Chapter 74 Awaiting a Princess

  Francis was spending what should have been a lovely day at the castle.  He supposed he couldn't expect Princess Jean to be here every time he came.  He continued hitting balls with his cue stick.  It was less practice and more fidgeting.  Perhaps he should go.

  From across the room came the gentle swish of a lady's dress.

Chapter 72 Lady Margaret's Baby

  "Sir Samuel, so good to see you."

Chapter 71 Worthy

Chapter 60 What Ails You?

  Francis had worked hard all week.  He barely spent time with his frat brothers anymore, unless they studied or ate together.  In fact he had felt a little guilty about it.  To make up for it he asked if any of them would like to join him in his trip to Rosewood.  The replies had been scattered.

  "Busy," from Lord Alexander.

  "Again?" from his brother Henry.

  "I am not eager to go back to Rosewood anytime soon," had been Lord Henry's reply.  Then he had walked away muttering "the last thing I need is to visit the castle."

  What was that about?

Chapter 58 Come Out Child!

  Lord Allan and Lady Margaret Morse had been delighted to finally have a child on the way.  But once his wife was showing Lord Allan began to worry that their secret would be revealed.

  "I cannot attend your birth, I am a man."

  "I did not ask you to husband."

  "Surely you can not birth alone?" Lord Allan had a hint of hope in his voice.

  "No Allan, I cannot."

  "Are you quite certain?"

  "I cannot catch the babe."

  "But they will know!  We will surely be killed."

Chapter 57 Princess Jean Finds Out

  Princess Jean met Francis for sweets before he went back to college.  He had come to making frequent trips to Rosewood.  She liked to think he came for her, but it was just as likely to see his parents.

Chapter 56 One Sunday at the Castle

  Early Sunday morning King Leon ventured out and greeted Brother Michael Goodman, who conducts services in the royal chapel.  King Leon does not particularly favor Brother Goodman.  He does not particularly favor any of the monks.  Brother Michael used to care for a cat the queen used to have.  At her request Brother Goodman was granted the honor.  Thinking about it King Leon realized he really didn't care.  Well if it was Brother Gargamel he would.  Leon couldn't stand that Gargamel.

  I swear if that fool Gargamel dares to come to the castle I'll throw him in the dungeon.

  Thus the king was already vexed before his knight appeared before him.

Chapter 52 Unexpected Opportunities

  When Henry and Francis Frell had walked to the fraternity, Henry told Francis it meant good lodging and good food.  Francis had hoped for more.  He hoped it would be an opportunity.  Opportunity for what he did not know.  But as second born, he needed opportunities.  Working in the castle had been one, and look where it took him?  All the way to college.

  The pledging had been easy.  They had needed to do little more than get to know the Lionhearts better, entertain them a little.  Francis had wanted to befriend them ever since that party he and his papa had gone to.

  Francis did do most of the work around the frat house.  He did not mind this.  He would learn what he could here as well as in his studies.  He is a merchant man.  He was learning how best to serve noblemen - and how to get along with them.  Surely there is opportunity in that.  Francis had no idea.

Chapter 44 Second Born

  It is not fair.

  I am the only member of the royal family not sitting in the front row.

Chapter 24 The Eldest Princess in All the Land

  "But Ann, mother said to practice our music.  She did not say we could skip rope instead."

  "That's Princess Ann.  I will skip rope and you will play the piano.  That will be the music."

  "You have to practice music too Princess Ann."

  "Is that any way to talk to the eldest princess in all the land?"