Agent kingdom of maidenh.., p.26
Agent: Kingdom of Maidenhead Book Two, page 26
“How many hours per day does her clerical work keep you busy?” I ask with an expression that I should tell her I will know if she is lying.
“Maybe one?”
“One hour per day?”
“Per week,” she quietly answers.
“I see.”
The next is a yummy young man who says he is Miss Thine’s admin. He doesn’t confidently answer how much work he accomplishes each week.
“Who are you, and what do you do?” I ask the third person.
“I am Melina Thine,” the not overly attractive and not very young woman answers. “I review the seating charts, Your Grace.”
“You review them, but you don’t create them?”
“That is correct.”
“How many charts do you see every week?”
“Uhm.”
“How about we change that to how many charts do you see every month?” I ask.
“Maybe one or two.”
“How long does it take you to review one.”
“About one to three hours, depending on how many people will be attending the event.”
“I see.”
Melina is all but squirming with discomfort by this time.
The next person is a thoroughly nibble-worthy young man who says he is Melina’s aide. He admits he works even less than Melina’s admin does.
The rest of the people on the left side of the room are about the same. The office individuals have increasing numbers of staff who do even less than Melina’s do. All of the office individuals have the last names of Thine or Trask. One of the back wall doors is the baronet’s. The other door in the back wall has a grumpy-looking man who admits his last name is Trask.
“So, is he married to your sister or cousin?” I ask.
“My sister. Uh…I mean…mhmm, yes, my sister,” Lionel Trask admits.
“I see. Is everyone in the office named Trask related to you?”
“Yes, your grace,” he growls out.
Next is the room without the door. I start with one of the harried young women who was sitting at a desk in the main room.
“What is your name, and what do you do?” I ask my standard question.
“My name is Kerry Poulsen. I am the back office’s administrative assistant.”
“How much burden do they place on you?”
“I’m usually not burdened for more than eight or nine hours per day. Sometimes they need me for more the last three or four days before an event.”
“I see.”
Next I speak to the three people who work in the back office. I speak to the first of them.
“Who are you, and what do you do?” I ask another harried-looking young woman.
“I am Greta Mahler, your grace,” she says. “I develop the table plans and create the seating charts. I determine the place setting and help with the menus. I also help my friends wherever they need it.”
The next has a similar answer when he says, “I am Tobias Pleara. I determine the service people that will be needed and hire any extras that may be needed. I also order the food based on Greta’s menus.”
The last of the three from the back room is Harlan Luck.
“I arrange for the entertainment and the invitations,” he answers. “I create all the announcements as well. All three of us share responsibilities as needed.”
I then take a look in the back office and see that every surface is covered with papers and charts. When I talk to the people who work there, I realize what I already knew. They are the only ones doing all the work in the office.
The second main room person that aids the back room is mostly their gofer and researcher. He is named Timson Yegl.
The rest of the people on that side of the room are the same as the other side. I finish speaking to them and leave the room.
“Sarah, I should probably stay in the palace tonight,” I ask. “Do you think you could ask the palace steward to arrange for some quarters for my staff and me for the night?”
“There is no need, miss,” Sarah says. “The chamberlain ordered that quarters be permanently set aside for your use.”
“Thank you, Sarah. Please take us there and send for some dinner to be brought.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I spend the rest of the afternoon and evening writing up my observations and recommendations for Anne.
When Therese and I arrive home at her mansion, Bethany’s carriage driver unloads two large bags from the back of the carriage and provides them to Therese’s staff. I have no idea what is in there. My love seems quite surprised that evening as well when we finally open the bags. All the clothes we wore from Bethany’s closets and wardrobes are in them.
Therese blushes and then smiles when she realizes they added more of the nighties, including two that will barely cover her butt, and that is only if she is standing upright. I’ll have to make sure I drop something and ask her to pick it up for me if she ever has the guts to wear one of those super short nighties. It is likely going to take me some effort to get her into the sheer set. I suspect it will be well worth the effort for both of us, resulting in many repeat performances.
The sad thing is that our bed almost seems uncomfortable now. We do make good use of it. At least, we do until roughly five in the morning when the majordomo wakes me up.
“Sir, there is a palace messenger here,” Helen says. “She is insistent that she speak with you immediately.”
“Thank you, Helen,” I reply. “Please tell her I will be there shortly.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll have the messenger wait in the parlor.”
I get dressed and head for the parlor and find a royal messenger.
“Sir, Her Majesty requires you to attend her at the palace,” The messenger says.
“Very well,” I reply. “Let’s go.”
There is a carriage in the drive which takes us to the palace.
“She is in her private quarters, sir,” the messenger says. “I can escort you there.”
“I know the way unless you were directed to guide me there,” I say.
“Uh, no sir, I wasn’t.”
“I’ll make my way from here then.”
“Okay, sir.”
