The Frog Prince by Jenni James Read Free Book Online Page A

to occupy herself with, except needlepoint and the like, until now.
    The maid held out Blythe’s short boots and she stepped into them, and then waited while they were laced up. Blythe’s light-brown hair was done in a series of crisscrossed braids that formed an elegant bun. The style had taken a good quarter of an hour longer than usual that morning, but had been worth it. She felt so pretty in the green dress and with her fine hair.
    “Thank you,” she said as she left the maid and then walked down the corridor. She could hear giggling and a pianoforte playing in the music room and so assumed Caspian was with her sisters again. She promptly made her way there.
    Smiling, she peeked into the doorway of the large room and watched Andalyn and Karielle picking out a duet on the instrument, with Caspian nodding his head in rhythm as he sat on top.
    Their music teacher had not been overly fond of the disruptive frog at first, but had come to accept his interference as a part of the daily routine when it was obvious how much the girls loved him.
    Actually, Caspian seemed to fit in remarkably well with all of the family. Her mother even enjoyed his political discussions after suppers in the drawing room. He knew so many facts about the surrounding kingdoms and enjoyed sharing his views and educating them on others they had been misinformed about.
    All of that good coming from one small frog—how did he do it? How was he able to so easily capture the hearts of those around him? With his presence, he had managed to make her feel as though she belonged. As if she were truly a part of this family.
    He was magic.
    The girls started to sing and Caspian joined in. It was a happy little ditty, but not entirely made for his voice.
    Blythe giggled.
    “You sound like a toad!” exclaimed ten-year-old Karielle in a fit of giggles herself.
    Andalyn, never wanting to be outdone, said, “But he is one. He is supposed to sound like that.”
    “Thank you,” Caspian said with a short bow. “Though I am not sure I would have preferred either comment, thank you nonetheless.” He glanced up then and caught Blythe looking at him. “Hello there! So you have finally woken up and decided to join the rest of us, sleepyhead.”
    “I was not sleeping. I was waiting on my hair to be styled,” she said as she came into the room.
    “I see that. It looks very fetching.”
    She bent down at the pianoforte and he easily hopped onto her shoulder.
    “Where to, fair lady?” he asked as she straightened back up and began to walk out of the room. They both ignored the protests of her sisters.
    “I thought we would have a real adventure today.” She grinned.
    “Oh, dear. And the past couple of weeks have not been?”
    “No. Not like this.” She looked around the empty hallway. “Do you notice my hair? It is done for an exact purpose. It is time you found out my secret. We are going to the village.”
    “Great mercy. The princess cannot simply scamper about the town of her own free will. Your mother would have palpitations if she knew of such madness. Do you realize the danger you put yourself in?”
    “I know.” Blythe smirked. “Which is why we shall go in disguise!”

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    “WHAT ARE WE DOING here?” Nolan asked as they ducked into the third village shop within ten minutes. “Who are you looking for?” She had pulled a rather plain brown dress over her green one. It had lashings up each side which she had tied into neat bows and added flowers to her hair. Indeed, when she was done, Princess Blythe looked exactly like any village maiden. Once they got to town, she placed him in her pocket, and he immediately peeked out of it.
    “It has been a couple of weeks, so I am not sure where they plan to meet me,” Blythe answered. “I am making a quick sweep of all five of the stores that are our normal meeting spots.”
    “Such intrigue. What in the world is this secret of yours?” he whispered as she swerved to avoid a rather