Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié Read Free Book Online Page B

her feet, curtsied nicely, and said, “Good morning, James.”
    Mary and Finneas both gasped at her familiarity. She had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. She sank back down into her chair, her legs feeling weak.
    James was grinning from ear to ear. “Good morning, Pearl. I trust you slept well.”
    The familiarity of the question made her blush. He had asked her such things before, but never in the presence of others.
    She drew a shaky breath. “Horribly, and you?”
    “About the same, I’m afraid.”
    Mary and Finneas stared back and forth between the two, horror and disbelief mingling on their faces.
    “Good sir, I believe I will take you up on that offer of a seat,” James said.
    Finneas hastened to bring a chair to the table for him, and he took it with grace.
    “Would you like breakfast, my lord?” Mary asked.
    “Only if everyone else is still eating.”
    It was settled. Mary and Finneas slowly reclaimed their seats after setting a plate of food before him. They picked up their own forks, but didn’t eat, just continued to stare.
    Pearl had no idea what James was up to, but she was sure that if she let herself laugh she would never stop. The secret of their friendship would now be known to her parents, and although the thought made her a little sad, it mostly brought her relief.
    James attacked his food with gusto, and Pearl wondered if he had skipped breakfast or was just being polite. “This is wonderful. You are an excellent cook.”
    “Thank you, my lord,” Mary stammered.
    After he had consumed half his food, James put his fork down. “I suppose you are wondering why I am here.”
    “The thought had crossed our minds,” Finneas answered.
    “I have some things I need to discuss with Pearl this morning.”
    “With … Pearl?” Mary asked wonderingly.
    James nodded. “You see, for years she has been my friend and loyal adviser. I can tell from your shocked faces that she has never told you of this. Please do not blame her, for she was only doing as I asked. I swore her to secrecy years ago and I am greatly impressed that she has kept her word.”
    Pearl glanced at her father’s astounded look and nodded. James’s smile only grew broader.
    Realization dawned in Mary’s eyes. “When you are walking on the beach?”
    “Just on Tuesdays,” Pearl quickly told her. “At least, normally.”
    “Why Pearl?” Finneas questioned.
    “The best reason in the world. She is a good listener. Also, she doesn’t have any notions about what a prince should and shouldn’t do—at least not until recently. She always shows me a fresh perspective. At any rate, I came by this morning because I need her advice and it cannot wait until next week. I decided that it was time to meet you as well, since there is no longer truly a need to keep our meetings a secret.”
    He laughed. “It’s funny. I feel like I already know you both. I’ve seen you both before, and Pearl has told me so much about you and has been such a large part of my life for so many years that I feel as though I know you.”
    “I wish we could say the same,” Mary said with a weak smile.
    For a moment there was silence at the table. Pearl clasped her hands in her lap, trying to hide their shaking. “When he was little he used to sneak out of the castle and he didn’t want anyone knowing where he was going,” she explained.
    “Three hours of freedom once a week isn’t too much to ask for a child, is it?” James questioned.
    “No,” Finneas hastened to reassure him. “It must be horrible for a child not to have any time to himself to play, to constantly be watched over, and to be cooped up.”
    James smiled. “I should have had you speak with my father years ago.”
    It was Finneas’s turn to flush red and drop his eyes.
    “So, would it be all right if I borrow Pearl for the day? I promise I’ll have her back by late afternoon.”
    Mary and Finneas exchanged glances. Finally Finneas spoke. “We would be honored to have our