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

the waiter.
    â€˜You have to try these,’ Lucas said to the girls while munching on a miniature pie. ‘They’re amazing.’
    The children all reached in and the waiter handed each of them a tiny white napkin that bore the initials ‘GR’ in gold.
    â€˜Mmm.’ Millie smacked her lips together. ‘These are delicious.’
    The group wandered further into the garden with Lucas charging ahead, eager to explore every inch of it.
    â€˜Hey, look at this,’ he called out. In the middle of one of the outer walls, Lucas had found an opening to what looked like a cave. He could hear the sound of running water coming from within.
    The children ran to catch up. Just as they were heading for the entrance, a statuesque woman in a white lace dress stepped out from a side path to blocktheir way. She wore a wide-brimmed hat trimmed with the same delicate fabric and was on the arm of a tall, handsome man.
    â€˜You’re not going in there, are you?’ she barked.
    Alice-Miranda and her friends looked at the woman, startled.
    â€˜It’s just that it might not be safe,’ the woman said, her voice softening.
    â€˜Marjorie, leave the poor children alone,’ the man said, frowning at her. ‘I’m sure there’s nothing to be afraid of.’
    Alice-Miranda smiled at the couple and held out her hand towards the man. ‘Hello, I’m Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones.’
    â€˜Oh, you’re Hugh and Cee’s little girl.’ The man reached out and took her tiny hand into his. ‘I’m Lloyd Lancaster-Brown and this is my worrywart fiancée, Marjorie Plunkett.’
    â€˜It’s lovely to meet you both.’ Alice-Miranda was thrilled to meet a member of the Lancaster-Brown family, and introduced her friends to the couple.
    â€˜Charmed,’ Marjorie said stiffly. She turned to Lucas. ‘You’re Lawrence Ridley’s son, aren’t you?’
    The boy nodded, wondering how she knew that since he and his father didn’t share the samesurname. ‘How do you know Her Majesty?’ he asked.
    â€˜Oh, I’m just a distant relative,’ Lloyd replied.
    â€˜Hardly distant, darling,’ Marjorie leapt in. ‘Lloyd’s a cousin of Queen Georgiana’s. His grandfather and Her Majesty’s father were brothers.’
    Alice-Miranda’s eyes grew wide. ‘Was King George your grandfather?’
    â€˜Yes,’ the man said with surprise, ‘but how on earth would you know that?’
    â€˜I was reading something in the library recently about King George and how he abdicated to marry your grandmother Evelyn,’ the child explained.
    â€˜Why did he do that?’ Millie asked.
    â€˜Marry my grandmother?’ Lloyd said with a cheeky grin. ‘Oh, the old girl wasn’t that bad. Then again, come to think of it …’
    Millie laughed, shaking her head. ‘No, why did he have to abdicate to marry her?’
    Sloane frowned. ‘I’m confused. What’s abdicate mean?’
    â€˜It’s when a king or queen stands aside and gives up their claim to the throne,’ Alice-Miranda explained.
    Lloyd nodded. ‘Yes, that’s exactly right. Mygrandfather abdicated because my grandmother had been married before, and back then divorce was frowned upon,’ he said. ‘Grandmama Evelyn was the love of his life, although I always found her a little bit on the scary side.’
    â€˜So if your grandfather hadn’t abdicated, would you be King now?’ Jacinta asked, trying to work out the royal line in her head.
    Marjorie nodded. ‘Lloyd’s father was the eldest son and he passed away some time ago, so you’re right – Lloyd would have been King.’
    â€˜Cool,’ Lucas said.
    Lloyd grimaced. ‘All those visits to factories and hospitals are not my thing at all. I’d much rather leave it to Cousin Gee.’
    â€˜At least you know