Teddi Dianne's Diary

by Teddi Dianne Seibert-Aldoennetti

© 2003

 

(The innocent (?) years)

chapter VII

Sultan will walk sideways. How did we do that? Oh, Drat! How did I tell him, "NO! NO, stop that. Stop taking pictures, you're frightening him." don't buck... stop that, Don't take pictures... ... ... Please... bring... ... help! "Ohh,.. I think I broke every bone in my body. Yes, Sultan... I'm all right. Don't push, it hurts..." Two grooms are running in, I guess they heard me scream, they carefully help me up. "I think I'm fine. Ohh... Uhh... Thank-you." They don't speak English. "Yes, Yes, O.K., Ohh... Sto bene.. sto bene... Ohhh... that hurts. Are you all right Sultan? Don't worry big fellow, I will be fine, I think. Ohhh,.. I believe I shall walk (limp) for a little while." A minute or so later Jerry and Catherine arrive to see if I am badly hurt. "I shall be well, we were doing a new routine and then the photographer started taking pictures and the flash caused Sultan to buck and I fell off. It's not his fault, it was the photographer." "Photographer?" Catherine tells the grooms to look for a photographer. A few minutes later they return to speak with her. She asks Jerry to hurry out with them. "Come daughter, it is late and we must have him given a good rubdown and his supper. You are fortunate he likes you, we would not have known anything had happened if he had not come running to the stables, screaming at everyone. When they tried to catch him he ran back here to you. Rest now. If you feel well you may continue in the morning." "He ran to the stables? But he was here with me. I fell and he began to nuzzle me to make me rise... Ohh... Sultan, please don't push, that hurts... I think I shall sit for a short time. Perhaps in a few minutes I may finish the routine." "Teddi, your dedication is appreciated. Think of poor Satan. You get him up at six in the morning and don't let him go until eight at night. You both need rest." "Eight? It's eight o'clock? I didn't realise. Oh Sultan, I'm so sorry." My pains forgotten momentarily, "You have been wonderful and patient. You have earned your sugar. Come, let's return to the stable where I may clean and dry you and you have food and water. Oh... Ohhh... Perhaps I may lay down a little while." Off we went, him following me as I limp out, his head held high and feet prancing. 'Look at me, I teach young girls how to properly ride for an event and rescue them when they fall.' I lead him back to his stall and attempt to remove the saddle and blanket but do not have the strength to release the cinch. "Oh, that really hurts." Mother arrives with two grooms and tells me to come with her as they will finish. I give Sultan his sugar cubes and apologize to him once more. "They will be certain to feed him? Should I clean the saddle, it will not take long." "No, Teddi. Come back to the Villa and have your supper. We must be certain you have not been seriously hurt and you need rest." "But Mother, I'm not the least sleepy, I just hurt. I, Ohh..." She smiles, "You need rest daughter, come with me. I will see you receive a good hot meal. Satan will be well cared for by the grooms." I give in, saying good night to Sultan, then Mother and I ride back in the car she and Jerry had used to quickly reach the stables. "Where is Jerry?" "He has gone to see the photographer." "Why did that man come to take pictures just then. He could have taken them in the daylight and then he would not have needed the flash. That is what frightened Sultan. I could also have gone outside where he would have more light." "Teddi, listen to me. Did Satan kick the photographer or did you see the man hit his head?" "No, he just took pictures and as Sultan bucked me off, the photographer ran. Then I fell to the ground. I tried to tell him he was frightening Sultan but he wouldn't stop. The next thing I remember Sultan was nuzzling me trying to make me rise again." Mother and I speak together for a few minutes before Jerry returns. Taking her aside they converse in Italian. He then remains with me as Mother goes out to see what is delaying my meal, returning with one of the kitchen boys who has a tray full of dishes. As I attempt to eat a good meal, Jerry continues to sit with me as he nibbles on this and that from my plate staring at me all the while. It is as though he is afraid I shall vanish in a puff of smoke if he looks away.

We shall have plenty of opportunity to see more of each other, at least until October, because the work I will be doing is closely associated with the department which he commands. I was surprised to learn that presently there are twenty employees in the department which eventually I shall supervise. Random testing of the manufactured firearms, cleaning and maintenance recommendations, training, and special weapons configurations, and weapon restoration; all are part and parcel of the department. It is not a simple 'give her something to do' position. It is important and requires intense dedication to detail. How will I ever find the time to go to the States for my surgery? I have only enough medication to last six weeks and by then I must return. "Ohh..." Now that I try to rise from the chair I am finding I have a number of sore spots. I must have landed on my head, flopped onto my back and then my derriere. The pressure in my head is terrible. It is very difficult to focus on Jerry. Things further away are all right but close isdifficult. I am very sleepy. Jerry continues to poke at metelling me to eat but I am not all that hungry, just tired. When mother returns they speak again (Italian- I must learn this language so I may understand also). Jerry must be worried about me because he has convinced mother to allow him to sleep in a chair near my bed. Mother thinks it is a wise precaution and will have someone come in each hour to check also. It is nice having him near and we hold hands as a drift into sleep.

Sunday, for me, was much like Saturday (without the photographer). Painful, but I don't believe anything is broken. Jerry was gone when I awakened. My day is starting very late. I am surprised no one came to waken me as I normally am up at five and it is now nearly eight. I have lost most of my morning training time. Riding this morning has been exceptionally difficult. I finally cut it short as I begin to have difficulty breathing. This gives me an hour or more of free time to spend with Jerry. We decide to go on a long walk around the grounds so I hurry (limp) upstairs to change my boots for flats that I might walk more easily on difficult terrain. When we talk, we cover a multitude of subjects. When we are quiet, hand-in-hand, we cover a multitude of subjects. It is nice knowing that this tall, handsome, strong man will be my husband and that we shall work and play and love together throughout time eternal. Whenever he holds me in his arms I feel protected, loved, important, needed, I cannot put all the feelings into words. This short time together more than makes up for the past insanity which now seems so long ago. While he is studying at Cambridge, he will not have much time for us to be together and I will fly in every second or third weekend taking a Suite where I may stay Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights so we shall be together over a weekend. As we begin to walk back to the house I broach the subject of needing to return to the States. "I must have my operation, my darling Jerry. I must have time to heal from the surgeries before we are married." "These past weeks have been such that I had forgotten your 'deformity' my love. Will it be safe for you? Could it be done here in Italy or elsewhere in Europe? I would stay with you as long as I was allowed and visit you every day until school. Please say 'Yes.' that we might find someone here who may safely perform this operation for us." "I love you, but I feel safe with Dr. Neber. I don't know that I would feel as safe over here but if you wish, we may look for a doctor." "Teddi, I wish to protect you more than anyone I have ever known. I did not know love could be like this. It is very important to me that you are safe, and close, and that we will be together for the rest of our lives. I have grown to love you. The smell of your hair, your perfume, the touch of your hand in mine. Knowing you will be there caring about me should I need comforting. Your willingness to have our children, your intelligence. Yes, most certainly your intelligence. Your trust of me when I am not near. You are remarkable. Truly a Princess... my Princess. Please, Your Highness, may I have just a small kiss?" I turn to him and standing on my toes place my arms around his neck, kissing him long and lingering. The light breeze blowing my hair around us and bringing the scent of flowers wafting past. A shaft of sunlight manages to find it's way down between the branches of the trees just then, warming us as we kiss. Years of joy come into being during that short moment. A promise of future love to come. We stand there for several minutes more, happy just to be holding each other, looking out over the Estate before turning and going back to the great house. Following behind us are two bodyguards, so distant that we have been able to forget they exist and for a short while are the only two people in the world. We return to the Villa to find a gentleman waiting with Catherine. He is a doctor and will examine me to verify I am well. After his inspection, which requires nearly an hour, he speaks with Catherine and gives me more pills to consume. Charles notifies everyone it is luncheon and the doctor is invited to the meal. I still do not feel much like eating and simply nibble a little of this and that. Suddenly I am quite sick. I'm afraid I have made quite a mess. I apologize to everyone and depart for my room with Jerry following. Just now my bed looks like the most wonderful... I do not remember much about the rest of the day but awaken at five Monday morning. Jerry tells me when I reached the bed, I simply collapsed on the floor next to the bed, then Mother and the doctor put me to bed.

