-lady nanny.” Prince Max sneered at me over Catriona’s shoulder. “Why did you follow me here? Jealous? Having second thoughts?”

  “I’m doing my job,” I shot back. “Do you know who this person is?”

  He put his arm around Catriona’s waist. “Sure! She’s Catriona Rinaldi,” he said, but I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “What, is she a runaway princess or something?”

  Catriona rolled her eyes and blurted a laugh. “A princess! Hardly. And if I ran away, who can blame me? I’m old enough to choose my own life.”

  I glanced at her. “Was Rinaldi your maiden name?”

  “Shut up, Gillian,” Catriona growled, her blue eyes narrowing even as she wobbled on my heels. “If you spoil this for me, I will make you pay dearly.”

  “Maiden name! Are you married?” Max gave her a frown.

  “No.”

  “She’s a widow,” I informed him.

  “At twenty?” He looked incredulous.

  “Don’t be obnoxious,” Catriona snapped at me. “Max, let’s go somewhere she can’t follow. I’m hungry.”

  “How much have you had to drink?” I asked.

  “I can drink any man under the table. Always could!” she boasted. “Don’t worry about me.” She spoke firmly, but I knew she wasn’t thinking straight. Could dementia affect her despite the magic spell, or was it the liquor?

  I looked her square in the eyes. “Do you know what time it is?”

  “I have plenty of time. We weren’t planning to stay out late,” she said, her gaze shifting about the room in search of a clock.

  I pulled out my cell phone and showed her the time. It was past eight, later than I had realized. “The sun sets late in June, so we have maybe an hour.”

  Max had followed our discussion, his eyes darting from face to face. “What is going on here? How are you two connected?”

  I raised my brows at him. “I already told you.” I didn’t want Lady B to hate me forever, but he needed to get the clue. “There is magic involved here, and I must return her to Faraway Castle by sundown.”

  “You’ll never make that,” he scoffed. “Catriona, did you lie to me?”

  “No! Everything I told you is true. I’m twenty, I’m single, and I know my way around. I’ve come here many times.”

  “You told me no one would care if you ran off with me,” he retorted.

  While they bickered, I noticed the hair on top of Catriona’s head shifting around. I stared at the spot. “This could get ugly very fast,” I muttered, hoping whatever moved her hair might get the hint and care enough to help. “She’s too old for this sort of thing.”

  “You’re absolutely right,” Max snarled at me. “She is too old to have a babysitter. I don’t know why you came here, Gillian, but if you don’t leave now, I will call security and have you dragged out. You had your chance to be a princess. You can stop hoping I’ll take you back.”

  “I haven’t changed my mind, Max. I’m here for Lady Beneventi, and I’m not leaving without her.”

  He frowned, uncomprehending.

  Catriona hauled back and slapped me across the face, then charged me, her polished nails ready to gouge and scratch. Taken by surprise, I barely caught her wrists in time, staggered back, and fell, dragging her down with me. She fought me like a wildcat, screaming and howling, kicking my shins, punching and scratching any part of me she could reach.

  Max dove at us and hauled Catriona off me. She turned on him. “Don’t listen to her! She’s crazy! She’s jealous because I’m more beautiful than she is! I always was! Every man wanted to marry me!” Max held her off easily, dodging her kicks, but I saw growing horror in his face.

  A gentleman helped me to my feet, and I realized quite a crowd had gathered to see the fun. Time was ticking past, and I wasn’t sure what time the sun would set. I had to get Lady B outside and back to the castle before anyone saw her change. “Max, help me take her to the car,” I begged. “I’ve got to take her back. Please!”

  I couldn’t quite hear what else she was saying, but Max must have heard something convincing, because he dropped her like a dirty rag and backed away, his eyes wide and panicky. “She can’t be! That’s impossible!” He rubbed one hand across his mouth and looked ill.

  “Nooooooooo!” Catriona wailed, collapsing to the floor in a ball.

  Max glared at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I’ve been trying to tell you!”

  Swearing and sweating, he collected his money and took off, leaving Catriona weeping on the floor.

  “Come on, we’ve gotta get out of here,” I told her.

