The Cinder Bullies (20)

Cindy was totally amazed when she met the owners of the estate. In spite of its enormous size and their obvious wealth, Bartley and Bessie were the most humble couple she had ever met. Millie was pleasantly surprised too, because like Cindy, she had been fearful about meeting anyone new.

Bartley and Bessie both took an immediate liking to the two young women, but they were puzzled about Xaviar and his past. Once they spoke with him directly, they understood, and realized that Nadia's concern for her son was legitimate. They also agreed that no one should be forced into the role of a scullery maid.

Dancer proved to be a total delight to them, because he danced on his hind legs to every tune that Xaviar played on his flute. Never had they seen anything like it before.

All in all, the dinner with them went very well, and the evening was a happy one for everyone. Nadia and Rosa were delighted to be treated like ladies being waited upon hand and foot. After dinner, the young folks went outside to sit in the gazebo with Dancer, and they had a chance to speak to Bartley and Bessie alone, about their proposed project.

"What a fantastic idea!" said Bartley, the elderly, gray haired gentleman. He was obviously excited about it and his enthusiasm soon got Bessie interested, as well. At first, being fragile, she was skeptical about it, until she realized that while the school would be established right on their estate, she would not have to take matronly responsibility for it. Rosa and Nadia would be the matrons. Thus, it was not long before Bartley gave them his permission to pursue the project further, with a promise of whatever financial assistance he could offer.

Rosa and Nadia decided to approach the young ladies and Xaviar about it individually, but later on, as the opportunity arose. The first major hurdle to overcome was going to be the welcome home party. This would be the first social event for all of them together.

"By the way, I promised a surprise for you." said Bartley. "We are going to have someone staying with us, a royal guest who will be attending the welcome home party. He is a young man and a prince, at that."

"That might complicate everything for our two young ladies and Xaviar," said Nadia, immediately.

"There is nothing to worry about, I promise you," replied Bartley. "You will love this young man, too!"

Rosa smiled. She could see that he had something up his sleeve.

"That is perfect," she replied, smiling. "It should prove exciting for everyone."

What Bartley had not told them was that this particular prince was in exile, and that he had agreed to take the exiled prince into his home for an unspecified length of time.

"There will be time enough to tell them that later, if the matter does come up," he thought to himself. "In the meantime, my wife and I have our work with him cut out."

"He is about the same age as your young folks," he said to Rosa and Nadia. "He should fit in well," Bartley assured them.

"I don't know about this, Bartley!" said Bessie, after everyone had left.

"Part of the problem with being raised as royalty, is the total lack of responsibility," Bartley replied. "He has to be taught how to live like a responsible human being."

She knew that Bartley was right. Like other young men, the prince had to learn to accept responsibility for others too, otherwise he never would be able to fulfill his royal tasks, later on in life.

"This might take some of the pressure off our other young folks," Bartley said. "Remember that I was a royal rascal like him, at that age, too."

Bessie chuckled.

"You certainly were, dear, and so was I."

"I know we can help all of them, dear," he said, taking her hand. "Bear with me on this."

"I will. We had so much fun then, too! Maybe they will help each other."

"Young folks usually do."