Read Online The Twelve Dancing Princesses (Faerie Tale Collection) by Jenni James - Free Book Online

immediately.”
    “I agree.”
    He rang a bell at his desk. “Good. Now let me introduce you to my butler and head housekeeper. They will be sure to find you decent clothing, as well. You will be dining with us and sleeping in the guest quarters. You may travel anywhere you wish, and ask for whatever you need. Also, I will speak personally with Smoot and let him know you are doing an errand for me. Is there anything else I have not thought of?”
    “Do you mind if I bring a few of my things in from my room at the stables?”
    “You may do whatever you wish. Ah. Here is the butler now. Simmons, this is Aleck Littleham. He is my particular guest for the next three nights. See that he is well taken care of.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    CASEY LOOKED UP AS her father walked into the music room. She was sitting on the settee working on her embroidery as she listened to Damalis practice the piano. Well, she was attempting to work on her embroidery, since her mind continued to wander, worrying over the meeting with Aleck and never quite settling on the stitches she was creating. After the third time of redoing the same row, she was grateful to see her father enter the room, distracting her from her farce.
    He sat down next to her. He waved his hand at Damalis when she paused in her playing. “Continue—it is lovely,” he said.
    She smiled, blushed, and began to play again, the soft melody filling the room.
    Their father used to be full of compliments and encouraging words. These days he seemed too tired to notice his daughters. Casey knew Damalis would treasure his simple comment for a long while.
    “So, I have spoken with your young man.”
    Casey’s heart clenched and then began to beat excessively. She feigned ignorance. “Oh? And how did that go?”
    “Hmm …” He leaned back and settled his ankle over one knee.
    “Father?”
    She could just make out a teasing grin beneath his mustache and beard.
    “Yes?” He did not look over.
    “What do you think of Aleck Littleham?”
    He chuckled lightly. “I think he is …” he said, and his voice trailed off.
    She nudged the king with her elbow. “Tell me, please.”
    He glanced at her, his tired eyes looking at her almost as if for the very first time. “My, my, you do like this young man, do you not?”
    She sighed and glanced down at her embroidery. “Yes. Perhaps too much.”
    “Why?”
    She shook her head, her eyes blindly looking at the fabric before her. “I do not know, exactly. It is perhaps the way I feel around him. There is something—something so steady. So calming and reassuring and good about him.”
    “Yes.”
    She looked at her father.
    “Yes. I felt that too.” He grinned. “And he is handsome, to boot.”
    She rolled her eyes and tried to hide her answering smile. “That does not signify, and you know it.”
    “Oh! Does it not, now?” He laughed, but not loudly enough to disrupt Damalis from her playing.
    She decided to ignore his question. “I take it you approved of him?”
    “Yes, I did. Much more than I anticipated I would. You have a very sound head upon your shoulders. And it pleases me.” His expression was serious for a moment.
    “Thank you, Father.”
    He nodded and took a deep breath. “I fear you girls are growing up without me. I am not sure how to take it. You are seeking advice and help from young men and dancing until all hours of the night …” He grinned when she rolled her eyes again. “No, but honestly, my daughters are stunningly beautiful women and I had no idea they had grown. When did you mature? The last I knew, you were all itty-bitty rascals needing a nurse to keep you in line. Now—”
    Her hands tightened around the fabric. She could not believe what she was hearing. “Yes?”
    “Now you need a father to beat the rogues away with a stick and ensure you are protected and safe.”
    She gasped. “You did not beat Aleck, did you?”
    “Heavens, no! Though if I find he touches any of you, I will not hesitate to