Chapter 5

Five days into the portrait, the Queen summoned me. “I’m having a small dinner in three days, welcoming some minor officials from other countries to celebrate a successful trade negotiation. I normally don’t involve myself in these things; at my age they’re a bit tiring, but I feel the need to make an appearance once in a while. Mostly it’s just to assure the people I’m still alive and well. I would really like you to come. There are some people there I think you should meet. Think of it as a business opportunity. And as a kindness to an old woman.”

How could I refuse. I bowed, “As you wish, O Queen.”

She tried her best not to smile, muttering about cheeky Yanks as I left. I put it out of my mind and continued working.

Colin had called me at least three times a day, every day. I finally explained to him that I wasn’t on vacation, that I was actually working, and he needed to give me time. “I’ll call you when I’m done. I promise.” He still called. Mom and Maddy had gone to Ireland to spend a few days with them, and I got a call when they got back. “We’re staying in London a few days, to do some touristy stuff. I know you have that big dinner to attend at the command of the Queen, but we’d like it if you spent a few hours with the peasants before you go mix with the royalty of three continents. Maybe you’ll bring us scraps from the table.”

“Hilarious, Maddy. I’ll see if they’re any openings for a new court jester. I’m still not sure why I’m going.”

“You are going, good sir, at the command of the Queen. God save England. From you. Try to behave, all right? We do not need an international incident caused by an unbalanced American painter. If asked, I’ll just tell them your studio is unvented, and the paint fumes have finally affected your brain. Try to drool a little if you do something stupid. It might help.”

“Why are we talking, exactly?”

“Because you love us, big brother, and want only the best for your family. Hey, I haven’t told Mom yet, but I’m thinking about staying. Ever heard of Trinity College?”

“Isn’t that the one where the guitarist from Queen teaches?”

“How would you know that?”

“I read a lot. He’s holds a PhD. in astrophysics.”

“Well, I probably won’t have any of his classes. English major, remember? They’ve got a killer Master’s program. It would really boost my stock when I finally do get a job.”

I kept forgetting Maddy was eight years younger, still in her early twenties. She was right, this could be good for her. “How much is that going to cost?”

“I don’t have all the numbers. We’ll go into it when I see you. If you come early enough, I’ll try to describe a foreign concept to you, the proper way to act like a gentleman.”

“Cut it out, Maddy. I’ll be there early, but then I have to get the tux. I’m really not looking forward to this.”

“It’ll be fun. I promise. We even have a little surprise for you. Now, we’ll meet you on High Street for tea, four sharpish. Do not be late.”

I was not allowed to find my own way. One of the Queen’s minions drove me, in a vintage Bentley. He delivered me to the tea-room, and reminded me he would pick me up in exactly one hour for my final tux fitting, then on to the dinner. Mom and Maddy hugged me, as did Justine. I was a little stiff with her, but she apologized for her attitude. “I have the same flaw as every other woman. I always expect the man to do something stupid. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt, or at the least asked you for the truth. A mistake Colin and I will take pains to see I never repeat.”

We made peace, and spent the next half hour enjoying the tea and scones. Colin showed up, shocked to see me. Then I heard the scream.

“DA!”

I jumped up so fast I knocked my chair over, before a redheaded blur launched into my arms. The impact was enough to knock me back a step. “Da, Da,” was all she could say between snuffles. I thought I was healing, but my heart broke all over again.

“Hush, my little Princess. I’m here. You have no idea how I’ve missed you. I love you, baby.”

She was crying so hard she couldn’t see, and in times of extreme duress, it seems the truth comes out. I desperately wanted her and her mother in my life. After about ten minutes she was down to snuffling, and still had a death grip around my neck. I finally got her to sit up. There was a younger lady at the table beside us, and her eyes were shining. “How long were you away from your little girl?”

“Much too long.”

Katie finally got her voice back, asking a question that broke my heart. “Are you here to fetch us home? I miss my swing, I miss my easel, I MISS YOU!”

“I don’t think your Mum likes me anymore, baby.”

“That’s not true! She cries almost every night, when she thinks I’m asleep. She looks bad, Da. I think she misses you, too. Will you come see us?”

That’s all it took to make my decision. I would go see her, tell her what she did to us. I’d be kind, but I would accept no blame. She’d managed to screw this up all by herself.

“I promise. How come you’re here?”

“Aunt Justine and Uncle Colin brought me. Did you know I was coming?”

“No, baby. It’s the best surprise I’ve ever had.”

I was giving some pointed looks to Justine, who just blushed and lowered her head. With impeccable timing, my minder appeared. “Sorry sir, but we have to go.”

