Fairy Godmothers, Inc

TEN



Errands


It was almost impossible to strike the right balance of speed and silence when sneaking away in a hurry. The faster he was, the more noise he inevitably made. The more careful and quiet he was, the more time there was for someone—

“Jonathan!”

Jon froze at the sound of his mother’s voice behind him, a little shrill with desperation and suppressed emotion. Briefly, he fantasized about getting his hands on a disappearing spell, then gave in to the inevitable, and dragged a stoic smile onto his face before turning around to face the rapidly approaching queen.

“Hello, Mother.” He caught hold of the book before she was about to slap it against his chest, wondering why in the world he’d thought Lawton was the person he needed to avoid this morning. “I take it you’re upset about something?”

“I thought you were going to take care of this!” Attempting and failing to yank the book back out of Jon’s hands, she blinked back a sudden rush of tears as she jostled the wide velvet circle of her skirts. Presumably, a foot was stamping somewhere underneath the flounces. “Your brother is suffering through something that I . . . I can’t even begin to understand, and you’re just . . . just . . .” She finally let go of the book, hands flying to her chest as she gave her son a teary, affronted glare. “What are you doing?”

“Walking down the hallway,” he replied blandly, keeping his temper in check as he narrowed his eyes at the title of the book in his hands. Defeating the Dragon Within. Where in the world was Rupert getting these books from? Jon knew for certain the castle library hadn’t had anything new added to it since his great-grandfather had developed a thing for really terrible elfish poetry, which his grandmother had quarantined for the sake of the nearby volumes. “And, since you’ve taken the terrible, dangerous book out of his hands, it appears as if you’ve already handled the situation.”

“I didn’t take it out of Rupert’s hands,” the queen corrected sharply, missing the sarcasm. “I couldn’t find his hands, let alone any other part of his poor, fragile body. And I looked everywhere.” She sniffed, eyes filling with dramatic tears. “He normally stops by for a few minutes to let me complain about your father, but I haven’t seen him all day.”

Given his mother’s stellar parenting skills and general level of distractibility, that didn’t necessarily mean anything. Still, it wasn’t as if Rupert was the quietest person in the castle. Flipping the book open, the first edge of uneasiness hit him as he thumbed through several of the book’s illustration-free pages. The margins were filled with what appeared to be extremely confused notes, connected by little arrows and circles to certain parts of the text. There were also several question marks, one of which had been written large enough to cover almost one entire page. All of it was in Rupert’s manly, nearly illegible handwriting.

Maybe he should sit down when all of this was over and have a long, serious talk with Rupert. After, of course, he found every single one of these books and locked them up somewhere.

Still, there was no way he was going to encourage his mother by admitting any of this. Shutting the book with a decisive slap, Jon tucked it under his arm before giving his mother a curt bow. “When I do see Rupert, I assure you I’ll share your worry and displeasure with him in suitably vivid execution,” he said, scanning the hallway behind her for the best exit route. There it was, just past the suit of armor and through the double doors. “Now, however, I’m afraid I have an appointment I’m running late for.”

Before his mother had time to do more than gasp in protest, Jon sidestepped her and hurried toward the aforementioned doors at a pace barely short of running. Once safe inside one of the palace’s many workrooms (medium to medium-large wood-based repairs with an in-house specialist on singing wardrobes and enchanted doorways), Jon handed the book to a passing page and requested that it be taken up to his office. With a friendly nod to the busy craftsmen, he wound his way through the noise and wood shavings to the outside door and freedom. All he had to do was push it open, and then—

“I suggest you give up now. It will make things infinitely easier on both of us.”

Great. Despite the brief, impractical appeal of slamming the door in Lawton’s face and bolting in the opposite direction, Jon sighed and stepped outside completely before shutting the door behind him. “Lawton, I’m really not in the mood for this right now,” he said, doing his best to hide how very much he wanted to be somewhere else. He knew that avoiding this entirely was going to be impossible, but if he could just postpone it for a couple of hours . . . “I’m meeting with several suppliers in town, and if I’m late for the first appointment it’s going to throw the entire day into chaos.”

