Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [134]
On her first foray into the public rooms, Ellie spotted Wizard Fenworth’s pointed hat. She meandered in that direction, hoping to deliver the message given to her by Wizard Pater. She also hoped to find out if Bealomondore had spoken to him about the bottle city and where her tumanhofer friend might be.
Guests wanting a sample from her tray delayed her progress. She became impatient and had to laugh at herself. After all, the only reason she could mingle with this crowd was because of her duty to hand out the fancy slivers of food. She had to go replenish her refreshments twice before she finally found herself next to Wizard Fenworth, Lady Peg, and Librettowit.
“I know you,” said Lady Peg. “I’m Lady Peg, but perhaps I don’t need to say that if I know you. And I do know you. I’m Princess Tipper’s mother. Do you know me?”
“I know who you are, Lady Peg, but I don’t think we’ve ever met.”
Tipper’s mother turned to Wizard Fenworth. “Do you know this young lady, Fenworth?”
The wizard looked at Ellie with squinted eyes. He patted his robes, dislodging a lizard that crawled back into the folds of the elegant material. The wizard located the pocket he wanted and pulled out a pair of glasses. He perched them on his nose and studied Ellie.
He nodded. “I know her.”
“Who is she?” asked Lady Peg.
“Perhaps we should ask her.”
“But if we know her, we shouldn’t have to, should we?”
“Definitely not.” The wizard took off his glasses, a bug sitting on one lens, and addressed his librarian. “Librettowit, what is the etiquette in this society when you meet someone you know at a formal gala event but the person in question comes to you without a proper name?”
Librettowit shook his head. “We do know her name.”
Fenworth turned to Lady Peg. “Not to worry, dear lady. We do know her name.”
“We do?”
“Librettowit says we do.”
Ellie felt like she was the birdie in a game of birdnet. The conversation bounced around among the three friends and left her standing there, holding the appetizers. Would jumping into this conversation between royalty and distinguished guests from another country be rude?
“Well,” said Lady Peg, “I’m certain I know her face. I don’t know this dress except that it is being worn by all these lovely, helpful young women. But the face was on another dress. I’m certain of it. Not actually on the dress but above it. Not exactly above the dress as in floating. That would be unsettling. But attached to a body that was in the dress.”
Ellie started to giggle. Bealomondore had tried to explain Lady Peg’s penchant for wandering thoughts. Now Ellie understood.
Her laughter caught their interest, and the three focused on her.
She smiled at them all. “I have a message from Wizard Pater for Wizard Fenworth.”
Wizard Fenworth clapped his hands together. Butterflies escaped from his wide sleeves. “Bealomondore’s mysterious lady in the portrait. Ellicinderpart Clarenbessipawl. His bride-to-be!”
Lady Peg’s face glowed at the announcement. “You’re right, Fenworth. But Bealomondore gave you the message, did he not?”
She stepped forward, and Ellie just managed to keep from spilling her tray as she was embraced by the royal mother of Princess Tipper.
“Ellie!” The voice behind her sent shivers up her arms and through her heart. Lady Peg released her and turned her around.
Bealomondore grabbed the tray and thrust it into Lady Peg’s hands. He gathered Ellie into his arms and kissed her. Her first thought was relief and pleasure. He still loved her. Her second thought was that she was a serving girl being embraced by one of the elite. This should be done in private or perhaps, some would say, not at all. Her third thought was she didn’t care.
He released her enough to look into her eyes. “I’ve been here for two months. Two long months, waiting for you. Fenworth explained that you came out of the bottle at your own time. We couldn’t go back to dissolve the bottle because we needed your soaked clothing as well to have enough of the memories.” He pulled her close again,