Free Alice-Miranda at the Palace 11 by Jacqueline Harvey Page B

Venetia had planned in her life and she was determined to oversee the whole lot personally.
    â€˜Something smells good in here,’ a tall lad with a mop of black curls commented as he wandered into the kitchen.
    Venetia looked up. ‘May I help you?’
    Before she could blink, an identical boy appeared. ‘Are you Venetia Baldini?’ he asked.
    The woman nodded. ‘Yes.’
    Although they would never admit it, the twins loved watching her show, probably because Venetia happened to be outrageously beautiful as well as a great cook. Men the world over had fallen under her spell, and even those with absolutely no interest in cooking were often to be found enjoying an episode of Sweet Things .
    â€˜And who are you?’ she asked the boys.
    â€˜I’m Louis and he’s Edgar.’
    Venetia looked at them blankly. She couldn’t remember seeing either of those names on her list of staff for the evening.
    â€˜Well, you can start washing the brussels sprouts,’ she instructed, then pointed at the other lad. ‘You can dice the potatoes that are already peeled.’ With that, she began to peel the onions on the bench.
    â€˜What did you say?’ Louis asked.
    Venetia exhaled. ‘Really, I don’t have time for this. I was told that the palace staff would take direction without question.’
    â€˜Palace staff?’ Edgar was incredulous.
    Louis nudged his brother. ‘It’s all right, Edgar. I’ll  take the sprouts and you can look after the potatoes.’
    Caprice watched the pair from over by the sink.
    â€˜I want the sprouts washed and the stems cut like this.’ Venetia grabbed a vegetable and showed the lads. ‘And these potatoes need to be cubed for a salad. This size.’ Venetia picked up a potato and, within seconds, had diced it into perfectly matching pieces.
    Louis grabbed a sprout and picked up a largeknife. ‘I think I’d rather do this with the sprouts.’ He brought the blade down on the vegetable and proceeded to chop it into a mangled mess.
    â€˜What on earth do you think you’re doing?’ Venetia roared.
    The boy grinned. ‘I hate brussels sprouts.’
    His brother nodded in agreement. ‘Me too. They’re like the Nigel No Friend of the vegetable world. They’re ugly and horrid and were secretly created for the sole pleasure of punishing children.’
    Caprice giggled.
    Venetia looked at the pair again. It dawned on her that they weren’t dressed for the kitchen at all. ‘I gather you’re not here to help?’ she demanded.
    â€˜No, we’re here to find something to eat,’ Louis said, his eyes wandering around the benches to see if anything took his fancy. ‘There was nothing particularly interesting at Grandmama’s stupid party.’
    Venetia swallowed. ‘Grandmama? Oh, heavens, is Her Majesty your grandmother?’
    The twins nodded.
    â€˜I am so sorry. It’s just that we’re missing a couple of staff members and I assumed … Of course I shouldn’t have,’ Venetia apologised.
    All of a sudden there was a loud bang in the adjoining room and a spluttering of expletives.
    â€˜Oh dear, please excuse me.’ Venetia raced away to see what disaster had befallen them.
    Edgar looked at Caprice, who’d been enjoying the exchange between her mother and the twins. Louis stared at her too.
    â€˜You’re very pretty,’ Edgar said. ‘Who are you, anyway?’
    â€˜Caprice,’ the girl replied sweetly. ‘Venetia’s my mother and I’m sorry she’s not very smart sometimes. I knew who you were straight away.’
    â€˜How?’ Louis asked.
    â€˜I’ve seen your pictures in Gloss and Goss ,’ Caprice said. ‘Mummy’s in it all the time. She never pays any attention but I do.’
    â€˜What are you doing here?’ Edgar asked.
    â€˜Slave labour.’
    The twins nodded. ‘Is