Wednesday Evening.

I have been remise. I have not made entries into my diary since Sunday. My days have been busy, riding practice, riding practice, surprise practice, unfortunately only for short periods although I am improving. Additionally there is firearms practice Monday - Wednesday, and soon also Friday - Saturday at the Villa range with all manner of handguns (we will be adding rifle and shotgun training at another location). Training in paperwork and lessons in Italian so I may work at the factory. (I must read Italian paperwork and speak with Italian workers). Monday, Giorani escorts me to an office in Milan where we register me to my three7mm pistols, two 9mm (fully automatic) machine-pistols and obtain a permit for me to carry, conceal, and demonstrate any handgun, shotgun, or breech- loading rifle; using partial, full or specialized ammunition loads. The permit to train others is obtained separately, as is the permit for fully or partially automatic rifles. I need more training to pass the exams for those two permits which renew yearly. Today, when we return I discover my new riding clothes have arrived while we were out, as has my first saddle. I immediately inspect it and begin to soap and oil the leather such that it will be more protected and become a little more pliable. My aches and pains are beginning to subside, I don't like the pills, they make me very nauseous. Tomorrow I shall have my new saddle and clothes.

For the first time I wear my new riding clothes and use the new saddle. Sultan likes me better in my culottes, but I cannot wear them in a competition. He is very funny, whenever I am walking just ahead of him he will gently push my back with his nose as he follows me. He nearly knocked me down the first time he did it, and he has never done this prior to my wearing these new clothes. I asked Mr. Johnson (the Trainer) if he would quiz me but he does not have the time today. Tomorrow, I go with Mother to England and we do not return until late Friday or early Saturday. I ask if we might do it Monday next and he says he shall work it into his schedule for Monday and let me know the time. I must stop my entries now and pack. Mother was just here and says we must have our clothes packed and ready so they may be taken to the airstrip first thing in the morning. We will fly out at five and go directly to London. I tell her this is marvelous because we might obtain my new gowns which may possibly be finished by the time we are in England. She tells me to bring my receipt and we shall call the clothier to learn if they shall be ready by Friday afternoon. I will telephone him once we are in London. I am taking mostly pantsuits and culottes, but I also will have one skirt, one dress, and my new white satin gown. The emeralds, of course, and the tiara which Catherine brought to me once more when she arrived to tell me to pack. The jewelry will go into a special drawer at the bottom of my cosmetics case. Giorani tells me this case will withstand a tank driving over it. I don't believe I will put it to that test as I do prefer my jewelry to remain intact. Upon arrival in London we shall first go to our hotel, then on to Cross Headquarters. Afterward we shall return to the hotel to change once more for the dinner. Hotel arrangements have been completed some time past. Friday also, we shall be attending another luncheon where there will be more speeches. "Teddi, pardon me once again, but would you wear the tiara all day each day? There shall be other royalty appearing at these fund-raisers and it would seem a little out of the ordinary for you not to be wearing any sign of your station." "I will Mother, however if asked, of what country am I a princess? The United States has no official royalty." "I am even now awaiting the answer tothat question. It has been given considerable consideration." I feel so badly about deceiving people, and tell her of this. I hope once Jerry and I are married that this may cease. "Teddi most of our lives are spent in a deception of one sort or another, this is no worse than some and considerably better than most." I think about that for several hours. It is true, most of this happiest period of my life has been nothing but one large deception with the only exception being the possibility of my providing children to my husband. Isn't it strange I already think of Jerry as 'my husband,' it's a wonderful feeling. I remove the tiara from the case and place it on the dressing table such that I may fasten it upon my head after I dress tomorrow morning. Continuing to pack until my cases are ready I then select tomorrow's travel clothing remembering I must appear regal. This also has affected my selections which I have packed.

The next morning I awaken early and begin preparationsfor departure. My clothing cases are removed while I am in the bath and only the cosmetic/jewelry case remains at my dressing table. I close it after my preparations and have only to place the tiara when Mother arrives: "Good morning Teddi. Are you ready to travel?" "Yes Mother, I have only to place the tiara and shall be out immediately." "Excellent daughter, I shall have them prepare you a roll and thermos of milk so you may eat on the 'plane'. As soon as you are ready, bring your case down with you and we shall depart." In just a minute or two, I walk downstairs where I hand my case to Charles who in turn gives it to someone to take outside to the car. Mother and I then ride to the airstrip where the aircraft awaits. This time it is a small jet rather than the propeller craft we have ridden locally in Italy. I again ask about the question of my 'royal' background and Catherine still has not given me an answer. "I will provide you with all you will need to know shortly after we reach our hotel. As we have a little time during the flight, perhaps it would be best if you spend it in preparation for your eventing. Here! You may review the techniques used in the following elements." I spend the flight deep in thought and study as to the techniques necessary to smoothly achieve my presentations while control remains imperceptible to those observing. Catherine spends most of this time in thought also. I think this is "busy" work to keep me occupied; however, I do need the review. We finally arrive in England she turns to me and says: "Daughter, I shall place a few telephone calls from the hotel to determine if the answers shall be soon forthcoming. Mind you however, once this may be accomplished you must remain from this time forward royalty and, therefore, must comply with all that title may dictate." "Mother if you will teach me, and I may still marry Jerry, then I shall do whatever you say. I just wish I was not missing these two days of practice. I badly need them in order to place first since I have lost so much time due to the accident." That silver peal of laughter comes from her once again as she hugs me (gently), "A Mother never had a daughter so willing to please and help. Teddi you are a treasure to me."

Fund-raising is tiring work. We have been on the go nearly since we arrive. We travel with a group of nearly fifty into some of what appear to be the poorer parts of the city. Additionally, we have visited and contributed to a number of noteworthy charities. Catherine always tells me in advance the amounts I am to contribute and we have both given generously to help fund the cross and their work. During the short time we had been at our hotel, Catherine made a number of telephone calls and I place one to the clothier. My gowns unfortunately will not be completed until sometime late next week. They continue to apologize to me even after I tell them that I had not expected them to be ready so soon, I simply happen to be passing through London and thought I might check. Now the really frightening news. I am now a Princess in truth. The account shall be that I had spent a vacation with one of my girlfriends from the European schools I had been attending and she happened to be a daughter of an old royal European house. We spent the next several years together at school or at her home (during summer recess) until my parents died in the accident (after hearing more about their deaths, I think it was murder). Once they died I had no further funds to continue schooling so my friend's parents paid for my continued education as they felt I was a good influence upon their daughter. When she took ill of influenza, I continued to aid her in her studies, they 'adopted' me and that is how I obtained the title of 'Princess', albeit one bestowed upon me rather than one of heredity. Upon completing my schooling I desired to return to the States and they provided me with some funding to assist me until I might secure employment and provide for myself. I have always yearned to return to Europe and visit my foster family. Anyway it makes a beautiful story, I wish it were true.

I have met the Queen!

