Page 7 of Hearts Aweigh
“You … you share?” He made no move to take her hand as he laughed at the absurd notion. Daisy Randolph Masterson, the woman who reserved two seats in first class on a commercial flight because she didn’t want to risk sitting by a talker, was sharing a cabin with this woman.
Acabin?
“It’s cheaper with two in a room,” the newly introduced Althea said. “She and I can stretch our dollars further. Between the four of us, we manage to save our pennies on the extras.”
“I’m sorry. Thefourof you?” Had his mother gotten involved in some crazy cult?
“We wondered when you’d introduce us.” A voice spoke behind him.
Two older women watched from the seats nearby. The tall one grasped an open novel.
The other lady with the frizzy hair, who’d blocked his way, gave him a once-over and shook her head. “I’m afraid we’re going to have trouble with this one.”
Three unfriendly faces and the still-smiling Althea stared at him. He hadn’t expected his mother to have bodyguards.
The noise level increased as a new wave of passengers walked through the doors. Bodies filled the lobby. Staff members in pristine white uniforms with purple accents rushed to assist them.
“Excuse me, sir.” Ms. Blanchet joined him with her young charge. “We’ve finished in the restroom.”
Madeleine! He’d forgotten her again. No one would be nominating him for father of the year.
“Can we wait for you in the suite?” the caregiver asked. “It’s getting crowded here.”
Daisy’s attention fixed on the little girl. Her brow wrinkled, and she leaned forward slightly. Did she recognize her granddaughter? Madeleine had been three when they’d last met.
His daughter’s hand rested on her stomach. Was she still hungry? Had the granola bar been enough? Spencer opened his mouth to ask, but a cheerful greeting stopped him.
“Welcome to the MSBuckingham.” The redhead from the pier approached their group. She still wore the billowing purple ball gown and carried a basket piled with gold crowns and rhinestone-studded tiaras. She retrieved one, set her basket on the floor, and crouched at eye level with his daughter. “Hello again. Is this your first time sailing?”
Madeleine’s head bobbed. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh my. You have such lovely manners. Are you nervous?”
Another nod.
“I have just the thing.” The woman extended the golden tiara with both hands. “This is a courage crown. Any girl who feels a bit scared can place it on her head, and her bravery rises. Would you care to try?”
A third nod.
The employee set the crown gently on top of Madeleine with all the solemnity of an actual coronation and clasped her hands to her chest. “You look like a princess!”
His daughter grinned. Spencer couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her so happy. This woman had a way about her.
The child whisperer adjusted the tiara. “What’s your name, sweetie?”
“Madeleine.”
“Madeleine!” Daisy sprang to her feet.
The little girl jumped and scooted behind the gray-skirted legs of her governess.
“Yes.” Spencer glanced at his mother. “As you may have gathered, this is your granddaughter, Madeleine Rothschild Masterson.”
The redhead craned her neck in an exaggerated arc to make eye contact with his daughter. “What a perfect name. Did you know there was a famous queen of Scotland named Madeleine?”
The child emerged from her hiding place and gave a slight shake of her head.
“She was one of the most courageous queens who ever lived.” The woman leaned forward. “Madeleine is the perfect name for a brave girl like you.”
