Alice-Miranda at the Palace 11 by Jacqueline Harvey Read Free Book Online Page A

tapped Lord Luttrell on the shoulder before quickly retreating into the hedge. The fellow turned around, smiling, expecting to see someone he knew. He paused, confused to find no one there, then shrugged and returned to his drink. Just as he took a large gulp, the hand darted out again and tapped him on the opposite shoulder. This time he sputtered and showered champagne all over the woman in front of him.
    â€˜Hubert, what on earth?’ his wife shrieked. She glared at him as she dabbed her sodden apricot-coloured frock with her napkin.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Lisbeth. Someone touched me on the shoulder and startled me. I didn’t mean it.’
    â€˜You must be imagining things.’ His wife craned her neck to see over his shoulder. ‘There’s no one there.’
    â€˜But I felt it,’ he whined.
    A few metres away, Lucas and the rest of the group were about to explore the cave.
    â€˜Are you coming, Alice-Miranda?’ Millie asked, noticing the girl hadn’t moved. She squinted into the distance to see what her friend was looking at.
    When Alice-Miranda saw the hand poke out of the hedge for a third time, she leapt into action, charging down the path and intercepting the offending limb.
    â€˜Hey!’ a voice shouted as Alice-Miranda grasped the hand and yanked it from the bushes.
    The victim spun around. ‘What’s all this?’
    â€˜I’m sorry, sir, but I think you’ve been the brunt of a practical joke.’ Alice-Miranda held up the contraption – a long stick with a stuffed black glove attached to one end. She scanned the bushes for its owner.
    â€˜Good heavens, that’s the last thing I’d expect to happen here,’ Lady Luttrell said, still mopping up the front of her dress. ‘Who on earth is responsible for such mischief?’
    Millie, Jacinta, Sloane, Sep and Lucas ran to see what Alice-Miranda was up to. Just as they reached her, Aunty Gee approached from the other end of the path. She was flanked by Mrs Marmalade on one side, and Archie and Petunia on the other.
    â€˜Good afternoon, Hubert, Lisbeth, children. It’s lovely to see you all. I do hope you’re enjoying yourselves.’
    There was a flurry of curtsies and bows.
    â€˜Hello Aunty Gee.’ Alice-Miranda smiled at her.
    Queen Georgiana leaned down and embraced the girl, kissing the top of her head.
    Alice-Miranda grinned at Her Majesty’s furry companions. ‘Who are you two?’ The child crouched down to pat the beagles.
    â€˜This is Archie and Petunia. They are a little wary of children, but perhaps that’s just my grandchildren.’ The Queen pointed to the stick with the gloved hand. ‘What’s that you’ve got there, dear?’
    â€˜I think someone’s been playing tricks on yourguests,’ Alice-Miranda said, holding the hand upright.
    There was a rustle in the hedge. Archie and Petunia shot off towards the greenery, barking.
    A deep row of lines furrowed across Queen Georgiana’s brow. ‘That had better not be my missing Hermès glove, or two boys I know will be spending the rest of the weekend mucking out the stables. Edgar, Louis, come out of there right this minute!’
    The hedge rustled again and two boys slunk out from behind the bushes. Their black suits were covered in leaves, and twigs were sticking out of their wild hair.
    â€˜Goodness me,’ Queen Georgiana growled as loudly as the dogs. ‘Archie, Petunia, heel,’ she commanded, and the two pooches ran and sat behind their mistress.
    The lads said nothing, but it was obvious they were working hard to suppress smirks.
    â€˜How old are you now?’ Queen Georgiana demanded.
    â€˜Fourteen,’ they answered in perfect unison.
    â€˜Old enough to know better.’ Her Majesty shook her head. ‘I believe you owe Lord and Lady Luttrell an apology.’
    â€˜It was just a joke,’ one of the boys muttered.
    â€˜We