The Royal Assassin by Kate Parker Read Free Book Online

kitchen garden, Princess Kira arrived at the coach house. She entered without knocking and walked along the far side of the Hereford coach. I could hear the grooms working in the stables but no one cried out an alarm.
    The princess didn’t speak English, but she’d learned the secretsof the house in a day. “How did you know how to get off the Hereford property and into this back alley?” I asked as I exited the coach house.
    She gave me a smile and walked over to the coach with the Sussex crest waiting in the alleyway. The footman lowered the steps and helped the princess in. I climbed in after her to find not only the Duke of Sussex waiting for us, but the Duke of Blackford.
    Sussex tapped on the ceiling with his cane and we drove off. Just an everyday outing, with two dukes, a princess, and a middle-class shop owner. I was underdressed and under-titled for our excursion.
    I wanted to question Blackford on what he knew about this trip, but the presence of the princess and Sussex stopped me. Blackford met my stare across the carriage with a tiny shake of his head before he glanced away. Apparently, we were not to act like we knew each other.
    â€œToday I wish to go to the National Gallery,” Princess Kira said in French to Sussex. “I will improve my English by learning painting terms.”
    â€œI’d be delighted to escort you, milady,” Sussex said, an infatuated grin on his pudgy face.
    The princess continued, “You and Blackford will follow us. If Miss Peabody doesn’t know the English word, you may step in.”
    â€œI’d be glad to.” He really did sound glad. For two social equals, the princess was leading the royal duke by his cravat.
    â€œThere are a lot of paintings there,” I said. “Where would you like to start?”
    â€œAre there any French paintings of this century?”
    â€œSeveral,” I guessed with feigned confidence. “Am I not right, gentlemen?”
    â€œI hope you’ll be pleased with them,” Sussex said.
    Blackford turned to look out the window, pursing his lips together.
    The princess gave a regal nod. “When we arrive, please escort us there.”
    â€œWith pleasure.” Sussex reminded me of a loyal hound.
    Sussex’s coach was well sprung in comparison to Blackford’s ancient vehicle. I looked out the window and enjoyed the rest of the ride.
    When we arrived, the dukes handed us down and started toward the beautiful classical front of the gallery. Princess Kira stopped, transfixed by the sight. “What a perfect building.”
    She studied it for so long, slowly turning from left to right, that Sussex finally said, “It’s even prettier inside.”
    The princess finished her perusal and nodded to him. “We shall go inside.” She gave Sussex her arm and he escorted her up the steps and through the massive front doors.
    Blackford held out his arm to me. “Miss?” he said in English.
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œAre you her chaperone this afternoon?”
    â€œI suppose I must be, since her chaperone doesn’t know she’s out of Hereford House.”
    Blackford raised his eyebrows. “Whose idea was that?”
    â€œHers.”
    He murmured so quietly I barely heard him say, “What is she up to?”
    Once inside, blinking in the dark after the bright sunshine outdoors, we wandered a bit before we stumbled across recent French paintings. Apparently, that was Princess Kira’s cue to begin her lesson. She said words in French; I gave the English translations. When a painting term was too obscure for me, one of the dukes supplied the English equivalent.
    She obviously loved the paintings. She’d gaze at them and sigh, pointing out the mix of colors and brushstrokes. While she stared at the canvases with admiration, Sussex gazed at her with adoration.
    This continued for a half hour, until the men wandered at a distance out of boredom. The