"Bryan, are you down here?" Katherine called, walking down the stone steps.

"Is there anywhere else I should be?" he replied calmly.

Katherine laughed. Ever since Mary became part of the family, one servant had been condemned to the laundry room. As soon as Bryan was old enough, he was placed down there.

Katherine gave Bryan a quick hug. "So, what's new?"

"Nothing, really," he answered, putting a clump of wet clothing in the dryer. "Just the usual. Washing knickers that a family of four could live in." He picked one up as an example.

Katherine giggled. She threw some wet clothes in the dryer.

Bryan was twenty-three years old with a charming smile and a happy laugh. He had dirty blond hair with green eyes. He was taller than Katherine was.

"What about you, Kat? When can I stop washing that flimsy college uniform of yours?" Bryan flicked her navy, mid-theigh length skirt.

"Another month or so and then I'm done for this year. And it's not too short," she defended.

He stopped, put his hands on his hips and looked her over. She wore a white blouse under a navy vest, her skirt that revealed long, slim legs that ended up in small loafters. Her hair was in two pigtails.

"Aren't you too old for those?"

She stuck out her tongue. "I think they're nice. I felt like something different. It's so boring here! I think I might run away."

"Where would you go? You are the Princess and all. You'd be found as soon as you stepped out of town."

"I don't know, but it's time for a change. Daddy and Mary won't miss me much," Katherine said.

"I will. Who'll be around to help with the laundry?" Bryan pouted playfully.

Katherine hugged him, then pulled him to arm-length. "It won't be forever, you know. And I'll keep in touch, I promise."

"When do you want to leave?" Bryan asked.

"Less than a week."

Bryan put his forehead on hers. "You are going to get in so much trouble, Kat."

She just looked at him with a crooked grin. "Not unless I'm caught. I'm gonna pack now." She kissed his cheek and left.

Katherine had a swarm of feelings inside. Eagerness, anticipation, anxiety and fear...What was Father going to say to all of it when he found out?