Lawton glared at Jon as if he hadn’t spoken. “Your father asked me for more information about your Fairy Godmother, Jon, very reasonably assuming that your best friend would know more about the apparent love of your life than a man who spends most of his life figuring out the most effective places to hide.” Lawton’s voice, for once, didn’t contain even a trace of humor. “That very reasonable assumption did not actually turn out to be true.”

“It wasn’t as if I planned it that way, Lawton. I hadn’t wanted any of you to meet her yet.”

Lawton raised an eyebrow. “Oh, that’s a comforting response.”

Jon’s eyes narrowed into a glare. “If it mattered that much, why didn’t you just send one of your spies to figure out who I was meeting? As this morning has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, I’m clearly no good at sneaking around without people noticing.”

Lawton shot Jon a long, piercingly silent look, expression free of even the barest flicker of emotion. “Did that help?” he said finally, voice tight.

Jon stared at Lawton for a moment, then sighed. “Not really.” He rubbed a hand across his eyes, knowing the truth would be more effective than any apology he tried to offer. “It’s just . . .” He hated feeling guilty. “I haven’t exactly told Kate what I do for a living.”

Both Lawton’s eyebrows lifted. “And when, precisely, were you planning on breaking the news to your beloved? Your wedding? Your third anniversary? The first time someone tries to drop a crown on her head, perhaps?”

“I’ll tell her.” Jon nearly growled in frustration. It would not be a good idea, he knew, to meet Kate in this mood. “As soon as I’ve got the Rupert and Rellie situation handled—”

“Your father mentioned that particular detail as well,” Lawton cut in, his normal, dryly amused expression back in place. “Please extend my deepest sympathies to the girl.”

It took a considerable amount of restraint for Jon not to actually growl this time. “As soon as I have the Rupert and Rellie situation handled,” he repeated firmly, “I will take Kate to a nice, quiet little restaurant where neither of us has to even think the word work. I will then buy her a wildly expensive meal, and after she’s started eating, explain to her that the real reason I work in the palace is because, technically, I’m a prince. If I do it right, hopefully she’ll forgive me before they bring out the dessert.”

Lawton studied Jon with a certain amount of fascination. “If you’re that aware forgiveness will be required, then why sidestep the truth in the first place? Most people see someone with royal lineage as a rather considerable romantic coup.”

Jon hesitated, then sighed. “She . . . she talks to me, Lawton. When I tell her things about work she not only doesn’t roll her eyes, she actually seems to understand. She’s spending her Saturday keeping me company while I run errands, and she let me give her dancing lessons I know she didn’t want because they gave me a reason to keep hanging around while she was working.” He lifted his hands helplessly. “Things like that never happen to Prince Jonathan.”

No one spoke for a moment.

“I see,” Lawton said finally, expression far more gentle. “Clearly, I must meet this woman, if for no other reason than to get a head start on the sparklingly witty toast I will be expected to deliver at your wedding.”

Jon’s eyes widened at the comment. “Actually, it’s probably a good idea that you not mention the word ‘wedding’ yet.” At Lawton’s raised eyebrow, he continued, “I know, I know, but I haven’t had nearly enough time to work on my lead in. After the ball . . .”

Though the too-knowing expression was still on his face, Lawton gestured his acquiescence. “We’ll focus on today, then. Were you planning on taking a moment to purchase flowers of some sort as a peace offering for being late?”

Jolted by the reminder of the time, Jon looked down at his watch and swore softly. “I’d planned on the flowers, but as a peace offering,” he muttered to himself, moving past Lawton to hurry down the pathway. As he had expected, Lawton followed him. “I cannot believe I keep doing this to her . . .”

“If we take my private carriage, we can hurry the process along somewhat,” Lawton contributed. “We can walk the last few blocks, as is undoubtedly your normal practice during these interludes.”