I head for Anne’s rooms and knock on the door. She lets me in with a sour look on her face. She guides me into her bed chamber, and I see the crown jewels neatly arrayed across her bureau, along with a sheathed saber.
“I don’t even know what questions to ask,” Anne states.
“You challenged Bit,” I reply. “He responded. Bit is far and away the best theif in the city. When he, or any of his other personalities, say something about thievery, it is best to listen.”
“But how did he do it?”
“Ask him. He will probably tell you, along with the other eight or ten ways he could have done it.”
“Really?”
“The first day he was in my office with the full crew, he had us stand in a group. Then he walked through our group and stole two or three things from each of us. None of us could detect him doing it. When asked, he showed us in slow motion just what he did. If you ask him, he will most likely show you all the vulnerabilities in the palace.”
“That would make the captain happy to know. He won’t like the source, though.”
“No, I expect not. Is that the captain’s saber?” I ask.
“Yes, it is.”
“I’m surprised he hasn’t already come raging in here yet.”
“He seems to have learned his lesson. He has begun to actually control himself.”
“Betsy was right then. His not having a sponsor makes him yours.”
“I guess so. Now, what do I do with him?”
“Treat him well, and he will serve you well.”
“Hmm.”
Anne picks up a bell and rings it. One of her pages enters the room.
“Yes, ma’am?” the page asks.
“Please find Captain Hislon and ask him to come here with a heavy guard detail.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The page leaves. The Queen and I talk about inconsequentials for a short while until there is a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Anne calls out.
Captain Hislon enters Anne’s bedchamber and comes to a sudden stop. I notice he has a sheathed sword in his hand. His eyes are huge as he looks at the bureau.
“We seem to have had an issue last night, captain,” Anne nonchalantly says.
“Yes, ma’am,” the captain says. “I heard you thought the crown jewels would be difficult to steal.”
“Yes, I did. It seems I was quite wrong. Luckily, the suspected thief is a patriot and was just trying to make a point.”
“Yes, ma’am. Is there a particular reason the thief stole my saber as well?”
Anne has to put her hand over her mouth to stop a giggle from coming out.
“The person who talked about the thief being able to steal the crown jewels said it would be harder to steal your saber,” Anne says.
“So, I’m a total victim here?” Hislon asks.
“I’m afraid so, captain.”
“Maybe not, captain,” I say. “Have you unsheathed the sword that was left for you?”
“No, sir,” Hislon says
“Try it. Give it a few swings while you are at it.”
The guard captain scowls but does it anyway. A few swings with the short sword turn into a lot of swings.
“It seems to suit you, captain,” Anne says.
“Yes, ma’am,” Captain Hislon admits. “It is quite easy to maneuver.
“Perhaps you should take Countess Imperial Betsy’s advice and take some training with it.”
“But, ma’am, it’s a short sword.”
“If you bothered to look, captain,” I say. “Most of your guards on inside duty wear a shortsword, not a longsword. As you say, it is easier to maneuver, more so in small spaces like hallways, than a longsword. That is very similar to the shortsword I wore when I was the guard captain. You’ve got the wrist for it. You could become quite competent with it despite no longer being a young man. That sword seems to be very well made, and is likely quite valuable.”
“Yes, sir. Maybe I should practice with it,” the captain says after looking more closely at the blade Bit left for him.
“Aldon, I would like you to take your saber and hang it on your wall to remember the service you provided this kingdom as a cavalry officer,” Anne softly says. “Then it will be easy for you to get a hold of when a full dress uniform is called for.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the captain resignedly says.
About this time, a guard contingent arrives and they start collecting the crown jewels to take back to the vault. Anne rings her bell again. Her duty page enters a moment later.
“Yes, ma’am?” the page inquires.
“Please send a messenger to Countess Imperial Betsy James’ home,” the Queen orders. “I want her to attend me as soon as possible, no matter who she is today.”
“Yes, ma’am. I believe her friend, Duchess Imperial Elizabeth Sun, stayed in the palace last night after speaking to the master of ceremonies.”
“She will do very nicely instead. Please track down the Duchess Imperial and bring her to me.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the page acknowledges her orders and scurries off.
A page arrives in my quarters quite early in the morning. I had expected him to show up earlier. Anne must not have known I stayed in the palace last night. Somehow, I believe I’m going to pay for that.
“Your grace, the Queen, requires your presence in her chambers,” the page states.
“Very well,” I say. “Lead the way.”
I pick up my report on the way out the door. The page leads me to the royal bedchamber. I wonder how familiar I’m going to become with the inside of these chambers. Very, I hope. The page knocks, opens the door, and bows me in.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” I quickly say as soon as I see her.
“Good morning?” Anne exclaims. “Really Elizabeth? You spend a night in my palace and don’t bother to tell me?”
I walk toward her as she speaks.
