The Cinder Bullies (27)

Bentley was quite concerned. He had been checking his wine cellar, in preparation for the welcome home party and soon discovered that several kegs of wine were missing. In the dust on the cellar floor, he could see two sets of men's footprints.

"There is no question that our two young guests have raided the wine cellar," he told Bessie, quietly. "They left a trail behind them."

"I am not at all surprised, dear," she replied. "They have been far too happy for young men experiencing withdrawal from alcohol."

"Now, I will have to confront them."

"You will have to catch them green-handed, first. Do you remember when you and I raided my father's wine cellar together? We were so young and did not know any better, then. We got so drunk that night, we were sick for three days." Bessie laughed, as she recalled her father's fury. She had wondered at that time, if she would ever be allowed to see Bentley again.

"He sure got rid of me quickly!" replied Bentley. "But, I returned and apologized to him."

"Very graciously too," added Bessie.

"Let's hope they are not planning to get the young ladies drunk."

"With several kegs of wine, they might just try to do that!" said Bentley. "Nadia and Rosa would be furious," said Bessie.

"They might offer it to Xaviar, too."

"Then, they will both have to answer to Nadia!"

"I would not want to be in their shoes!"

Bentley and Bessie knew just how angry Nadia could become, as they had been there when she found out Xaviar had been forced to do the work of a scullery maid.

"We will deal with the problem before it goes that far," Bentley assured Bessie.

"I sure hope so!"

A few hours later, there was absolutely no doubt that Phillip was inebriated. Xaviar was trying to persuade him to let him put the lift he had made for him into his shoe. Finally, he gave up and Phillip headed for the manor.

"Mother, I would swear that the prince is inebriated again," said Xaviar. "He is stumbling around, falling down and acting like a court jester, a very foolish and loud one, at that."

"That does not surprise me," replied Nadia. "Stay away from Phillip for now, and I will speak to Bentley about him." She knew it was far too soon to expect a young man who has been a heavy drinker, to stay sober. "Watch out for Cindy and Dancer, too." Nadia decided not to waste any time and to have a serious talk with Bentley right away. Anything that concerned her son was something that she could not ignore, as his mother.

Patton was nowhere to be seen, as he had gone to the village at Bentley's request, to post an invitation to the welcome party in the village square.

"Who is this young man anyhow?" wondered Maddie, who was outside in the garden, when he walked by. "Oh, maybe he's the prince, but he sure looks tipsy to me!" She waved at him, but if he saw her, he just kept walking. 
"I would really like to meet him. We could party it up together!"