Imagine, me meeting the Queen. The Queen of England that is. I curtsey, of course, her Royal Majesty most assuredly outranks a mere Princess. She is very nice, and almost immediately has me standing once again while holding my hands as we speak for a brief moment before she moves on. Poor Catherine remains curtsied as do the others around me until Her Majesty moves on. I become very embarrassed, Catherine is thrilled: "She recognized your Title, Teddi. She has taken for us a great step in the acceptance by the British Royal Community of your status." "But how could she know? How could she pick me out of the crowd as being Royalty?" "That is what her advisors are for. If She had not recognized you as Royalty then the risk of snubbing some other Royal House would exist. It was far more expedient to simply ask you to rise quickly and chat with you for a few seconds. Besides, how many others do you see wearing a tiara and projecting a Regal manner?" "Catherine! All I am doing is being myself, I am not 'projecting a regal manner'," I say the last in a deep forcefully accented tone, "And neither did she, she simply seemed a very nice lady who is the Queen." "Not exactly, Teddi, not exactly. Some day, perhaps, you may understand why it is you are so easily accepted as the Princess you are." I shall never understand this Royalty matter. It seems to me that just because one treats others as one wishes to be treated then one must be royalty. I hate to think how everyone must treat each other otherwise. Catherine has decided we definitely shall attend the dinner function (too early to be supper) and ball this evening. We help each other as we dress and then she coaches me as to proper etiquette for a Princess. It is not necessary that I dance with anyone and that may be enforced by the presence of a family bodyguard who shall accompany me. He is wearing a coat and tails but still carries a hidden 'armory', but then again so do I. The only part of this which I do not care about is the possibility that I may be separated from Catherine and be seated at the Royal table. Catherine, however, seems to have expected all this, although I most certainly did not. I don't understand why "we" may not sit with everyone else.

Mother is quite correct. Those nameless persons who planned the Dinner have seated all the 'Royals' together. One assassin could kill us all. I protest on the basis I have been successfully targeted once and do not desire to be in a position where it shall be easy for another attempt to be perpetrated upon my life not to mention other Royalty who may also be present. I suppose this has been communicated to the Queen for several of her 'Yard' or 'Guard' were dispatched to 'request' I accompany them to an audience with 'Her Majesty, the Queen'. That's the Scotland Yard or Royal Guard. Our bodyguard remains with Catherine who merely smiles and whispers to me, "Just be yourself, Teddi. She will be as captivated as are we. Do not forget to curtsey, she does outrank you, you know." "Thank-you Catherine, I shall do my best, although this is a little frightening to me." "You shall be fine, daughter. Go, go, go." She waves me away into the protection of these gentlemen. By the time we reach the room where I am to meet Her Majesty, I am a nervous wreck. Tears are choking up behind my eyes and there is a lump in my throat. I feel more like a condemned prisoner than a princess. Of course everyone, simply everyone, is staring and murmuring as I pass by, surrounded by the 'Yard' or 'Guard'. Few notice the tiara and actually curtsey or bow to me as we walk past. Presently, I am shown into an empty room as everyone else retreats outside like guards at a prison. Now, even more so, I feel like a condemned convict. It is several minutes before the door is once again opened and the Queen enters. I suppose the woman accompanying her is a royal princess. I curtsey deeply and am rewarded with an immediate order to rise. "What is this I hear that you will not sit with us, my dear? Are we not good enough for you?" "OH NO, it isn't that at all, Your Majesty. If anything I am not good enough for you. I,.." Where to begin?.. "May I explain?" "Please do. Come, we are all equals here, let us sit. I had hoped the two of you might sit at our table together, for you are about the same age and may enjoy each others company. I see you wear an engagement ring. Who is the lucky man?" "He is a young man I met while in the United States, Your Majesty. He is of the Aldoennetti family." "I see." She says rather coolly: "You say you have an explanation?" "Yes, Your Majesty."

I relate the frightening experience perpetrated upon me in Sacramento which has caused me now to view everything around me much differently. I also relate the way in which I had become a 'Princess' and that my title has not been hereditary, making it more of a title by decree rather than fact. "So, you are the one we have heard about" She states. Startled I answer quietly: "Heard about? I suppose that may be so, Your Majesty," "What did the 'Press' call you? Let me see..." She used the word 'Press' as though it were a sour fruit one should spit upon the ground. "Oh yes, the 'Warrior Queen'. I must say, it conjures up visions of some old crone who's muscle structure would bring envy to the heart of any man." I begin laughing as does the princess, then the queen joins us. "My dear, you are quite safe here. If it will please you, I shall have our tables searched once again and we shall bring the Royal Guard to stand around about us. Now I must go and attend to other matters. Margaret shall remain here and the two of you may gossip. I will send for you both when we are to be seated." I rise with her and begin to curtsey once again as she is turning to leave. "Here now, no more of that. You have 'our' permission to remain standing in our presence" with that she is out the door. Margaret is somewhat older than I. I suppose when one is in their thirties, the early and late teens seem to be 'about the same age', or perhaps, the queen is far more perceptive than many others have been.

"Is it true that which I read? You shot your attacker?" "Yes, I shot him twice even as he shot me. Fortunately I was a much better shot than he, for I am still alive." "He actually shot you? Did it hurt much?" "It was not a serious wound, barely a scratch. It was just deep enough to draw a great deal of blood and ruin my gown. I was so nervous at the time that I did not feel it. Although for a few days afterward it gave me considerable difficulty and continued to open and bleed. Now as you may see, it is simply a shallow scar upon my side and upper arm. Hardly noticeable. But here, what of yourself. Do you have a boyfriend?" "Me?" she asks, "Oh no, not yet. Besides, mother would never approve unless he were someone selected as appropriate." "I see", I say, "then perhaps I am fortunate that I may pick and choose with my heart rather than my pedigree. Sometimes it is difficult to be a royal princess." "Yes," she replies, "There is so much I must do and may not do. There are times when I wish I could go out without anyone knowing who I might be and just be a young woman without a title simply to feel the freedom." "Perhaps, if my hosts the Aldoennettii and Her Majesty both approve, we may bring you to their Estate for a week. You may go riding with me, and we might go into town with Catherine or possibly to target practice. You could have a little freedom to simply be a young woman." "Really? Would you really ask them?" "Yes I shall. And if they both say yes, then we may plan for your escape for a week. If it goes well, perhaps we will be allowed to do it again." "Oh, thank- you!" She hugs me and I may see in her eyes she is already planning her escape. Even as we have said these last few words the door opens and a gentleman enters giving us a short momentary bow while saying: "Your Highness, Princess... Her Majesty is ready for you to accompany her to her table."

We put on our regal faces (smile as though we haven't a care in the world) and out we go. I hope Catherine is not upset with me, I had planned on remaining with her. We join with the Queen's entourage, mostly 'guard' and are off through the halls to finally approach the grand room where the banquet shall be held. As we enter - The Queen, Princess, and myself - the announcement is made and a hush comes over the assemblage. We walk to our table where first the Queen is seated and then ourselves. True to her word, we have 'Yard' and 'Guard' hovering around us in the background and I would imagine outside and on the other floors and nearby rooms simply because I am still frightened.

