The Autumn Palace
Authors: Ebony McKenna
The Autumn Palace
E
BONY
M
C
K
ENNA
We bring stories to life
Ondine: The Autumn Palace
first published in Great Britain 2011
by Egmont UK Limited
239 Kensington High Street
London W8 6SA
Text copyright © Ebony McKenna 2011
The moral rights of the author have been asserted
First e-book edition 2011
ISBN 978 17803 1012 1
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Chapter One
L
et's get one thing clear from the outset. Ondine de Groot is not now, nor will she ever be, psychic.
Smart? Yes.
Prone to blurting out the wrong thing at the wrong time? Certainly.
But psychic? Hardly.
However, as she held Hamish's warm hand in hers and walked towards the train station in West Venzelemma, she felt something momentous might happen. Very soon. Possibly in the next few pages.
Hamish was about to take on a job with the Duke of Brugel,
1
who lived two boroughs away in the
poshest part of Venzelemma. It would take nine train stops to get there, which meant the next hour could be their last together for a long, long time. In fact, Ondine might not see him again for a whole week! That was far too long to go without seeing the boyfriend she'd only just found.
Giving his hand a squeeze, she steadied her bubbling emotions. In return Hamish gave her his trademark lopsided grin, making her insides go squishy.
âYer up tae something, lass, I can tell.'
âI was just thinking we might not
have
to say goodbye, once we reach the Duke's place.' Naughty flurries spun in her head as a plan to stay together began to form.
âI thought ye looked crafty.'
Ondine grinned. âYou know how I promised my parents I'd see you to the Duke's, then come home.
And then I also had to promise I wouldn't ask the Duke for a job . . .'
âOch, hen, there's a “but” coming any minute now.'
âBut!' And here Ondine beamed with how cleverly she could get around the promises she'd made to her parents without actually breaking them. âIt doesn't mean
you
can't ask the Duke for a job on my behalf.'
âYer sure yer nae stretching yer arm farther than yer sleeve'll let ye?'
A few cranks and cogs shifted in Ondine's head before she figured out what he was getting at. âI'm not overreaching. We'll be fine. What could possibly go wrong?'
âI wouldnae want tae get yer parents off-side. When they find out they'll be fair affronted.'
Ondine felt her face crumple. âYou don't want us to be together?'
âYe cannae look at me like that, it breaks me wee heart. Ye know I love ye more than anything and I'll do what I can for ye, lass.'
The tenseness in her shoulders eased. âI love you so much. If the Duke says “no”, then I'll wear it. But if
he says “yes”, then we can stay together.'
The cool autumn breeze blew her brown hair over her eyes, spoiling her view. Hamish tucked a stray tendril behind her ear. He gave her such a loving smile she forgot how to breathe.
âYer sure this is what ye want?' he asked. âI'll be right busy, what with all the important things the Duke has planned for me. Havtae admit, I'm right jumpy about ma first real gig.'
Ondine could have sworn his chest puffed out with pride. Fair enough, too. The Duke wanted him â for his particular talents â to spy for him.
âI am absolutely sure. Oh, Hamish, we're going to have such an adventure.'
âAye. I cannae wait.' He grinned at her again and she felt lightheaded with relief.
Fresh emotions bubbled up in her heart. âHamish, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me.'
âAw, hen, yer all that and more tae me.' He gave her a quick kiss. âBut time's wasting, let's nawt keep the Duke waiting.'
Just as they were asking for a couple of City Saver
tickets
2
a familiar voice called out, âYoo-hoo'.
Turning around, Ondine saw five suitcases cludder
3
into a neat pile on the ground, as if they'd been levitating not a moment earlier. A lead weight dropped in her stomach at the sight of her Great Aunt Colette Romano standing beside the luggage. How on earth had she packed it, then carried it, then caught up with them so quickly? Oh, that's right, she was a witch.
4
âWhat's she doing here?' Ondine said to Hamish behind gritted teeth.
âThere you are! Hamish, help me with the luggage,
there's a good boy.' Old Col bustled up to the counter in front of them.
Ondine saw Hamish's brows rise in confusion.
âCol, we are just paying for our tickets,' Hamish said, putting money on the counter. The older woman's hand slammed down hard on his. He winced. Ondine winced in sympathy. For an old bird, she sure packed a wallop.
Old Col grew stern. âPut your money away, I do not travel second.'
5
âI'm not asken ye to.'
âThen how am I to be Ondine's chaperone if we are not all in the same carriage?' She made a tisking sound, shook her head and turned her attention to the confused ticket clerk. Then she said in a too-loud voice, âThree
first
tickets to Bellreeve, thank you.'
Ondine thought,
Chaperone? For a train ride across town?
Hamish said, âThat is very generous of you, but . . .'
Then Ondine heard the sound of brakes screeching in her head. âBellreeve? What are we going all the way out there for? The Duke's right here in Venzelemma.'
âWe are going to Bellreeve because that is where the Autumn Palechia is.'
6
âBut â' started Ondine.
âBut â' started Hamish.
Old Col breathed in deeply and squared her shoulders. âEnough!' Just in case they didn't get it, she held her palm up in a stop sign.
Silently, Ondine gave Hamish's hand another squeeze to let him know,
We're in this together, we'll be OK
. Judging by Hamish's pale face, he wasn't so sure. Col had a way of messing up his life. He'd be numpty to think she'd go easy on him now.
7
âCome, children.' Old Col had that air of command about her.
Ondine and Hamish could only shrug and follow. All the while Ondine kept wondering about the sudden change of plan. Then Old Col turned and glared at them, which had the effect of chilling the air by five degrees. âThe suitcases aren't going to carry themselves, are they?'
An empty feeling stole over Ondine as Hamish let go of her hand and retrieved Old Col's cases. They looked back-breakingly heavy and there were five of them. Why didn't Old Col levitate them instead?
âAunt Col, I appreciate your concern for my welfare, but you really don't need to come. I know the way to the Duke's city palace, it's not that far from here,' Ondine said. âHamish and I have been there before, you know.'
âYou would say that, child.'
Patronising old
. . .
It didn't make sense to travel all the way to Bellreeve when the Duke lived so close by. If Ondine were honest with herself, she would also admit that the
thought of travelling to the country and being so far away from home made her nervous. Having grown up in the bustling streets of Venzelemma, the city felt familiar. The countryside was another matter entirely. With its dark spooky woods and big noisy animals lumbering about, travelling there felt a bit scary and intimidating.
âClearly you have not thought beyond your hormonal urges, Ondi. There is a bigger picture here and you are blind to it. You may recall that when the Duke of Brugel graced your parent's hotel several weeks ago,
8
he asked me to work for him, and I accepted.
9
He also invited Hamish into his employ, and Hamish accepted. He has not, however, extended any such invitation to you, and were the two of you to arrive at his city doorstep together,
you
, Ondine, would be returning alone.'
The luggage weighed Hamish dawn. Ondine's
back hurt in sympathy and she grabbed one of the cases to lighten his load. A few paces on, her shoulder felt ready to give out, plus she had a burning strain in her lower back, but she bore it.