A Pearl Among Princes by Coleen Paratore Read Free Book Online Page B

good cheer. They are delighted to hear Father is doing better. Talk quickly turns to the PITs.
    â€œI claim Sir Richard the dashing blue-eyed soldier,” Lu announces, reaching for a cookie. “I can’t stop thinking of him.”
    A sharp pang of guilt stabs me and I look away so that my face won’t betray me. Sir Richard touching my hand in the dining hall, flirting with me in the den just hours ago. “May I call on you?” he asked, and I said yes. In the heady swoon of flattery, I forgot Lu’s affection for him. Clearly, from her first sight of Sir Richard on the beach she declared that she was smitten.
    Lu’s face glows brightly as she babbles on about what she’s discovered about Sir Richard. The battles he’s fought, the honors he’s won . . .
    In this moment I resolve to rebuke any further advances from Sir Richard, however handsome and smart he may be. Besides, Gracepearl, remember, it is not romance you seek, but a ship for transport.
    There is still Sir Peter, the pirate prince. He is funny and charming and wildly handsome with that long hair in a leather tie, the silver loop glinting at his ear . . .
    â€œHow about you, Gracepearl,” Nuff says. “What have you learned of the PITs?”
    â€œWait till you hear about Humpty,” I say, telling them how he leered and spoke to me so rudely in the gardens and then destroyed the basket of tomatoes.
    â€œOh, that won’t do,” Lu says angrily. “That’s no way to treat a lady and no one talks to our Gracie like that. My mum would wash his mouth out with soap.”
    â€œSoap could be arranged,” Nuff says mischievously. “Or one could tinker with his toothpaste when one cleans his bathing chamber. A little lye would do nicely, I think.”
    â€œHumpty Dumpty blowing bubbles!” I say. “That would be fun to see. He had no cause to treat Leem so badly.” I smile thinking of how Sir Richard and I spared Leem and his fellow food pirate, Brine, the wrath of Nora Baker at the banquet.
    â€œI heard Leem telling Mum how he rescued Sir Humpty’s cap from the water,” Lu says. “Leem made Mum swear she wouldn’t tell Dad for fear he would punish Leem for embarrassing the family and all of Miramore.”
    â€œWhat!” I say, my voice rising. “What does Leem have to be ashamed of? He acted in a brave and gallant fashion. Tell him I said he’s a prince of a boy.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Nuff says. “A real prince.”
    â€œBut how shall we punish Humpty for the tomatoes? ” Lu asks, taking another cookie from the sack, brushing crumbs from her lips.
    I yawn and Nuff does too, the long day catching up with all of us. “Let’s not rush the revenge,” Nuff says. “This calls for a truly egg-cellent plan.”
    Lu and I laugh. Matter settled.
    â€œI saw Mackree today,” I blurt out, unplanned. Where did that come from? The workings of my inner mind never cease to surprise me. Like when I hear Mother talking to me as clearly as if we are sitting across from each other in the kitchen having tea.
    Lu and Nuff exchange glances.
    â€œAnd? ” Lu says.
    â€œMackree heard about Father and came to check on me.”
    â€œThat was thoughtful,” Nuff says quietly.
    â€œBut that was all. He wouldn’t talk to me,” I say, emotion rising in a wave inside. “I don’t know why he rebukes me. How did I make him hate me so?”
    My friends are silent.
    â€œHe doesn’t hate you, Gracie,” Nuff says finally, “you know that.”
    â€œBut I miss him,” I say, tears starting. “I still can’t believe he broke off from me.”
    â€œOh, Gracie, dearie,” Lu says in a gentle tone. “It was you who ended it.”
    â€œNo,” I say.
    â€œYes.” Lu nods. She touches my arm as if to soften the blow of her truthful words. Nuff squeezes my other