“When I found out I had quarters set aside for me, I believed I was expected to use them.”
“You are, but I should know when you are in them.”
By now, I’m standing just in front of her. I reach up and run one of my hands into the hair on the side of her head, gently brushing her hair behind her ear. I leave the palm of my hand lying against the side of her face.
“Just what would you have done if you had known I was here?” I ask with a slightly lecherous smile.
She matches my smile, “You know exactly what I would have done to you.”
“Probably the same things I would do to you, given the chance,” I purr out.
I accentuate my comment by pressing my lips against hers. Her arms go around me, and Anne presses her body firmly against mine. Our kiss goes on for quite some time. When we finish, I’m somewhat breathless. Again. Eventually, I get my breath back, but not until after I lose it several more times.
“I expect if you had joined me last night, Bit’s little present would have had much less impact,” I say with the smallest of smirks.
“Hmm. I expect your right,” Anne says with a somewhat displeased expression.
“It’s not like he kept anything.”
“I guess not. But I expect him to show my security all of its vulnerabilities.”
“That could take some time. I’ll likely have to stay in the palace longer to make that happen.”
“Mmhm. I think that can be arranged,” Anne purrs.
“If only we were alone right now.”
“Hmm, about that. Captain, Bit or one of his friends will be happy to show you all of the palace’s security issues.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Captain Hislon acknowledges a bit grimly.
“Arem, thank you for responding to my summons so quickly. I believe I have everything under control now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Arem says. “Come, captain, it’s time for us to leave.”
The captain looks hesitant for a moment, then nods his head. The two leave and Anne looks at me with a sultry smile.
“I hope you don’t have anything on your schedule for the foreseeable future,” I say.
Her smile just gets bigger.
Later in the morning, I give Anne the report I wrote for her about her master of ceremonies.
“I think it might be time for Bethany to meet the good baronet and his team of useless relatives,” Anne says.
“If you can summon Anjie for me, I’ll make that happen,” I say.
Anne rings her bell and sends the summoned page after Anjie. I make sure that both of us are well covered up before my ward shows up.
“Yes, ma’am?” Anjie says when she arrives.
“I need to be Bethany soon,” I say. “Please go back to the penthouse and let Danys and Brenda know. They can gather all they need to make that happen and bring it here.”
“Yes, ma’am. Enjoy yourself while I’m gone,” she says with a cheeky smile.
“Don’t worry, we will,” I say with an equally cheeky smile.
Chapter twenty-four
Fixing Things
As soon as Anjie leaves Anne’s bed chamber, the Queen and I turn to look at each other, and we both have the same excited grin. I’ve never been happier to follow Anjie’s advice. Over an hour later, I return to my quarters after getting word that my loves have arrived. Anne decides to come with me and watch my transformation.
They dress and groom me into the imperious woman that Bethany is. As soon as they are done, I ask Sarah to gather more royal guards and meet us at my palace quarters. I wait until the guards are present. The royal guards are briefed, and we head for the office. When we enter, I stride right past the two receptionists who foolishly try to stop me. I simply stare at them as I walk past. They quickly subside.
“Sarah, have all the offices emptied,” I direct.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sarah acknowledges.
It only takes her a few minutes to have everyone out of their offices.
“I am Grand Duchess Imperial Bethany Sun,” I introduce myself. “Based on the report about this office provided to the Empress by my friend Duchess Imperial Elizabeth James, I am here to see the appropriate action be taken. All people named Thine or Trask, step forward.”
They all take one step forward.
“By forward, I meant for you to step forward to me,” I say in a cold, disapproving tone.
They comply with my direction but are starting to look quite nervous at this point.
“In as much as none of you actually accomplish anything, the Empress is going to begin an investigation into each of you for fraud. Since Anne now doesn’t believe any of you can be trusted at this point, you will be taken into custody by these royal guards. You will go with them now.”
The baronet looks like he is going to say something until I arch an eyebrow at him while maintaining an otherwise wintery expression. He has the good sense to not say anything. After they have left the office, I address everyone else.
“Kerry, Greta, Tobias, Harlan, and Timson, you will all be staying here,” I say. “The rest of you are to report to the palace chamberlain’s office to see if he has a place for you. Otherwise, you will need to seek employment elsewhere.
All the pretty boys and girls slowly leave the room. I know they weren’t at fault for the way it was being run, but they could have at least reported it or found different work. Once the room is empty except for the five people who have actually been doing all the work, I address them.
“The five of you will now run this office,” I tell them with a much friendlier expression. “One of you will be the palace’s master of ceremonies. I’ll leave it to you to decide who. When you do, the Empress will receive you to confirm your position. Do any of you have questions for me?”
“Isn’t that position normally held by a noble?” Harlan asks.
“I believe that is true. If the Empress wills it, I’m sure she will confer a title on whomever you decide who should run this office.”
