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

mother-in-law,’ Hugh admitted.
    â€˜Who’s not bad for a mother-in-law?’ a voice boomed from behind the group.
    â€˜Granny!’ Alice-Miranda turned around and raced to the woman, leaping into her arms.
    â€˜Oops!’ Hugh looked at Millie and pulled a face.
    Valentina Highton-Smith gave her granddaughter a kiss and then greeted the rest of the group. She arched an eyebrow at Hugh. ‘So, what have I done to upset my formerly favourite son-in-law?’
    Hugh held out his arms. ‘Formerly favourite? I thought I’d always be your number one, Valentina. Although, I suppose I didn’t count on having a movie star as my competition.’
    â€˜Good grief,’ Vincent Langley muttered under his breath.
    â€˜Oh, stop it, Hugh,’ Valentina said, flicking her hand. ‘You know I can’t resist those puppy-dog eyes of yours. Lawrence might be one of the most handsome men on the planet, but you’re a pretty close second. Besides, I’ve known you a lot longer and he’s still in the probationary phase.’ Valentina embraced the man. ‘Speaking of Lawrence, I wonder how far away they are. I’m bursting to see those babies again.’
    â€˜Excuse me, Ms Highton-Smith, I’d rather like to show you to your rooms if I may.’ Vincent Langley tapped his foot impatiently. The man was mentally ticking off some of the hundred and one things left to do before the garden party and he was eager to get back downstairs to see if Braxton Balfour had managed to get through his long list of duties.
    â€˜Yes, of course. Sorry to hold you up, Mr Langley,’ Cecelia said.
    â€˜I’ll leave you to settle in then,’ Valentina Highton-Smith said. ‘I think I’ll hunt down a cup of tea before I change for the party. See you all later.’
    â€˜Bye, Granny.’ Alice-Miranda gave a wave and the others said goodbye too.
    Vincent Langley unlocked a door and pushed it open. ‘Mr Kennington-Jones, Ms Highton-Smith, this is the Tulip Suite.’ He motioned for them to enter. ‘Children, would you like to follow me?’ Mr Langley asked, turning on his heel. ‘Your room is directly opposite, across the hall.’
    â€˜I’ll go with the girls,’ Cecelia said. ‘Darling, why don’t you have a lie down for half an hour before the garden party?’
    â€˜You read my mind, Cee,’ Hugh said gratefully.
    â€˜What’s our room called?’ Millie asked.
    â€˜It’s the Daffodil Suite,’ Mr Langley replied. He’d barely opened the door when Millie rushed past him and into the room.
    â€˜Whoa!’ she exclaimed. ‘Look at that ceiling. How did they make all those flowers in the plaster?’
    Alice-Miranda smiled. ‘Very carefully, I’d say.’
    The wallpaper was the softest of yellows and imprinted with a delicate white fleur-de-lis pattern, and there was a huge spray of daffodils in a vase on the wide mahogany dressing table. The room had twin double beds with white duvets, and each bedside table held a lamp with a pale yellow shade in the shape of a daffodil. A pair of floral yellow armchairs with high wingbacks sat either side of the double-hung windows with their billowing striped lemon-coloured curtains.
    Alice-Miranda walked over to the window. ‘Millie, we can see the hunting tower from here,’ she called.
    Millie raced over to join her, and the two girls were soon pointing at this and that and making plans about all of the things they wanted to see.
    â€˜Shall I leave you to settle in?’ Cecelia asked.
    Alice-Miranda turned and nodded. ‘Mummy, it’s all so beautiful. I can’t wait until the party.’
    â€˜Why don’t I come and help you get ready in a little while?’ Cecelia suggested.
    â€˜The garden party starts at one o’clock,’ Mr Langley reminded them. ‘Everyone is meeting downstairs in the rear entrance hall at