I was a little pissed and he could tell. After a brief phone conversation, he smiled. “You may bring your daughter if you like.”

That gave me an idea. “I believe I will. The Queen was after me to get a dinner companion, to balance the table, as she put it. Even offered to help. I think I’ve found my date. Do you think we could get her a suitable dress on short notice?”

He rose to his full height of five foot four inches, a haughty look on his face. “Sir, you greatly underestimate the skills of my trade, and the English in general. She’ll be suitably frocked before your fitting is done.”

“Excellent, sir, just excellent. I stand impressed with your skills.”

He smirked a little when I praised him. I suddenly had a terrible thought. What if she couldn’t go? I turned to Katie, who was listening to the exchange with wonder on her face. “Katie, would you like to have dinner with me tonight? It’s a thing I have to attend, and I can think of no one more beautiful and charming to accompany me.”

“Yes! Will I be like Cinderella?”

“Not at all. You’re far more beautiful than Cinderella on her best day. I’m sure you’ll dazzle everyone.”

She was grinning, back to the happy little girl I remembered. “I have to ask Aunt Justine, I’m with her and Uncle Colin.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will be just fine. Right Justine?”

Hearing the tone of my voice, she rushed to say that would be no problem, and I could bring her back in the morning. They’d give her case to my driver. The family followed us out and watched in awe as we got into the Bentley. They were still standing there when we went around the corner.

Our destination was a high-end men’s shop. I had already been there once, and this was just for the final fitting, to see if they’d missed anything. They were well aware I would be wearing the tux in front of the Queen, so no effort was spared. The suit fit me like a glove.

I had purchased it and two business suits for an obscene amount of money, but I was swayed when they showed me one elderly gentleman in the shop waiting for another suit. The one he was wearing was immaculate. “We made that suit,” said the manager, “in 1969, when he was eighteen. We’ve had to alter it twice as he lost weight as he aged, but the fabric is just as durable as it was when we first sewed it.”

Jeeves (he insisted I call him that. I had a feeling it wasn’t his real name. The Brits have a sneaky sense of humor) took Katie over to the lady’s salon, the sister store to the one I was in. I got him to the side and handed him a credit card. “Spare no expense. I want her to have the best of the best. I want her to have a Cinderella experience tonight.”

He handed the card back. “It will be taken care of, sir. You will not be disappointed.”

I grinned at him. “No, Jeeves, I expect I won’t. Thank you.”

“My pleasure sir. I’ll have her back before the fitting is over.”

For the first time in our acquaintance, he lied to me. I had to wait fifteen minutes. The wait was worth it. She had on a light blue, little girl version of a ball gown, slightly puffy sleeves and a lace collar. Her curls were piled atop her head, with what suspiciously like a tiara holding it in place. Black satin slippers and a small gold necklace finished out the look. Katie was absolutely glowing, twirling for me. She had a little lace shawl for the cool weather.

I looked at her and thought my heart would burst. I borrowed a pen and pad from the tailor and scribbled a note. “I would not sully our relationship by offering you money, Jeeves, but allow me to give you this.”

He read the note and smiled. “To Jeeves: One favor, to be rendered immediately at the time of his choosing. Anything asked. Anything at all. Damon P. Dawes.” He folded the note carefully, putting it in a vest pocket.

To cover his emotion, he pulled out an old-fashioned pocket watch. “Time, I’m afraid. Are you ready?”

“Lead on, McDuff.”

He couldn’t help grinning as he led us to the car. The dinner was held at a small hall in one of the government buildings. I was surprised to see press present, but when it was announced the Queen would be there, they were out in force. They snapped pictures of Katie and I as Jeeves held us back. A long black limo pulled up, and the press went crazy. Jeeves whispered in my ear. “You are to escort her into the hall. Go slowly, but do not allow anyone to get in your way.”

I looked at the scores of security personnel, sure there were more in plain clothes scattered about, and didn’t think it would be a problem. Katies’ eyes got huge when the Queen emerged from the car. The Queen looked at me expectantly as I offered my arm. “Who is this?”

Katie curtsied. “I am Katelyn O’Mallory, Your Highness. Damon is my Da. I am honored to meet you.”

Her sharp eyes caught mine, a question in them. I’d have some explaining to do in the near future. “Well then. I’m pleased to meet you Miss O’Mallory. Now, I need you to take my hand, to help me walk.”

I’d never noticed her having any trouble walking, even if she did it slowly, but we escorted the Queen of England the short distance into the hall, surrounded by an enormous entourage. I bet there were thousands of pictures taken on that walk, and knew they would go crazy trying to place us.