The meal is absolutely "Sterling" (one should think so for five thousand pounds - don't you know) and goes well. It is not long after the meal and a few speeches that we three depart for that antechamber where first we met and, once there and in 'private', I ask if Margaret might possibly be my guest at the Estate should I be successful in obtaining the cooperation of the Aldoennetti family? I explain that Catherine and I shall be returning tomorrow in the family aircraft which has more than ample space to allow Margaret and her clothing to accompany us. The Queen does not seem overly pleased but says she shall take the matter under advisement and, having another function she must attend, will make a decision at a later time. She does allow Margaret to remain in my company (and that of the 'Guard') for the remainder of the evening. "Here now. We have an opportunity for you to be 'simply a young girl'. Let us go out, find Catherine and socialize for a short while. Should we succeed we may find people who do not immediately recognize us and perhaps will not bow or curtsey. Then once we are all conversing the thought will not trouble them again. The big secret to socializing successfully is to be unobtrusive and to simply treat everyone well. However to be unobtrusive, I am afraid we must not be accompanied by the 'Yard' and 'Guard'." As I say this, Margaret breaks out in laughter. I continue: "They simply bring too much unwanted attention. When I first met the Queen, no one had realised I was Royalty until she called it to their attention. Do you wish to try?" "Oh Yes. It is safe here, and the 'Yard and Guard',.." she laughs again; "the 'Yard and Guard' should not be too upset if they do not directly accompany us." "Then come, let us speak with them and go out to meet the people." Obviously with The Queen off elsewhere, we were the two royals who command the scene. More certainly Margaret as she is a Princess of the correct house. They were not happy but conceded that little could happen as there is a great deal of protection here. I say to the gentleman before us; "What are the odds someone will attempt my life once more, having learned that the 'Warrior Queen' has fangs and bites back." They look at me in puzzlement at first but then one of them looks at me once again as if comparing me to an image in his mind. "You!" he says, "You are the one who shot her assailant and escaped an assassination attempt with only minor wounds." "You would not have thought them so minor had you required the bleeding to cease to prevent ruining your suit as I did my gown. But, yes you are correct. I may easily prove this, for here are the fresh scars of that incident and Catherine Aldoennetti is in the assemblage with a bodyguard who may also confirm this is true for he was there and witnessed the event." "Are you armed presently, Princess?" asks the gentleman who appears to be in charge of the others. "But of course. Are you not?" He is momentarily flustered and then replies; "Her Majesties Royal Guard do not require firearms, nor do we ascribe to the cowboy mentality of the Colonies where anyone may obtain a firearm, Your Highness." "All things being equal, I am rather glad I was armed the day the assassin attacked me. Had I not had a weapon, I would now be dead. Have you ever been shot?" " Yes, Your Highness. I have been shot twice. It was not an experience I would care to repeat." "Nor would I. For this reason I shall always be armed for my own protection. May we or may we not go out unescorted into the Banquet Room and perhaps the Ball Room with everyone else?" "I cannot permit that, Your Highness." "I see. Then as you have no authority over me, I shall go out unescorted thank-you. And the people shall learn that their royalty is so frightened of them that they will not appear in a public place without immediate escort." "Your Highness, please. I... please just a moment." He goes out and returns in just a few minutes. "Your Highness, Princess. You may go out but we require two members of the Royal Guard to accompany each of you. They will not interfere with you but will be close. And yes, Your Highness, they will be armed." "What weapon will they be carrying, may I ask?" "Are you familiar with firearm... Excuse me Your Highness. They will be carrying .38 calibre Webley's." "Five or six shot?" "Six, Your Highness." "I see. That means that four men each with six shots available may produce a hail of bullets up to 24 in total." I suddenly produce one of my automatics, "And I have the ability to produce 50 more myself. I may hit accurately a seven centimeter grouping at 75 meters, thirty-five centimeters if the person is running. I believe if your personnel are as capable we are quite well protected. Don't you?" As he stares at the automatic in my hand and the ease with which it had appeared there, his face pales slightly. "However, I believe your security is not what I would expect. I have carried this on my person all evening and had I been an assassin you would no longer have a queen nor a princess. Are your personnel as accurate with their weapons?" "No, Your Highness. We do not have much need for the firearms and as a result are not as well trained." "I am licensed for many kinds of weapons. Soon I shall also be licensed with the European body to train personnel in the use of such weapons. I would highly suggest your department seriously consider the use of semi-automatic pistols despite the possibility of jamming. As you may see, I carry two myself." As I calmly produce a second automatic and stand before him holding both. He blinks. "I grant you I am not as accurate with my left hand as I am with my right. However, should anyone come within fifteen meters with intent to do harm, they are as good as dead." "Your Highness..." was all he said. I deftly pocket the two automatics once more and turn toward a rather pale Margaret. "Oh! I'm sorry, Margaret. I didn't mean to upset you, rather I wish you to know that with the four men to protect us and my own armory, you shall be quite safe. Come let us 'mingle' and be the young women we are." She laughs quietly and we walk out together past a rather upset member of the Royal Guard.

Everyone is still seated, listening to various speeches as we enter from a side corridor. We remain just to the outside of the assemblage and begin to work our way around toward the table where I had last known Catherine would be seated, the 'Yard' trailing about three meters behind us. Hardly unobtrusive. I had thought I was at the correct table, but do not see Catherine there nor at the tables nearby... We exit into the hallway once more and I ask our escorts if they happen to know where we may locate one of the event coordinators that I may speak with the individual. I also ask that one of them call the hotel to see if Catherine has perhaps returned there for some reason. We finally locate a member of the Red Cross organization who may obtain the seating information quickly. I ask they check to determine if perhaps the planners have reseated Catherine and after some checking they inform us that is indeed what they have done. Once learning she arrived in the company of royalty they moved her much closer to the royal table. The organizer asks: "May we give her a message you are here, Miss?" "Princess Margaret of England and Princess Teddi. I am the one who accompanied her to the event." "Your Highness," she pales noticeably and curtseys, "I'm so sorry I did not recognize either of you." "Please, enough. Rise, we are all ladies are we not? Margaret and I merely wish to socialize with everyone without all the 'pomp and circumstance'. It should be much easier for us if you would simply forget we are royalty for the remainder of the evening." She looks at me with the most amusing expression upon her face. One of horror, relief, confusion... most entertaining, and Margaret finds it sufficiently amusing to smile, her eyes betraying her amusement. "The speeches are ending and everyone will go on to the Ballroom shortly, Your Highness. They will be coming out into the hallway before continuing on to the Ballroom. Once the speeches end you may enter and go to her table if you wish. Should you desire, I shall have a message sent to Signora Aldoennetti that you shall meet her at her table? Then you may all go on together from there?" "That would be much appreciated. Which table is hers, please?" The location was disclosed to us on the seating chart allowing us to see the relationship to the raised dais where we had been seated. The message is sent ahead and less than ten minutes elapses before people begin to exit the doorways into the hallway. A few minutes later our small company passes into the great room beyond, once again to find many people conversing in small groups. We make our way to the appropriate table finding Catherine close by. "Catherine." "Your Highness." She begins to curtsey as do the others in this small gathering but I immediately take her hands and say: "Please don't do that Catherine. All of you please rise. We are traveling incognito, Margaret and I. Hopefully no one will recognize either of us and we may 'mingle'." Mother smiles with that mischievous look I have learned to recognize. "Teddi, are you now subverting the Royal House?" Several of those present begin to laugh as does Margaret who comes over saying: "Signora Aldoennetti, I'm pleased to meet you, and so glad you brought Teddi along. This would have been just another stuffy affair without her here." "Teddi, you ARE subverting this young moman. I am pleased to meet you also, your high... Oh, excuse me. I am pleased to meet you also, Margaret." Margaret's eyes are sparkling and she is smiling, her first outing with others without all the trappings and restrictions of being 'Royalty'. "Teddi, I am ashamed of you. Before I know it you will be teaching this young lady to shoot and fight like a boy." "Oh, would you, Teddi, teach me to shoot?" This brings more laughter. "Catherine!", I exclaim... "Signora Aldoennetti are you aware she is carrying two firearms? I didn't know she had any until she presented them to the 'Yard and Guard'." We both laugh at that leaving the others standing there with puzzled expressions. I explain how that phrase had come about as Catherine smiles, waving her finger at me once again. Margaret laughs aloud: "I like her, Teddi" and more quietly, "Would you ask her?" I nod my head yes, and proceed to explain to Catherine that which I have in mind. Turning to Margaret, Mother says; "Margaret, if the Queen will give permission then the Aldoennetti family would be pleased to have you as a guest. I must warn you however, Teddi is not the best influence as there is much the tom-boy in her." "Catherine!" "It is true Teddi. How many young women carry weapons or ride Dressage with combat in mind? How many Princesses do you know who would be so at ease without their regal trappings as are you?" Margaret exclaims, "You ride Dressage? I have begun to study it. Do you have a horse? Would you allow me to see it?" "Catherine, what are you doing to me?" I exclaim. "Now Teddi, if you invite a guest it means you have taken on certain responsibilities with that invitation. Margaret, yes she owns a horse. His name is Satan but she calls him Sultan and..." "Catherine, Sultan is your horse." "if you would allow me to finish, Teddi. She calls him Sultan and I have just given him to her." "Oh. Oh, Mother!" I scream, hugging her as tears flow from my eyes. "Oh he is wonderful, you shouldn't. No, it isn't fair. He is the one you have ridden to win so many trophies. I... You... " She replies, "I may give him to you if I so wish and more importantly he will allow you to ride him. You and I are the only two he has so permitted. I could not give him to anyone else for he may harm them." We begin to notice that my squeals of joy have attracted some attention from the nearby groups. A lady comes over, beginning to ask us to be a little quieter when she suddenly realises there are two princesses standing before her. Guess what she does. I take her one hand and Margaret the other, we have her rise immediately as we glance around to see if anyone else has noticed. Oh well, so much for unobtrusive. We debate about attending the ball as we will not have a moment's peace. Too many may recognize us. At least we have secured permission from Catherine to bring Margaret to the Villa for a week. With the permission of the Queen she will be able to travel to Italy. I give her our telephone numbers, both at the hotel and at the Villa, as I might not see her Friday. Actually, one of the Royal Guard writes them into a notebook. If she cannot visit then we, at least, may communicate and perhaps she may travel later. I tell her I have only recently begun to learn the elements of Eventing and Thursday next I shall be competing as a Beginner. "Yes," Catherine says, "as I as saying, Teddi rides in the Event ring as if in combat. She and the horse are one against the world. She rides as to be the envy of all who see her." "Where," Margaret asks, "will this Event be held?" "Mother?" "It shall be in Milan. The Beginners competition starts at nine that morning. The judge shall be French. I hear he scores very severely. Teddi shall be the eighth participant of twelve." "Now you know as much about it as do I, Margaret" I tell her. "I am concerned I shall not place first because today and tomorrow I am not practicing. That leaves me only Saturday through Wednesday morning. Sultan is perfect, I am a disaster." Margaret begins laughing as do some of the other ladies who have been listening. One of them ventures that should I happened to be as much a disaster as I have been this evening then I was assured of securing first place. "Thank-you for your confidence, but you have not seen me ride. I do not feel totally at one with this horse as yet and I always become nervous when I am to be tested. I just worry a lot I suppose. It comes from wanting everything to be perfect and other insecurities with which I have yet to come to terms. Thank-you very much however." "Your Highness.." "Please all of you, call me Teddi." "Teddi,.. I have ridden in the Events. I was always nervous and concerned that I would do something absurd or even fall off the horse or any of a hundred different things. Please, just ride. The horse knows the routines and commands as well, just be at ease with the reins and command him. Then the slightest touch upon the reins will tell him that which you wish. May I ask how long you have been riding?" "I first began a week and a half ago." "She means at Eventing." adds Catherine quickly. "And you are to be in a competition Thursday next? You surely do not expect to win, do you?" "Yes I hope to. I am now practicing the intermediate level and will be tested Monday. In addition, Sultan and I are able to take jumps to a meter in height. I hope by Wednesday morning to be able to successfully reach more than a meter and a half." "This I must see. Catherine where did you say this would be held? I intend to be there." As Margaret chimes in: "Oh yes. May I come to watch also, Teddi?" "If the Queen will allow it, I suppose. Catherine, have I said something inappropriate yet again?" "No Teddi, It is just that you are rapidly becoming to Eventing what is known as a shooting star. You are an exceptional young woman. You are successful in many areas of which only one happens to be Eventing. You have many talents and will become well known throughout Europe." "I understand mother, and I shall take first place in the Beginners Event, then continue to place in each of the successive Events until finally I will allow everyone to see that which it is about!" "Bravo Teddi. Come, I believe we have a ball to attend." We say our good-byes to Margaret and give her into the care of the 'Guard'. As we begin to converse with some of the other ladies we walk down to the ballroom. Eventually a young man asks me to dance and as I am declining Mother says; "Go on Teddi, I am certain Jerry will understand it is only to dance." With her saying that how may I decline the invitation. Panic in my stomach, I walk out onto the floor with this young man and begin to waltz with the other couples. After dancing for nearly an hour without completing a single dance, due to repeated interruptions by young men who 'cut' in, I retire back to Mother and the other ladies.

