Free The Frog Prince by Jenni James Page A

and waved Blythe toward the settee. “Sit next to your companion, dear. Bethany and I were just laughing at some of the amusing things Caspian has said to keep us entertained while we waited for you.” Another soft ring of annoyance came through her tone of voice at the last few words.
    “I hope he did not frighten you,” Blythe said to Queen Bethany. “We are so used to him now, I did not even think how you must have felt when you saw him hop in.”
    “He is fine, dear. And quite a charming rascal as well.” She grinned at the frog, and Blythe was surprised to see her slip in a sly wink.
    Mary laughed. “Oh, do not let Bethany fool you! She jumped as high as anyone I have seen when he first came in and said hello.”
    “’Tis only because I was not prepared to see him like that.”
    “Do you mean, to see a talking frog? Or just to see a frog in general going about the place?” Blythe asked.
    “No, I meant to see him like that .”
    “Well, you have yet to tell us why you came, Queen Bethany,” Caspian declared, a bit overly loud. “And I am sure it does not have anything to do with secrets of Prince Nolan’s that you should be keeping, does it?”
    Blythe glanced at him. Why was he behaving so oddly? “Are you implying that she is keeping something from us?”
    Mary laughed before Bethany or Caspian could reply. “What heaviness is in this room! I will not have it. We are a merry party who are together now and that is all that matters.”
    “’Tis true,” Caspian said. “Forgive my rudeness, Queen Bethany.”
    “No matter,” she said. “I have simply come to see for myself what Princess Blythe is like. I have heard so many things about you from my son, my dear.” She grinned. “And I decided it was about time to come meet you personally. I find it is the best way to truly get to know someone—face-to-face like this. Do you not agree?”
    “I do.” Blythe chuckled, liking her already. “Though I cannot imagine what Prince Nolan has relayed about me.”
    “Yes, but I am sure you would not be interested in hearing any of it,” Caspian said.
    “No, on the contrary. I am very curious to see how my betrothed speaks of me to others. I feel any woman would be. It is only natural.” She looked at Queen Bethany. “Would you mind sharing what has intrigued you so that you have come out to meet me?”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    NOLAN GULPED. HIS MOTHER would not really be that brainless as to actually tell Blythe what he had thought of her, would she?
    She glanced at him and gave him another wink. Good grief. She really was that dim. Of course she would tell everything. Somehow, someway, she probably believed it would help him. He opened his mouth to intervene and stop the inevitable, but she was much quicker.
    “Oh, you know how young men talk to their mothers. You are never fully clear on what they are truly thinking. He will say one thing today and then tomorrow tell me the direct opposite.”
    Nolan breathed a sigh of relief. It would seem he was safe after all.
    “I can agree with you there!” Mary laughed. “My boys will forever tell me one thing and I will believe it is truly their opinion on the matter. Yet, when I relay such things to someone else, it is all they can do to contradict me at every turn, specifically clarifying that they had never meant their original opinion after all.”
    “Are you saying he has changed his mind about me?” Blythe asked, her features scrunched in confusion.
    “Oh, goodness, no!” Bethany leaned forward. “No, his opinion of you has always been the same. If anything, it may have become more fervent throughout the last few months or so, but he has always portrayed the same interest in the arrangement as ever before.”
    “Well, that is fine then,” Mary exclaimed with a look at her daughter. “It is nice to know there is a steadfast man in your home.”
    “Steadfast?” Blythe shook her head. “But moments ago, you implied he was not firm. Have I perchance