  A kind person helped me lift Catriona to her feet, and she hung on me like dead weight as we made our way across the room, the focus of almost every eye. Someone asked me if we were sisters. Without a word, I guided her across the lobby and out the doors. The car park looked endless, but we eventually crossed it, and I helped Catriona into the passenger seat. She was limp now, past weeping. Sunlight glared in my eyes as I turned the car toward the highway. Max’s car was long gone.

  “Did you wear that cocktail dress all day?” I asked once we were out of the car park.

  “No. I changed in the casino bathroom. My bag of clothes is in Max’s car,” she said.

  “It won’t be there for long,” I observed.

  “Is he really the prince who wanted to marry you?”

  “Yes. What were you thinking?”

  “I knew I couldn’t run off with him, but I was going to wish to be young every day we were here and have fun while I could. I hate you, you know.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “I’m starving. We didn’t stop for lunch. He said we would eat dinner at seven.”

  I sighed. “He says a lot of empty words.” I saw a fast-food place and pulled in, grateful to be in a city. I bought her a hamburger, chips, and a drink. With my stomach in knots, nothing sounded appetizing to me. She ate half of it, crumpled the bag, and fell asleep.

  I drove up the mountain amid swiftly lengthening shadows, grateful for the remaining light, but the sun set when we were still miles from the gate. By the time I drove through the lighted gates of Faraway Castle, it was quite dark. My original parking spot was still open, which was no great surprise, so I parked, turned off the engine, and sat there listening to Lady Beneventi’s snores. During that somewhat hair-raising drive—I’m not the best on mountain roads in daylight, let alone after dark—I hadn’t dared to glance at my passenger.

  It was going to be a long walk up to the castle.

  Sitting here wouldn’t make the task easier. I unbuckled my seatbelt, opened the car door, and looked at Lady Beneventi by the interior light. She slumped in her seat, her skinny arms clasped around her shapeless middle. The cocktail dress revealed far too much of her body and legs, and her head hung forward. The ridiculous strappy heels sparkled on her age-spotted feet, and jewels glittered on her withered arms and chest.

  My heart lurched and seemed to swell in my throat. I swallowed hard. She looked so small and helpless. I gathered my little purse and the trash, picked up my hoodie, and climbed out of the car.

  Lady B groaned when I shook her gently. “You can’t sleep in the car all night. We have to get you into the castle and upstairs to your comfortable bed,” I explained.

  She fought me but finally opened her eyes and glared. “What are y
ou doing to me?” she mumbled.

  “Taking care of you,” I said, my heart again feeling too large for my chest. Why was I near tears over this selfish, antagonistic, totally annoying woman? I unfastened her seatbelt, holding her upright, then helped move her feet and legs until they dangled toward the ground. “Easy now,” I murmured, wrapping my hoodie around her nearly bare shoulders and urging her forward.

  “I feel sick,” she moaned.

  “Maybe the fresh air and exercise will help,” I said, trying to sound encouraging.

  She quietly swore at me but did push herself to her feet. I held her shoulders and murmured encouragements, tugging the neckline of her dress a little higher. It didn’t help much.

  With no warning, she vomited her fast-food dinner down the front of me. Frozen in disbelief, I slowly looked down at the hot mess on my shirt, capris, and sneakers. Part of me wanted to shriek in outrage, shove her back into the car, and run to jump into the lake. Instead, I made sure she was stable on her feet, dug some unused napkins out of the fast-food bag, walked a few steps away, and cleaned off the worst of it.

  Lady Beneventi’s bowed legs and puffy feet quaked in those dreadful shoes. I knew she would never make it to the castle. So, I sat her back down and traded my vomit-spotted sneakers for the sparkly gold atrocities with four-inch heels. My shoes were too small on her swollen feet, but at least we should both be able to walk up the drive. If the worst came to the worst, I could walk barefoot.

  While I was changing shoes, she slumped in the seat, but I pulled her back to her feet, shut the car door, and we started off at the speed of a sick snail. To my surprise, one of the little luggage carts waited for us at the end of the row. “Hello, I’m Kai,” said the driver. “You seem to be having some trouble. Need a ride?”

  “Thanks,” I said. “Yeah, we really do need a ride.”

  Without comment on my smelly condition, he climbed out and helped Lady Beneventi climb into the low seat, where she slumped. I perched in back on the luggage rack. Naturally, when I looked and smelled my worst, it had to be a cute guy.