I am so thankful I purchased these new gowns, they are most convenient. Somehow everyone who speaks with me recognizes they have been manufactured in Italy. I cannot imagine the manner by which they are able to discern this. I suppose this helps me to look more Italian, and it is probably the reason several persons have told me I speak English well. I simply thank them and go on as though nothing has happened. Eventually another young man asks me to dance and while on the ballroom floor discovers one of the magazines in its pouches just to the side of the small of my back. He had his hand at the small of my back and began to slowly move it to one side encountering the objects which one would not usually find in a gown. He has been dancing very close and it is difficult for me to follow his lead. When he finds the magazines he begins to explore, actually managing to remove one. He abruptly stops dancing when he sees what it is he is holding. I produce the matching automatic and request he return my spare ammunition. As he looks down upon the pistol, his face turns quite pale and he says to me: "Do you know who I am?" "I do not care to know who you are, you are trifling with a Princess of a Royal House and a guest of the Queen of England. Now if you don't mind." return my ammunition, now! I did not quite shout the thought at him but he developed a nosebleed non-the-less. Stunned he hands me the magazine and holds a kerchief to his nose. "Now do you care to tell me who you are, or will you simply leave this place?" He turns and nearly falls over another couple in his haste to depart. Returning to Catherine, I tell her: "I seem to have exhausted my welcome." She completes her business with the ladies and we depart for the hotel with our bodyguard. Friday we have no contact from the Royal House nor from Margaret. Perhaps after last night's fiasco where I almost literally waved two semi-automatic weapons under the nose of an officer of the Royal Guard, the Queen now felt I was not a 'proper' influence for Margaret and forbade her to join us. I suppose it is for the best as I could not have spent much time with her, having such a hectic schedule as I do presently.

Catherine and I somehow manage to make it through the day, returning to the hotel late Friday just in time for supper. Afterward we freshen up in the suite, pack and check out. Everything is taken to the aircraft and we begin the return to Italy. I tell Catherine I am sorry Margaret has not been permitted to go with us, but perhaps it is for the best as I do not have much time of my own at the moment to spend with her. Catherine is sorry also. She felt it had been a great opportunity for the Aldoennetti family to become further acquainted with English Royalty and perhaps mend some of the fences between England and Italy which were destroyed only a decade or two ago. "I am sorry for Margaret more than anyone else." I explain, "She is the one who needed the opportunity to just be a young girl who is not expected to act regally or represent the Royal House to anyone. We could have taken her riding, allowed her to accompany us to the opera or a stage show, go shopping for the supplies for the Villa much as you allow me to go with you. It is training, of course, but it is such that it is enjoyable rather than mandatory. One always learns more quickly when something is fun." "Teddi, you understand." "Yes Mother, I think so. However it does not stop the heartache." "I know daughter, I know."

