For a moment she peeped out from under his coat, offering a tentative smile, wide dark eyes, and hair tied back with a new ribbon. Then she ducked behind her father again. The Prince got down on one knee, so his face was almost level with her own.

“She gets shy, sometimes,” said the man, stroking her hair. “Then once she gets to know you, she’s a regular little chatterbox, she is.” He gently pushed the girl out in front of him. “Emma, show His Highness what you brought.”

Reluctantly, the girl came forward, and Kevin could see she was holding a small, earthenware crock in her tiny hands. The top was covered with a piece of clean cloth, tied around the rim with string. Suddenly she thrust it at the Prince, and as soon as he took it, she turned back to her father and buried her face in his jacket.

“It’s mint jelly,” said the man. “She made it herself. With a little help from her mum, isn’t that right, Emma?” The girl hugged him tighter and made no reply. “We thought we’d be leaving it for you. Didn’t think we’d actually be talking to you.”

“Thank you, Emma. I love mint jelly,” said the Prince. He stood back up. “Especially with my favorite meal, roast lamb.”

“You like lamb? I raise sheep myself.”

“Really?” said Kevin.

And here Winslow noticed that the man was wearing a shearling jacket and the pin of a minor guild official. It was the sort of thing that the Prince would pick up on immediately.

“As a matter of fact, Your Highness, our annual guild picnic is coming up. Now if you like roast lamb…” He suddenly looked uncomfortable. “Of course, no doubt you’re used to eating fancy foods, but if you’d care to drop by and say a few words…”

“I’d be delighted. Here.” He brought Winslow forward. “Winslow, pencil me in for a guild picnic next Thursday at two o’clock.” He turned back to the sheepman. “Give the details to my man here, and we’ll see if it can be arranged. Good-bye, Emma.”

The girl looked up briefly and gave a tiny wave.

“The picnic is next Thursday,” the man told Winslow. “At two…” He paused thoughtfully. Winslow made a mental note to set out wool clothing for the Prince and rehearse him on his speech “Sheep Raising, the Foundation of a Strong Economy.”

When he caught up to Kevin again the Prince was talking with a woman who spun flax. Her husband raised flax, her daughters spun it, and her uncles wove it. They were planning a large family reunion. Kevin promised to stop by. Winslow made a mental note to set out linen clothing and rehearse the Prince on his speech, “Flax Cultivation, the Foundation of a Strong Economy.”

Kevin continued to work the crowd, collecting more gifts of jams and preserves, hand-knit scarves, sweaters, gloves, mittens, baskets of fruit, carved wooden cups and bowls, and even a wooden flute. All of which were passed on to Winslow to carry. By the time they reached the edge of the gardens, the valet had his arms full and gifts stacked up to his chin. Kevin decided they had done enough.