Page 35 of Escaping Pirates
“Heaven forbid they come to their own conclusions,” Harlan said, nodding vigorously. “That would be?—”
“A travesty, yes.” Blossom smirked in a highly self-satisfied manner. “I’m glad to see we came to the same conclusion.” She rustled the paper she had in front of her and took a sip of tea, her pinkie finger stuck up almost as high as her ego.
“Here, can you take our dishes?” Harlan asked me, handing me his plate which still held several untouched orange slices and a wedge of cheese on it.
“Gladly,” I told him, taking them and discreetly palming what he’d left for me. Every chance he could, Harlan passed me additional food, and I’d noticed that my gums had ceased to bleed. And either because the scurvy was slowlygoing away, or because I finally had a friend, or a combination of the two, my energy was returning as well.
“It’s suspected that Prince Ernst of Berkway will inherit the throne instead of Jameson,” Blossom said. “Did you hear?”
Harlan stiffened. “Where did you hear that?”
“Uncle Tyrone. He always hears things.” She nodded importantly to Blossom. “Ernst is almost eighteen.”
“Wasn’t he already crown prince?” Sugar asked.
Blossom wrinkled her nose. “No. That’s why it’s such big news. Prince Jameson is several years older and is still the crown prince, but now, people are saying that Ernst will take the throne. Apparently, he’s been attending to Jameson’s duties even though Jameson is still there. During speeches, Jameson just sits there and Ernst speaks instead.”
“Imagine that,” Harlan intoned dully. His eyes slid out of focus, staring off into the distance.
“What do you think happened? Maybe he fell in love with a traitor like that other prince from Haven Harbor did and they want to strip his title.”
“Maybe he had a blow to the head and lost his memories!” Sugar chimed in. “What do you think, Harlan?”
“I think Ernst will do a respectable job,” Harlan answered quietly. “He’s a good man.”
“Do you know him?” Blossom asked, eyebrows jumping up to blend with her thin, red hair.
“We’ve crossed paths once or twice.”
“Oi, you!” One of the pirates stuck his head in and bellowed at Harlan. “Captain wants to see you, now!”
Harlan got to his feet and swept a grand bow. “I’ll be back soon. I must thank you for this unforgettable conversation. It will remain forever in my memory.” As Blossom andSugar simpered, Harlan’s eyes met mine briefly. He smiled at me, but this time, it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
The door thudded shut behind him, and Blossom and Sugar began speaking over each other.
“Did you see the way he bowed to me?”
“Forget that! Don’t you think he was awestruck by my intelligence?”
Sugar stuck out her lower lip, still glossy from her excessive consumption of butterscotch candies. “Not as impressed as when he looked at me in this dress!”
“Brains over bosoms!”
“Elena!” Sugar screeched. “Who do you think Harlan likes more? Blossom or me?”
“I think it would be impossible for him to choose between two such fine and accomplished ladies such as yourselves.”
Blossom’s thin lips curled. “I know he loves me!”
“Oh yeah? How do you know?” Sugar pouted.
Blossom smugly lifted her chin. “I’m basically telepathetic, that’s how.”
“Is that right?” I asked, fighting to keep my face straight. “Not telepathic?”
“Don’t correct your superiors,” Blossom snapped. “When Daddy gets to Berkway tomorrow morning, I’m going to have him buy more fancy parchment like Uncle Tyrone has.”
I perked up. “We’ll be in Berkway? That’s a good choice; I’m sure the ship needs some repairs after that kraken attack, and I hear that their shipwrights do wonderful work.”