We both sit silently for a while as the plane continues along the path toward home. "Mother?" "Yes Teddi?" "Am I unique to the Eventing? Does it come too easily to me and while I think I am doing very poorly I am advancing so rapidly as to be unbelievable to others?" "Daughter, you are much like myself. You and I are both shooting stars. I was so bright, that for me it was all over in a year. Although I moved to newer more exciting things, I continued to participate in Equestrian Pursuits and collected those many awards. I see in you, much the same. You are advancing so rapidly that no one starting now or in the past may pace you. If you prove to be as good at the Events as have I, you will tire of it in a few months and simply go on until you have taken all the first place trophies available then the luster will be gone. The chance exists that you shall meet someone better and not take first place. But eventually no one shall better you." "Where is the joy then, Mother? If I already know I shall be the best there is, then how do I find enjoyment from the accomplishments?" "Teddi, one never knows one shall be the best until one IS the best. Even then, eventually there shall be someone better. I could not compete now and win. It is not because I have not practiced for several years. It is because someone else has come along who is more talented and hears the music more clearly than I. It is my hope that you hear the music more clearly and may bring more awards to the family. Do I make myself understood or perhaps you do not hear the music?" "I hear it Mother. I hear it most clearly. Some day I hope to indicate to you just how clearly I am hearing it. For the moment all I want is to secure first place and to reveal to you that I care about the legacy you have begun and I hope to continue. If I am fortunate, I shall do so for several years and perhaps give you a granddaughter who will also hear the music..." I break off for as I am speaking, tears begin to flow from Catherine's eyes. I move over to be near her, finally holding her close as we both break into tears. "Mother, I desire so deeply to be a good daughter. I want to be a good wife to Jerry. I am not participating in the Events, shooting and learning to work with the company because I think it will please all of you. I am doing it because I respect all of you, I hope to properly respect your traditions, your heritage, your desires. I will not change who I am, but I will try to be someone who cares as deeply as do all of you." "Thank-you Teddi... I have prayed for many years for someone like you to come into the lives of our sons. I am glad you have come into Jerry's, and ours. Here, I must cleanse my face of these tears. It would be unseemly of me... us to allow others to see how easily we cry." "Mother, are we not women? Women are expected to be more emotional than men." "Not, Teddi, an Aldoennetti. We are to be a part of the foundation, upon which the rest of Italy may construct it's heritage. Placing first in the Events against international competitors will bring more than the first place ribbon to the Aldoennetti family, it will bring renown for Italy as well, especially as you are riding an Andalusian purchased from Spain. We are ambassadors for Italy, you are an ambassador for Italy, you have done well these last two days toward mending the bridges between England and our country. Perhaps if the Queen will permit Margaret to visit, we may go even further toward the mending." "Mother, a young woman is a young woman, I don't care what country happens to be her origin. I understand that most people do not think as do I. I will not change who I am to fit their mold. I am a woman before I am a Princess. I am of this world before I am of this country. I shall not change, for I hear the melody of the world playing to me and the songs of each country are but harmony. I feel the sorrow in the melody for the discord of the many countries. If I could, I would mend every bridge and every harmony to establish a joyous orchestration from the entirety. Equestrian Events are but one instrument in each of those harmonies. I shall show the world from it first, before I begin to bring more of the instruments together. Does this disturb you, Mother?" "No daughter, it tells me you do indeed hear the music and perhaps we may make a difference now that we are two. Where one travails, two may conquer. With two, soon there may be four, with four then even more. There may, at last, be a harmony-of-nations of sufficient greatness to remove the sorrow from the melody."

Saturday and Sunday find me spending nearly the entire day each day at riding practice. Mr. Johnson has written a message for me on the chalk board at the training arena. It says simply that he shall judge my Performance Monday morning at eight in the arena. I am working poor Sultan very hard these days and he has only a short break between the morning and afternoon practice each day. However, I reward him at each session with the sugar cubes of which he is so fond, as well as small slices of apple or carrot. By Sunday evening we have also practiced our 'surprise' for Mother such that we may present it moderately well. In addition to eight minutes, fifty-one seconds excerpted from Rossini's William Tell Overture, we have found a shorter piece (4:44) by Tchaikovsky, the Polonaise from Eugene Onegin. Sultan and I work on a demonstration of techniques which seem more a dance when fitted to this selection. We finish our practice earlier than usual Sunday and I walk him back to his stall about six that evening. Drying him well and giving him extra sugar cubes (I know, but he has earned them). By the time I have completed his rubdown and brushing, then cleaned the saddle once again, it is nearly eight o'clock. I return to his stall to say goodnight, climbing up on the side as he comes closer to me. "Goodnight, you wonderful fellow. Tomorrow we shall be quizzed by Mr. Johnson and Tuesday or Wednesday we shall also show Mother the surprises. I need to talk with Jerry so he may be there also." I hug him, "See you in the morning, Sultan." He nuzzles me and moves back to the center of his stall. I find Jerry in the study with his father and Alphonso. Walking in quietly as they pause for a moment, "I'm sorry to interrupt Signore, I would just like to let Jerry know I need to speak with him when he has a few minutes. Thank-you." I blow a kiss to Jerry who snatches it from the air and pockets it. "I shall save that one for later, when I am in England and need cheering." I smile and blow him another as I walk out of the room. The Signore smiles throughout our entire performance.

Jerry locates me about an hour later. I am up in my room wearing my negligee and nightrobe as I brush my hair, the landing door ajar so he will know he may knock and enter. "Jerry, please come in and have a seat. I must finish and then will be right with you." "Do not hurry because of me, I am always very happy to sit and watch a beautiful girl, most especially if she is you." He says the nicest things. In minutes I finish and put my brush and comb away in their case. Crossing the room, I lean down and kiss him, then go to another chair and sit that we may talk. "Jerry, I have completed the preparations for Rossini and am nearly ready with Tchaikovsky. Would you be able to be present sometime Tuesday or perhaps Wednesday morning? I hope to show her one of those two days." "YES, I shall be here all day Tuesday as that is her birthday, PaPa, Alphonso, and Sophia shall be here also. I will co-ordinate a time with them so we may surprise her." "Wonderful! I will be up early and out practicing by six as though I am completely unaware it is her birthday. I could arrange for her to judge my Practice at nine and instead perhaps if you could arrive a little before that you might prepare and then play the tape we may surprise her?" "Excellent, my love. Teddi you are very good at conspiracy, I shall go now to make the arraignments. Good night, my love." "Goodnight, my husband." I didn't intend to cause him to cry. I see tears come to his eyes with my simple statement and he embraces me as though never to let me go. We kiss gently and then simply look into each others eyes for the longest time before he reluctantly releases me and exits out my landing door to continue on downstairs. I watch from my doorway as he first goes into the study, immediately out again and over to the front door and out. Sophia had told me, what seems like long ago, that Jerry was mine. She forgot to say that I am his, there may be no one else.

