Lucky

Lucky's long hair was swept up in the back, pinned in place by a decorative Spanish comb. She was in a frilled white dress, white blouse, long black skirt, and black heels. She wanted to look modest, nonthreatening, only her beauty could not be hidden; even if she wore a cloth sack, she still might cause a riot, a "Louisiana incident."

She was nervous again.

This marked the third time on the Morning Queen she'd been like this: meeting Noble Prince, she thought, auditioning for him, and now this, meeting Noble Prince's Red-Hot Rhythm Band.

The picture was put back on the desk, and Lucky continued looking at it longingly, drawing up memory, time, and place. "At least I got to see Aunt Priscilla, didn't I?" She made it her business to travel back home, to see her aunt and to visit her mother's gravesite.

"Oh, well..."

Then she brightened and laughed and felt a bit merry in a way. For Noble Prince had stashed her away like a precious diamond under lock and key. All the boat personnel were sworn to keeping her a secret from the band, told so directly by Frank Landers. There wasn't to be a peep about her being on board the Morning Queen to any of the band members--or else.

"I feel quite, quite--haha--important."

In fact, if anyone noticed that the old baggage room door was painted (shock of shocks!). "You are to say, forthwith: I suppose Seth must've mixed up doors." Frank Landers was heard to say. All the bases, therefore, were covered. All the chess pieces in place. All Lucky was doing now, was waiting on Noble Prince, and it wouldn't be much longer before she stood in the grand ballroom.

Later.
Tap.
"Lucky."
"I'm ready, sir, Mr. Prince."
"Lucky opened the door.”
"I see you look quite lovely, my dear."
Noble presented his arm to her, and Lucky took it.
"They're all assembled in the ballroom, as planned, Lucky."
"All...all of them?"
"Haha. Now I expected you to be nervous, Lucky--but, yes, all of them."