“Oh, really?” Even when Lawton was right, it was always a good idea not to let him get too comfortable about it. “How can you be so sure of that?”

“The same way I know you plan on forging the king’s signature on any purchase forms to keep Katharine from connecting your name to the royal family.” It was impossible not to hear the smile in Lawton’s voice. “I’ve taught you well.”


Threading his way through Rapunzel Square’s traditional crush of morning shoppers, Jon fought the urge to smooth his hair one more time as he searched through the swirling people for a glimpse of Kate. It helped that his hands were currently occupied protecting a recently purchased bouquet of spring flowers from being battered into a colorful but definitely unromantic smear.

From behind, Lawton gave him an impatient tap on the shoulder. “I’m aware that a man in love is rarely inclined to listen to reason, but wouldn’t a quieter meeting place have been more conducive to encouraging a budding romance?”

“I wanted her to get a real taste of the city,” Jon replied absently, a nicely casual response that revealed nothing of his irrational, little-boy hope for Kate to love it just as much as he did. “Besides,” he added, still making his way through the crowd, “we’re meeting in that little garden area on the south side of the ornamental tower, which is as close to quiet as you can get on a . . .”

The words trailed off as he finally found Kate, who seemed to be caught up in a rather animated discussion with a brown-haired young man Jon had never met before. Given his almost transparent wings, and that Kate looked like she was enjoying the discussion, it seemed more than likely she’d brought him along from the office.

Jon slowed to a stop, deeply annoyed with the universe as a whole as he narrowed his eyes at the man.

A moment later, Lawton stepped beside Jon in order to get a better look at the situation. “She looks promising,” he decided after a moment. “Clearly able to hold her own in a conversation, and pleasant enough to the eye not to intrude upon her other attributes.” When Jon didn’t respond, Lawton turned to look at him. “I feel inspired to gently point out that she’s not the only person who brought a guest along to this little gathering. And, though I am rarely a betting man, I would wager that she’s planning on having her guest depart as quickly as you are yours.”

Jon slowly exhaled, feeling stupid. “Well,” he said briskly, starting forward again, “at least you’re the only one who saw that.”

“Not that I’m ever going to let you forget it.”

There was no safe response to that, but Jon was thankfully saved from having to admit it when Kate caught sight of them. When her eyes met his and lit up, everything else was forgotten. She called his name, waving as if she didn’t already have his full attention. She was out of uniform for once, with a clingy violet top and long, flowing gray skirt, and Jon was suddenly convinced that whoever had invented poufy dresses had no idea what men actually found beautiful.

Maybe there was a way to get ball gowns outlawed.

Finding himself grinning, Jon hurried forward until he was sufficiently close enough to reach out and take Kate’s hand. “Should I start with a heroically dramatic and possibly believable explanation for why I’m late, or just get down on my knees and beg for your forgiveness?”

Kate laughed. “You weren’t that late.” She moved a little closer, squeezing his hand. “Besides, the worst that could happen is that I would have given in and bought something at that little bakery a few doors down.”

Jon held out the flowers toward her. “Will these make up for the fact that you didn’t? I didn’t know what your favorites were, but . . .”

His heartbeat sped up as her eyes widened, then blinked in what appeared to be slightly awed delight. “You brought me flowers,” she said softly, smiling at him as if he’d done something wonderful. Kate took the bouquet, hand lingering against his, then leaned over and pressed a quick kiss against cheek. “Thank you.”

She looked slightly embarrassed as she pulled back, but didn’t apologize or let go of his hand. Jon was possessed by a sudden, wild urge to run out and buy her an entire flower shop. Or perhaps an ornamental garden.

Before his imagination could get far enough to offer her the nearest enchanted forest, Lawton stepped forward. “Pardon the intrusion, but I’ve heard so much about you,” he said smoothly, hand held out in a silent request for hers. “I’m Lawton, an old friend of Jonathan’s. I must say, I am extremely pleased to meet you.”

