Page 72 of That Thing You Brew
“I will. Thanks for the tip.” He sighed. “See ya, Penny.”
I turned to walk back to the little stage. Howdidhedini and his little guy were setting up for their last set. I walked past them right to Xavier. His backside was to me as he chatted with Jason. I didn’t want to interrupt their conversation, so I wrapped my arms around his waist and waited, careful not to dislodge my flower circlet.
His warm hands covered mine, and he said goodbye to Jason and turned around. “Well, hello, wifey.” He bent into a deep formal bow. “Sir Zavey Baron von Schwann, at your service.”
I giggled. “Lady Lucky Penny Baroness von Schwann requests your assistance to transport her instrument to her new carriage.”
As he rose, his eyes narrowed, and he waggled his brows. “As you wish, milady. I’ll be happy to see to the safe passage of your instrument to the Palisade. And may the Baron relay a request as well?”
“The Baron may state his request in between kisses. The lady requires payment in the form of affection, your lordship, no exceptions.” I tapped him on the nose. “Commence kisses now, then state your request.”
He grinned and then his mouth was on mine. Someone hooted and whistled behind us, but I didn’t care.
I made a pouty face when he pulled away, but per our agreement, I let him speak.
“Sir Zavey Baron von Schwann wishes for the Lady Lucky Penny Baroness von Schwann to bestow her favor upon him and escort her on his arm to the castle courtyard for tonight’s Masquerade Ball.”
“Hmm.” I tapped my chin, pretending to consider the matter carefully. “Perhaps you should bestow more kisses before I make such an important decision.”
“As you wish.”
I would never get enough of his kisses. “The Lady Lucky Penny Baroness von Schwann has decided to grant your request.”
“Excellent,” he whispered, trailing kisses from my ear down the curve of my neck. “I’ll get our masks, too. Meet me there?”
“As you wish,” I replied. He grinned and spun on his heel, headed for the harp.
While Xavier brought the harp to my new SUV—an early birthday present—I took the leisurely off-the-beaten path route to the back of the fairgrounds, where the ball was to be held in a gigantic event tent. I’d made a lot of memories here over the years and a lot of friends. I’d look back fondly on my time as a Ren Faire harpist, but it was time for a new chapter to begin. I spoke to Tasha briefly, and she insisted she was all right.
When I arrived at the tent, Xavier was already there, standing in a group of our family and friends. I was bummed Tasha was sick; this was the only part of the Ren Faire she had looked forward to. Monty was also missing, and I hoped he was on his way home to make sure she was all right, despite my advice to him to leave her alone.
As I approached, Xavier looked up, and our eyes locked. He straightened to his full height and bowed.
I would never get tired of that.
I said hello to everyone, and we all lined up.
“Penny? Erm, Baroness von Schwann?”
I turned around. It was one of the footmen from the queen’s entourage. “Hi, Neil. Everything okay?”
He bowed. “Her Majesty wishes that you and the Baron allow me to escort you to theotherentrance.”
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “Wow. Um, sure.” I tugged on Xavier’s arm, and we followed him around the tent to the back, where the guests of honor entered, to be paraded in front of the Ren Faire royalty who sat on stage, watching their subjects.
The footman gestured for us to line up behind the courtiers, in front of the duke and duchess. “When you enter, walk to the right of the dance floor and line up facing the couple in front of you.” He opened the gate.
I couldn’t see over the heads in front of me. “Xavier!” I hissed. “Tell me what you see!”
After a few seconds, he leaned down and spoke low. “Trust me, this is something you don’t want a spoiler for.”
I groaned. “Okaaaaay.”
As each couple was announced and entered, we stepped closer to the open gate. As the pair before us entered and turned left, we hurried to the entrance.
I shivered delightfully when the announcer welcomed us as Baron and Baroness von Schwann. We stepped forward and turned to the right. The king and queen sat on their thrones and smiled down at us. I gasped at the painted sign that hung over the stage.
FARE THEE WELL,
