Read Online Essence Of The Heart (The Royal Tutor) by Daris Howard - Free Book Online Page A

her
father.
     
          Alexander slowly raised his eyes to meet hers. She held out her
hand to him and smiled. He stood as if in shock for what seemed like the
longest time, and slowly, ever so slowly, but just as surely, he smiled back
at her. She could see a sparkle of tears form in the corner of his eyes as he
gently took her hand in his. He escorted her to the dance floor and the
music softly began to play. As they danced, she felt as if they were all alone
in the huge ballroom. His arms felt so right around her. No one else
danced as the shock of her decision settled on everyone.
     
          She looked at her parents. Her father was frowning, but both her
mother and Lady Margaret were smiling through their tears. As the song
ended, they stopped and stood for a moment and just looked at each other.
It was as if their feelings were speaking through their eyes and nothing more
needed to be said. Then they turned to the people of the hall, and he bowed
and she curtsied. The men bowed back and the women curtsied in reply.
Grabbing Alexander's hand, she pulled him toward the hallway.
     
          Her father arose. "Where do you think you're going?"
     
          She hardly paused. "We, Father, are going to get some food."
     
          When they reached the hallway, Alexander pulled her to face him.
"Thank you, Princess, for the dance."
     
          She smiled at him. "You are my choice, Alexander. And please call
me Louise."
     
          He smiled at her again, but there was something she could sense -
something he was holding back - something he was not saying. She
squeezed his hand, and together they hurried off to the kitchen. He retrieved
meats and cheeses, milk and juice from the ice house. He went to the pantry
and brought out breads and cakes. When they had eaten their fill, he said he
had a special surprise. He returned to the ice house and came back with a
big bowl of raspberries. He said they were the very first of the season, and
he wanted her to taste something. He filled a smaller bowl with raspberries
and poured milk over them. He then took honey candy, crushed it into
small pieces, and sprinkled it on top, where it quickly melted. He pushed
the bowl in front of her.
     
          She cautiously tasted it. When it touched her tongue, she squealed
with delight. "That is wonderful!"
     
          Alexander looked pleased. "It's not really something you would eat
for dinner, but I happened on it one night when I snuck down here seeking a
midnight snack. I was about six. Back then I used honey, but after I learned
about honey candy from the Eastern trader, I liked it better. It's also good
on blackberries, currants and other things. I found out, though, that it takes
a whole lot more than honey candy to make gooseberries edible."
     
          She laughed to think of Alexander as a small boy sneaking down to
the kitchen and making up his own snacks. "Did you do that often?"
     
          He blushed as he filled his own bowl with raspberries. "Still do."
     
          She gasped. "You still do?"
     
          He nodded. "That's the only way to get the really good stuff. You
have to wait until everyone is in bed. It beats those fancy things they serve
us at meal times."
     
          She laughed again. The food that Alexander and his family ate was
much simpler than what was served at the palace. And thinking of
Alexander, always good and right Alexander, sneaking around at night, was
funny.
     
          Alexander enjoyed her laughter and continued. "The cook used to
think there were fairies or imps getting into her kitchen, but one night, she
laid wait for me and caught me."
     
          "Did she tell your mother?" Louise asked.
     
          Alexander grinned. "Not that I know of, but I've shared most of my
favorite foods with my