I'm about to say something that I'm sure to regret when my brother walks into the study with a curvaceous beautiful woman proudly linked by his arm. That same dark haired beauty I'd seen on the gossip news segment last night. I immediately shift my focus to him, somewhat surprised to see a genuine smile on his face.

"Petros, what a wonderful surprise! I didn't realize we were to be expecting you." My brother's jovial, hearty tone throws me off. When was the last time he sounded so... upbeat?

But that doesn't deter me from being put off guard by the coterie of females who come with them. I remember hearing there were other daughters and a mother. What had my brother been thinking to invite them all to stay on palace grounds. I needed to talk with my brother. Instead, I was surrounded by the very problem I needed to discuss with him.

And their gazes were zeroing in on me.

Rupert finally acknowledges me. "I'd like to introduce you to Dora West, my fiancée. Dora, this is my brother, King Petros."

The beautiful outspoken lady in his arms detaches herself from my brother and comes at me like a heat seeking missile.

"Brother!" The woman I've never met before lets out a shriek that causes all of the palace hounds to howl and hurls herself into my arms.

"Oh," she cries, rubbing her nose into the Lithuanian silk of my shirt. "I've heard so much about you. It's as if I've known you all my life."

That's funny, because I've never heard of you and I quite prefer it that way. I wanted to call the palace guards, but there were so many women present. And a child.

"There, there." I pat her back. She doesn't take the hint. I gently start to push her away but she growls and attaches herself with even more force, locking her hands around my torso and squeezing with an octopus-like vigor.

"Oh, Petie!" she wails.

Petie? Who the hell is Petie?

She continues her mournful song. "I've always wanted a brother."

That's funny, because I've never wanted a sister.

"That's quite enough," I mutter, looking up to find Cyndi staring at me with an irritating I told you so manner. Her arms are crossed and one delicate brow lifts as if to say 'What now?'

"Rupert," I say in the most even tone I can manage. "Can you call off your...woman?" Just barely, I repress my urge to say dog.

"Down girl!" Rupert laughs halfheartedly. I think my brother is enjoying this farce even more than she is.

The woman jumps up and down, but does not let go. "But I'm saying hello! I want to leave a good impression on my new brother!"

"You've left quite the impression already," I tell her.

She looks up at me with rabid eyes. "Really?"

"Rest assured you have," I tell her. "Now, go back to your spot."

"Yes. I might get jealous, you know! I want some attention too!" Rupert sings.

With a cry that gets the hounds back to barking, she dislodges herself and flies into my brother's arms. He twirls her around, lopsided, completely oblivious to the priceless heirlooms surrounding them.

"Where are your manners. Show him your curtsey, dear."

"Dora, shame on you for monopolizing the King." Gwendolyn says with a high pitched laugh. "You haven't met my other daughter, Victoria, Tori among her friends. She's not spoken for." Gwendolyn thrusts the girl forward by the small of her back, launching the poor girl into my chest.

"Look how well you are getting along and you've just been introduced." Gwendolyn gives me a wide smile and a wink. With all that mascara it looks like a grimace.

"Where are your manners, Tori? Show him how I taught you to curtsey, dear." Tori falters and then drops into a curtsey so deep she disappears into her skirts. When she rises, it's like a sturdy Venus emerges out of a pool of water. She stands stock still before the me until I reach for her hand and bring it to my lips.

"A pleasure to meet you, Victoria."

"The pleasure is ours, your Highness," says Gwendolyn who steps forward and takes such a deep curtsey that she grabs Tori's elbow to stand back up. This yanks Tori's hand out of mine.

"What an arresting family. And who might you be?" I ask dreading that she is going to launch herself into my chest.

She giggles, puts her hand over their chest, "No, I'm not their sister." Answering a question i did not ask or would not have asked.

"I'm their mother, silly." She gives me a wink. Her heavy mascara makes it look more like a grimace. "You must call me Gwendolyn." Her high pitched laughter meant to mimic crystal chimes but pierces my ears like broken glass.

It's as if Rupert completely overlooks the strange menagerie he has invited into the palace He's utterly transfixed by the beautiful female on his arm. He fails to see the avid delight of Gwendolyn and the wide eyed expression of Tori, who looks like a child given the keys to the candy store. The actual child who brings up the rear appears to be the most appealing one of the lot. No doubt in time she will follow in the footsteps of that mother.

Prince Rupert gives Dora a deep kiss and then says, "Dora has captured my heart most completely. "

"I gathered that."

Rupert cannot manage to lift his gaze from his future bride's eyes while he speaks to me. "Yes, it has been quite a whirlwind for everyone involved, dare I say. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

"My my. That is quite a recommendation. My dear brother usually makes a habit to fall in love once a season, but perhaps never so instantaneously before.

"Welcome to Delta Ohr."

Gwendolyn looks around at all her daughters and realizes that she has missed an introduction.

"Last and perhaps least is my step daughter, dear Charlotte. Her mother died giving birth to her and I'm afraid she hasn't expected much out of life since then. But I am nothing if not generous. Both she and Cyndi are also a part of our little family."

I am shocked to hear such words come from a mother and lean forward to give Charlotte a careful perusal. She seems sound and fit, her candid dark brown eyes look directly back at me.

"Do you like to swim or read, child?"

"Oh yes, more than anything."

"You will enjoy your stay. We have an outdoor pool, a garden and a library with books from all over the universe."

I notice that Cyndi makes an inadvertent murmur which she covers up with a quick remark. "That's sure to make at least two of us happy."

Prince Rupert announces, "I think we should convene at the dining room within the hour. I have spoken with the chef and he promises to make us all a celebratory meal to remember. I hope this suits your schedule, Petros?"

Although their proposed marriage date is not far off, I may as well play along at least for a few days. Nothing will persuade me this disaster of a wedding must not happen in the first place.

I barely notice he's asked me a question and after a long pause I nod. Yes, sitting around the table I may find out many things. Good food and excellent wine bring out so much more than anyone suspects. I will watch how Rupert and Dora behave. I shudder at spending so much time in the company of Gwendolyn but my duty is bound to my brother and my country. If I have to dine with swine, so be it.

The females all start to make their way outside the study. Prince Rupert has an attendant show them to the Dowager's wing where they may all refresh themselves and get ready for dinner. I want to cover my ears at the noise of them all talking at once. I notice Cyndi takes Char by the hand and quietly talks with her. It gives me the impression that Cyndi is more the mother to Char than Gwendolyn, despite what the step mother suggests.