Kate began to give him her hand when she realized it still held the bouquet. She stared at it for a second, as if trying to decide something, then squeezed Jon’s hand again as she turned to her friend with a sheepish expression. “Can you hold these for a second?” she asked, holding out the flowers.

Jon’s chest tightened as Kate’s friend grinned and held out a hand. She gratefully passed over the flowers before giving Lawton the free hand he’d asked for. “Sorry about that. I’m Kate, and it’s nice to meet you. Don’t give Jon too much trouble about letting us use the room for my client’s dance lesson. He was really doing me a huge favor.”

Looking highly amused by the entire exchange, Lawton dropped a precise courtly kiss on Kate’s knuckles. “Believe me, my dear Katharine, I have plenty of other things to torment the man about. I must say, though, I had no idea Fairy Godmothers were allowed to be so much more exquisite than the average princess.”

Eyebrow raised, Kate gave him a wry smile. “Do I dare ask what you mean by ‘average,’ or am I better off not knowing?”

The question was enough to startle a chuckle out of Lawton, who kissed her hand again. “You’ll fit in beautifully, my dear.”

Before Kate could ask what precisely it was that Lawton meant by his little statement, Jon held his free hand out toward Kate’s associate. “I’m afraid we haven’t quite finished the introductions. I’m Jon. I’ve been working with Kate on her current assignment.”

The other man smiled. “I’m Ned, and I work with her the rest of the time.” They shook hands. “I’ve been hoping I’d get the chance to meet you.”

Jon’s eyebrows quirked up in interest as Kate shot Ned a look that was both confused and faintly alarmed. Seeing it, Ned flushed slightly. “You finally let his name slip Wednesday when I got you talking about working with Rellie. And as excited as you’ve been to go to your appointments, I knew something had to be up.”

Kate’s cheeks reddened, and Jon carefully wiped the grin off his face before she had the chance to glance in his direction. “I’m always happy to meet a friend of Kate’s,” he said instead. “But I’m afraid she and I really need to be going.”

At this, Lawton shot Ned a sly grin that was anything but comforting. “And while they’re gone, you and I can retire to the nearest bottle of scotch and swap stories about our dear occupied friends.”

Ned’s eyes widened briefly in horrified fascination at the possibility, but thankfully, he shook his head. “Actually, I really need to be getting back to the office,” he said, and Jon noticed a relieved expression on Kate’s face that matched his own. “The more files I get organized now, the fewer I have to do when Bubbles is there looking over my shoulder.” Ned turned to Kate. “I’ll put those old research files back for you, too.”

“Thanks.” She paused. “Do you want me to start the door for you?” When he nodded, she pulled her wand out from her waistband and began sketching a complicated pattern in the air.

While this was happening, Jon turned to Lawton, who was watching Kate work with fascination. Normally, Jon would have been supportive, but right now he was very unwilling to encourage anything that kept him from getting some alone time with Kate. “It’s time for you to really need to be getting back to the palace,” he muttered, nudging Lawton in the shoulder and gesturing back in the direction they’d come.

Lawton raised an amused eyebrow, but didn’t respond until the glow had faded and Kate turned back to the two men. “My dear lady, I’m afraid I must say farewell,” he told her, sketching a quick bow before turning to leave. “Jon’s possessive streak is beginning to show.”

Jon’s glare followed him through the crowd, but it faded when Kate squeezed his hand again. When he turned to look at her, she grinned. “They just wanted to make the idea of running errands seem relaxing,” she said warmly, her thumb gently trailing back and forth along his knuckles—it did wonders for improving his mood. “So, where are we going first?” she asked.

Jon lifted their joined hands to kiss the back of hers. “Actually, I was thinking those errands could wait a little while. Let’s get started on that tour of the city I promised you.”

“Sounds good to me.” Still smiling, Kate looked out at the swirling crowds. “I know I haven’t seen much of it yet, but I think I could really get to like this place.”