Read Alice-Miranda at the Palace 11 for Free Online Page A

This time the words were fiercer, the threat more forceful. They had to be – there was a lot at stake.
    A child so sweet and young and fair,
    her spirit free, without a care.
    Hugh and Cecelia must not know,
    nor anyone else, or my wrath will grow.
    I imagine you’d like to know what I seek.
    Hold tight, old dear, you’ll know next week!
    A smug smile settled on his lips as he surveyed his work. He hadn’t written poetry in years but it had always been something he’d excelled at. He threw the newspaper in the hearth, then struck a match and watched the pages burn.
    He walked back to the desk and folded the letter carefully before placing it in an envelope. But hedidn’t seal it yet. He flicked open the locks on his briefcase and pulled three photographs from the rear compartment. He added them to the envelope and sealed it with his first mistake.

‘This is a much more adventurous approach to the garden,’ Braxton Balfour said as he led the children through a tightly woven tunnel of trees. ‘I just discovered it recently myself.’
    â€˜Have you been here long, Mr Balfour?’ Alice-Miranda asked the man.
    â€˜A couple of months. I was previously a footman at Brackenhurst before I was promoted to the role of under butler here at Evesbury.’
    â€˜Congratulations!’ Alice-Miranda smiled at him. ‘Do you think you might be in charge one day?’
    â€˜Well, you never know. I suppose that’s what I’m hoping for.’ The man looked a little sheepish. ‘Better not tell Mr Langley, though. I don’t think he’s ready to retire just yet.’
    Alice-Miranda nodded. ‘Don’t worry, Mr Balfour, I won’t say a word.’
    The man grinned.
    â€˜Wow!’ Jacinta exclaimed as the group emerged onto a viewing platform that overlooked an enormous sunken garden.
    Large expanses of lawn were framed and crisscrossed by hedge-lined paths dotted with exquisite marble statues. In the centre of it all, a giant fountain guarded by four marble lions spouted water high into the blue sky. At the opposite end, a Palladian summer house was swarming with guests and waiters in black tail coats, carrying trays of drinks and delicious treats.
    Braxton Balfour caught sight of Mr Langley glaring at him from down below. ‘I should leave you now. Have a lovely afternoon, children.’
    â€˜Thank you for bringing us, Mr Balfour,’ Alice-Miranda said.
    â€˜It was my pleasure.’ The man gave a bow before he turned and walked back up the path.
    The children stared out into the crowd. Alice-Miranda spotted her parents talking to Ambrosia Headlington-Bear, and waved.
    â€˜It’s all so beautiful,’ Sloane sighed happily.
    Jacinta pointed to a woman’s hat. ‘Is that an umbrella on her head?’
    â€˜Jacinta!’ Alice-Miranda chided, giggling.
    â€˜You have to admit it will come in very handy if it starts to rain,’ Jacinta teased. ‘I think we could all fit under there.’
    Millie raised her camera and clicked away at the men dressed in top hats and tails, and the women in a kaleidoscope of pretty dresses, hats and gloves. The child paused and glanced down at her own mint-green ensemble, wondering if it was up to scratch.
    â€˜I love your dress, Millie,’ Alice-Miranda commented, noticing her friend’s hesitation. ‘It’s perfect.’
    â€˜Do you really think so?’ Millie asked.
    Alice-Miranda nodded. ‘Of course.’
    Her own dress was the palest of pinks with a delicate floral pattern. Jacinta was in powder-blue,and Sloane had decided on a yellow outfit. Together, they looked like a rainbow of pastels.
    â€˜I don’t know about everyone else but I’m starving,’ Sep said as he spied a plate of food circulating just below them. He led the way towards one of the two sets of stairs that fanned out from either side of the platform.
    Sep and Lucas made a beeline for