"Oh, morning already? I wish alarm clocks could determine when a person needs more sleep and just not go off." (be quiet you mechanical thing). This is Monday, I must dress and go riding early, for today I also go to the factory range. OH!.. and Mr. Johnson will test me today. I knew I should have prepared my clothes last night. At least I have two unsoiled outfits from which to select. Hurry, Hurry. Downstairs, pick a roll and a small glass of milk. There, now some sugar cubes and... Wait! Where is the tape of my music? Oh, No! I think it is still on the tape machine at the arena. I must hurry, if Mother finds it or Mr. Johnson or anyone and they give it to mother... I run to the stables where they are preparing Sultan for me, surprised to see me rushing in out of breath. Today I am wearing my fingernail polish and perfume and everything so Sultan will know exactly how I will smell for the competition Thursday. No surprises! We trot to the ring where I dismount long enough to go up to the tape machine. No tape. There are two on the table but I don't know if one is mine. I see Mr. Johnson over by the entrance. "Mr. Johnson,.." as he begins to look around, "Up here. Did anyone give you a tape from the machine here? I think I forgot to remove mine." He had not been given one and I don't know how to put a tape on the machine or I would check these myself. "Oh, thank-you for coming up. I had a tape with practice music on it and..." "Why do you need music for the Events?" "No, No!" I say, so excited I may barely talk, "It's a surprise for Mother's birthday tomorrow. We planned it and I have been practicing but now I've lost the music," I explain in a panic. "I see. Just a moment and I will help you check these tapes." as he picks one and begins to place it on the machine. "Just a moment now young lady and I shall have it on the machine." He plays the tape but nothing was on it. Then he says just a minute as he "turns it over". "Turn it over?" "Yes, music could be on either side. It may have come to the end of the tape and someone simply removed it without rewinding. It will be only minutes now." When he pushes play once again, there is no music. "The first fifteen seconds are blank, Mr. Johnson. Then my music begins." Thankfully in a few more seconds I hear the familiar refrain of Rossini fill the training area as he adjusts the volume a little lower. My heart not beating quite so wildly now. "All right young lady, go mount your horse and prepare for your music, I want to see this." "Do You? Will you tell me if mother may like it?" "First, I had best like it. Go on." He motions for me to go down to Sultan. As is normal I need several attempts to become seated, then Sultan and I walk to our starting position. I wave to him to indicate I am ready. In a few seconds the music begins and we start our performance. First Rossini and afterward Tchaikovsky. Mr. Johnson removes the tape bringing it down with him. He is scowling as he arrives ringside. "Young lady I don't believe that performance was very good..." My heart drops, there simply is not enough time for me to improve. "I believe it was excellent." I scream and Sultan rears striking the air a few times before dropping down again, kicking back, side-step left, side-step right. Mr. Johnson just shakes his head. "Come, since I'm here let us review your Performance. Show me..." (Drudgery). By nine I am exhausted and so is Sultan. Mr. Johnson has worked us very hard. "Remember you still need to work on those last two again. You are weak in those. I will put the patterns on the board so you may refer to them. When you finish, come back to the stables and I will have the grooms care for Satan and your saddle. This afternoon you both rest. Tuesday it begins again, and then Wednesday you both rest. Here is your tape, here on the railing, don't forget it. Good luck, young lady." "Thank-you for coming to my rescue Mr. Johnson. And thank-you also for watching the surprise." He waves as he walks toward the chalk board and out of the training arena. Eventually I have the Elements memorized correctly and ride back to the stables. The clock at the office wall displays eleven. We have been working for five long hours and I am late for my trip to the range. I wonder why Giorani has not been looking for me? I knock on the office door and a groom comes out. When he sees us, he smiles. He says something to Satan, and my, YES! My great horse turns, following the groom toward his stall as I call out 'Grazie'. I carry my tape and hurry back to the Villa, where I shower quickly (Oh yes, not all of the rooms have showers, most have only the bath) and then change for the trip to the factory. Drat, I have chipped a fingernail. This is infuriating, now I must make time to file it down so it is smooth again. After my shower and fresh clothing I take my stinky garments down to the laundry then begin to look for Catherine and Giorani. I finally stop searching, having found Charles. "Charles, do you know where Mother has gone? I cannot find her anywhere, nor am I able to locate Giorani." "She received a call from the Competition committee officials early this morning and rode into Milan to handle some matter or other. Giorani accompanied her." "Oh I see. Thank-you Charles." I said warmly. "You are quite welcome, Your Highness." "Oh please don't call me that. Here I'm just Miss or Teddi or something but please not 'Your Highness." "All right, Miss. but you must realise that if anyone other than family is present you will be called 'Your Highness'" Dejected, I say "I understand." "Shall I give this instruction to everyone, Miss?" "Would you? That would be wonderful. I had hoped we would have princess Margaret of England staying with us and if that had happened then the same instruction would be given for her also. She wants to just get away for a few days and be a young girl without being royalty." "I understand, Miss... I suppose after a few months of 'your royal highness' this and 'your royal highness' that one might have one's fill of it." "Yes! I have had my fill of it almost as soon as I begin hearing it again. Thank-you, Charles, for being so understanding." "You are quite welcome and I shall so inform the other staff." I like him, he actually understands what it is like and how embarrassing and tiring it may be.

  

chapter VIII

Determined to enjoy my mini-vacation, I proceed into the library to spend some time listening to music. "Miss," it was Charles again, "Your mother would like you to speak with her on the telephone. She is still in Milan. You may answer by pressing line 3 and picking up that receiver." he points to the instrument on the desk. "Grazie, Charles," as I go to the telephone pushing the button at the bottom with the '3' on it. "Mother?" "Your Highness," (Oh, Oh!) "how fortunate you were close. Would you be so kind as to accompany a car to the airstrip. Once there, you will be meeting four gentlemen who will be staying the rest of this week and possibly most of the next. Also, if you would, please ask Charles to arrange for their rooms and those of The Queen and Princess. Tell him they shall be staying with us beginning Wednesday. "Margaret?" "Yes, Your Highness." "For how long will they be staying?" "The Queen shall be with us for two or three nights, and Margaret will stay for a week or two, Your Highness." "Could we please dispense with the 'Your Highness' part of these conversations?" "As you wish, Teddi." "Thank-you Mother, Arrivederci." "You are welcome Teddi, Ciao." It was all I could do to manage to hold my face straight as I give Charles the wonderful news. "...and we shall have the Queen and Princess staying with us here. I presume the four gentlemen I must meet momentarily are probably of the Royal Guard. We shall need provide them rooms on either side of the Queen and Princess. If it is necessary, move me in order to provide the best accommodations for the Queen when she arrives Wednesday." "That will not be necessary, Miss. There are six perfectly adequate rooms available next to each other upstairs." "May I see them? Then I shall need a large car or two and drivers to retrieve the four gentlemen and their luggage." "This way, Miss." "Oh yes, while they are here please continue to call me Miss or Teddi rather than 'Your Highness'." "As you wish, Miss." "Charles, don't you call Jerry... 'Jerry'? As you do why cannot you call me Teddi?" "No Miss, we should not become so familiar." What may I say? I simply roll my eyes and we go on, this is a discussion I may never win. The rooms are very nice and the ones to be occupied by the Queen and Princess join to a sitting room which has it's own access to the landing. Charles calls for the cars as I quickly run (well, walk very fast) to my room to change to culottes and boots. The leg holster I place on my left leg with an automatic and two fully loaded spare magazines. The second automatic into my clutch purse with two spare magazines also. I quickly apply my spray and perfume and 'run' down to the car. Just as we depart for the airstrip I see the airplane making it's approach. Excellent timing, The cars pull up at the same time as the aircraft. My chauffeur opening my door even as the aircraft door opens also, it's engines still spinning. "Good Morning gentlemen, welcome to the Aldoennetti Estate." "Good Morning. Have I the pleasure of addressing Her Royal Highness?" "You do. However I should prefer you to address me as Miss Winchester while at the Estate. I believe we shall reserve the 'Your Highness' titles for the Queen when she arrives, If none of you has an objection?" Looking at the others he answers: "Miss Winchester it is. We are of Her Majesties Life Guard. Our first duty will be to examine the suites we are to occupy and the Villa itself. Tomorrow we shall examine the grounds and call in any reinforcements we may need. If you don't mind I think we would like to begin." "Quite all right. Are you gentlemen presently armed or will you be?" "Not at the moment, however we have brought our revolvers with us." "I see. Tomorrow is Signora Aldoennetti's Birthday. I have a special show planned in her honor which you may observe if you wish. It will require only perhaps fifteen minutes. Then I would like to take you all to the range for training in the use of these, however in the 9mm size which is closer to your .38 calibre." I produce my automatic from my clutch, remove the magazine and the bullet out of the chamber then hand the weapon to the first gentleman. "When I was in London last week the 'Guard' made a rather poor showing as they had less than half the firepower I alone was carrying. If you are to protect the Queen and Princess then I want you able to Protect the Queen and Princess. I do not wish to find it necessary to protect them and you. I shall provide you with the weapons and ammunition. They will be yours to do with as you will. Take them back to England and prove you are able to outclass any revolver. I shall see you receive cleaning kits and enough ammunition to make it worthwhile to carry the weapons. Briefly before we go to the Villa I wish to take you to the range here where we may see how well you shoot with your revolvers. Any questions?" They looked as though they had been run over by a steamroller. "No, Your Highness. By your command." "Excellent, Thank-you." I say, as I retrieve my automatic, chamber a bullet, placing the loose 'round?' into the magazine which again goes into the handle of the weapon. The luggage meanwhile has been placed into the second vehicle and we are off to the range. Once there, the gentlemen rummage through their cases eventually removing four revolvers and one box of ammunition. I ask the chauffeur to place five targets out at 10 meters if he would be so kind. After he returns I then ask each of them to place 5 shots into their respective targets. After firing all five shots they are to reload and as soon as they have completely reloaded they are to shout 'ready'. The first 'ready' shall be the signal for everyone else to stop firing or stop reloading. The chauffeur calls for us to begin and we start firing.

