The Perfectly Proper Prince Read Online Free PDF

did, and the painful welts disappeared. He looked at Elena in surprise. “It’s magic!”
    Lysandra opened her purse. Taking out a few gold coins, she held them out to the man.
    â€œFor me, miss?”
    Lysandra nodded.
    The man’s eyes misted over. “I’m ever so grateful, miss.” Taking the coins, he bowed. “Name’s Jack Flack,” he said, pointing to himself. “If you ever need any help, just give a whistle and I’ll be at your service.” Bowing again, he put the coins in his pocket and sauntered off.
    â€œHe’ll probably just spend the money on ale,” Fatima remarked as the princesses watched him leave.
    â€œMaybe,” said Elena. “But we can’t know that for sure. Doing a kindness is never wrong.”
    A short while later, as they continued to walk through the market, the princesses came upon a puppet show. They laughed as three billy goats on strings danced along to a wooden bridge. Under the bridge, a puppet troll was sleeping. Suddenly he jerked to life on his strings. “Who’s that crossing over my bridge?” he roared.
    Lysandra felt a hand on her shoulder. “Who’s that sneaking out of the castle?” someone hissed in her ear. Lysandra jumped and gave a startled yelp. Owen! She hadn’t seen him since he and his friends had begun playing by the stables. She hadn’t missed him either.
    Owen smiled nastily. All the princesseswere staring at him. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”
    Lysandra sighed. “Fatima, Elena, and Tansy, this is my cousin Owen.”
    Owen looked from one girl to the other, then back to Lysandra. “My, my,” he said, smirking. “I don’t think your parents will be too happy to hear about this. Stealing away to the village in disguise. And during your naptime, too! They’ll probably send your new friends packing.” He paused and held out his hand, palm up. “Unless…”
    â€œUnless what?” growled a voice. Suddenly Owen’s feet left the ground as he was hauled up by the front of his shirt. “Excuse me, miss,” Jack said. “Is this gent bothering you?”
    Lysandra nodded.
    Owen struggled like a worm on a hook.“Put me down! I’ll have you know, my father is the Duke of Brithia.”
    â€œIs that so?” said Jack. “Then I’m sure he’ll be real interested to know what you’ve been up to, threatening these young misses.”
    â€œThey’re not ‘young misses,’” Owen spat out. “They’re princesses .”
    Eyeing their old cloaks, Jack Flack winked at the four girls. “Of course they are,” he said. “And I’m the King of Zamora.” He drew Owen toward him until they were nose to nose. “These young misses are friends of mine. In the future you’ll be staying away from them, understand?”
    Owen nodded. His chin wobbled as he tried not to cry.
    â€œGood,” said Jack. He set Owen down. “Because if I ever hear of you bothering one of them again…” He drew a finger across his throat.

    Without a backward glance, Owen bounded away like a frightened rabbit.
    â€œThank you,” Lysandra said, opening her purse.
    â€œNo, miss,” Jack said quickly. “It should be plain I’m no angel. You’ve already given me more than I deserve.” Whistling, he waved good-bye and went on his way.
    â€œNot that I’m ungrateful,” Fatima said, “but I thought we were going to help someone—instead of the other way around.”
    â€œBut isn’t it good to give and to receive?” Elena asked.
    â€œYou’re right,” said Lysandra. “But maybe it’s still not too late to find someone who needs our help.”
    Tansy’s eyes twinkled. “I have an idea.” She drew her flute from her pocket and began to play. As the notes flowed, a tide of thoughts