Page 78 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

She nodded. “Yes. Agnes and Lukas took me in when I, ah, arrived.”

Ingrid’s mother bustled forward, then, pushing aside Agnes. She was tall, with long hair the same color as her daughters, pulled back and tied with a leather thong at the nape of her neck. She wore an apron over her woolen gown as though she had been in the middle of cooking and dropped everything when Ingrid arrived. There were tears in her pale green eyes. Tears of joy and relief and gratitude. She wrapped her arms around Ella, pulling her tight.

“Thank you. Thank you so much,” she breathed in Ella’s ear.

Ella squeezed her back, so happy for her and the rest of the family. When the woman pulled back, she held her at arm’s length, unable to stop smiling.

“You don’t know how worried we were and how grateful we are to have her back unharmed,” the woman said.

“We were happy to do it,” Nicholas said.

“Mama, this is the crown prince. Itoldyou I met the prince! And the queen! And look. The queen gave me this necklace.” She fingered the tiny snowflake, showing her mother.

Her mother chuckled, then cut a glance at Nicholas. “Forgive us, your highness. We didn’t quite believe her when she said the Prince of Rovenheim and his lady brought her home.”

Ella flushed hot as she snuck a glance at Nicholas. He stepped forward, gave a bow to the woman.

“It was my lady’s idea to rescue Ingrid from the fortress.” Nicholas flashed Ella a smile, cheerfully giving her all the credit for their quest.

“Your highness, we forget our manners,” the man said. “Won’t you come inside for some tea?” He motioned to the still open door.

“We should return—” Nicholas began.

But Ingrid went to him, grasping his hand and gazing up at him with pleading eyes. “Please, Nicholas? Then you can help me tell them all about our grand adventure.”

Her mother lifted a brow, giving her daughter a sideways glance. “It was a grand adventure? To be kidnapped?”

“I’m sure the prince and his lady have far more important things to do than regale us with fairy tales, Ingrid,” her father said.

“It’s not a fairy tale, Papa! It’s the truth.”

Ella cleared her throat and stepped up next to Nicholas. “Perhaps we could stay for a pot of tea.” She made a show of shivering. “It’s a bit damp and cold out here and we’ve been riding for a long time.”

Nicholas gave her sideways glance. She flashed a smile and shrugged. Finally, he turned back to them.

“All right. I suppose we can stay for some tea.”

“And lemon cakes!” Ingrid added.

Then she skipped back into the house. Her sister, Freya, whispered loud enough for all to hear, “Did you really meet a pirate?”

***

Ella sat curled in the well-worn oversized chair with her legs curled under her while she held a cup of steaming tea under her nose. Her belly was full of beef stew and lemon cakes, leaving her feeling drowsy and comfortable and deliriously happy.

Before dinner, Lars had seen to their horses. He put them in his stable for the night and made sure they were fed and watered.

Now, Ingrid stood in front of the fireplace, telling her tale of rescue and escape, using all sorts of hand and arm gestures, while her parents and siblings listened in captivated silence.

Her parents, Lars and Ava, cuddled on the sofa. Freya perched on her mother’s lap. Ivar sat cross-legged on the floor looking up at his sister with wide-eyed wonder. Agnes and Lukas had excused themselves after dinner to return home.

Ella glanced at Nicholas, who sat in the chair across from her. Light smoldered in his deep blue eyes. Her heart turned over as he gave her a small, tired smile. She had a bit of guilt for talking him into staying, but he didn’t seem to mind nor did his appetite.

Ingrid’s favorite part was when Nicholas carried her to the gate after she’d sprained her ankle. She seemed to think that was the most romantic thing ever, making Ella blush to the roots of her hair. She pretended not to be affected by it by taking a sip of her tea.

“That’s quite a tale,” her father said.

“OH! I almost forgot.” Ingrid reached into her pocket and brought out the two boxes Noella gave her. She handed them to her siblings.

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