They are fairly fast but I have emptied 8 rounds before any of them comes close to completing five. I place another magazine in my pistol and begin to fire again as they begin to reload. A third magazine goes into my pistol and I begin once more, ceasing to fire when one man says "Ready". "All right, empty your weapons and put them away. I place mine on safe and return it to my clutch. We walk out to our targets examining them one by one left to right with mine as the last. The gentleman who had yelled 'ready' has the best grouping of the four. Five nice neat holes which fit within a three inch circle. When we finally reach my target we find just one large hole less than four centimeters across where 23 bullets have penetrated. "Good Gawd," One of the men mutters. "Now, during Her Majesties stay here will you gentlemen permit me to provide weapons for you which are capable of protecting your sovereigns life? Not to mention several hours training in the care and feeding of a semi-automatic firearm?" I had no objections. "Excellent, then it is settled. You may, of course, also carry your revolvers. Even I carry two weapons," as I draw the second still fully loaded from it's leg holster where two fully loaded magazines remain. "Oh my Gawd." "Didn't you say something like that a moment ago?" "Yes, Your Highness... Wait, you are the Royal that was at the Red Cross funds-raising dinner?" "Yes?. what of it?" "This is the Princess of whom Sir Oliver was speaking. The one that waved the two handguns in his face and fairly chewed him up and spit him out for his failure to provide adequate protection for the Royals." He relates to the others. "Your Highness, I cannot speak for the others but I would welcome any training or weapons you would care to provide me." "Here, Here." "Likewise." "Indeed." "Excellent gentlemen. Let us drive to the Villa, allow you all to settle in and you may begin your investigation while I make arraignments to provide you with weaponry, ammunition, and the means to care for it. Oh by the way, if a target is moving you may find the impact area will increase in size by no less than a factor of five. This means that a number of your bullets would not have hit your target. Come let us go." "I don't know about the rest of you, but I just had a cold shiver go up my spine. Your Highness, I'm glad you are on our side." I laugh and say, "Actually I am on The Queen and Princess' 'side'".

We ride in silence to the Villa where I turn them over to Charles' tender care after I ask him to reach Jerry for me. A minute later he hands me the telephone and I begin to explain to Jerry what is happening and that which I wish to do. He is excited saying he shall speak with his father immediately and call me back as soon as possible. About thirty minutes later his call comes through. His father and I discuss exactly what it is I have in mind. I have requested five 9mm semi-automatic firearms each with a shoulder holster and three magazines. Two fully automatic machine pistols firing the same ammunition, each with three magazines. Seven cleaning kits appropriate to the particular weapons and 2000 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Jerry and Alphonse will bring this weaponry to the Villa this evening where I may test it at the range, clean and lubricate it all and prepare the presentation boxes. My first official capacity with the company will begin tomorrow at the Estate's range with Signore Aldoennetti, Jerry and four 'Guard' present. I am promoting the companies wares in a very new approach. By giving away four free samples which, of course, will find their way into the hands of a number of the 'Yard' and 'Guard' for trial purposes plus one more 'free' sample for Sir Oliver I will effectively have five ambassadors demonstrating our product to the English Civil authority. The fully automatic weapons are for demonstration and immediate protection only and will be returned to the factory after Her Highness has come and gone. I am very glad I have had practice with the fully automatic 9mm weapons as I intend to demonstrate them to the purpose of totally overloading these impressionable minds. I begin to relax a little, having successfully convinced the Signore this could be a valuable contact to Her Majesties Government. Besides, the value of the weapons and ammunition are less than the cost in time and airfare to present a demonstration, even in England, and we would be sending four ambassadors of our wares to demonstrate with our minimal investment, therefore, principally at the expense of Her Majesties Pound Sterling. I hope Catherine shall not be too upset that I am conducting business on her birthday.

I need not have worried. When she arrives home, I explain to her that which I have done and although she first wiggles her finger at me, once she learns that which I hope to achieve and how little it may cost compared to some of the other sales attempts, she is much in favor of the plan. The 'Guard' by that time have been wandering all over the Villa and one walks into the library while Catherine and I are talking. "Excuse me, Your Highness." He begins to leave when I ask: "Have you met your hostess? This is Signora Aldoennetti." "Good Afternoon Signora, my name is John and I am second in command of this detail. Please forgive us but we need to learn our way about and those faces we should be seeing here." "Not at all. I spoke with Sir Oliver this morning. He tells me the four of you are the best there is." "I have reason to doubt that now, ma'am. Her Highness beat the pants off us proper at the range earlier today." "Teddi?" "Catherine, you know I am not as good a shot as are you. I simply showed them what a Biretta automatic was capable of doing compared to their revolvers." "And?" "She fired twenty-three shots to each of our five and placed all of hers into a bulls-eye the size of two Shillings at 30 feet. And she says you are able to shoot better than she? It makes one glad the women of this country don't go to war." We both laugh at that remark and then John realises what he has just said and he laughs also. "Excuse me, Signora, Your Highness." and he is on his way. "Oh Drat." I say, "I completely forgot to ask Jerry to bring hearing protectors." Catherine picks up the telephone and dials a number. Speaking quickly in Italian she reaches Jerry before he has completed obtaining all the materials and asks him to also bring hearing protectors along. A few more moments and she asks; "Is it necessary to bring 2000 rounds of ammunition?" "Yes, I am going to send all that remains, hopefully about 1000 rounds, with them when they return to England. In that manner there is enough ammunition that many of the 'Yard' or 'Guard' shall have an opportunity to use an automatic. Then all we shall require is a little time for they will never be happy with their revolvers again. "Teddi, you are a schemer. Perhaps so capable as myself." "Oh Mother, I could never be that successful." I say with a mischievous smile and wink of my eye. We start laughing.

This evening we have guests at supper and Catherine introduces their host Signore Aldoennetti and his son, my fiancee, Jerry. After supper we all retire to the study and a light conversation begins. During the course of the conversation I fortunately have the opportunity to explain to the 'Guard' that the Biretta is the automatic of choice for my Monarchy (me, myself, and I) and my hosts were gracious enough to provide the weapons which I shall present to them tomorrow at the range. "Perhaps after a few hours instruction your accuracy shall improve sufficiently that I shall feel more protected." They didn't look too happy with that statement but I continue, "Come, come. You, yourselves have said you seldom practice. With a few hours instruction and use of the weapons, I know you shall improve markedly. What will impress you most of all is once you fire at targets with the automatics, at the same distance as today, and then compare those targets to the ones produced today you will be pleased with the result." "Will we be as good with them as is Your Highness?" "Perhaps, who may say? I undoubtedly have had considerably more practice than any of you. Come, how many hours practice have any of you had in say... the last month? Three hours? Four hours? I myself have had twenty hours practice and should have more but I have been busy. If you have had three hours practice in the last month then we shall double that in one morning. You will see improvement. Not only because of the practice but because of the weapon. But enough, This may wait until tomorrow after Signora Aldoennetti judges my Presentation."

Five? So soon? I am going to use that dratted alarm clock as a target at the range. Just this quick note and I must be out to the training arena. I have hardly slept all night from the excitement of my 'gift', our gift to Catherine. I hope she will see the pictures I shall try to present. Should she see them clearly, as I believe she may, she will know I hear the 'music'. I hurriedly dress and rush partway down the stairs then back up again, retrieve my tape and attempt once more to go down where I may obtain a roll for me and sugar for Sultan. The 'Guard' have even now been up and prowling for who knows how long. "Good Morning John, Gentlemen. Have you eaten?" "Not yet Your Highness." "I thought we settled this yesterday. Would you all please just call me Teddi? If you cannot do that then Miss Winchester will do, but this 'Your Highness' business must stop. I am here to enjoy myself not to conduct Business for my Monarchy." "Certainly, Your... I mean... certainly Miss Winchester." "That's better, thank-you. Now come with me and I shall show you the breakfast nook and arrange for you to order whatever you would like." We walk down the hall together and into the small nook where as they examine the selections as I leave them for a moment to go out into the kitchen where I try to impart my problem to the cooks so they may understand I have four hungry gentlemen who need breakfast. "Drat, I wish I spoke Italian." "Mi scusi, Signorina. I speak little English perhaps." "Grazie, you speak very w ell." I guide the smiling young man to the doorway of the nook and show him the four 'Guard' telling him they need breakfast. "Perhaps if you permit, they could come to the kitchen and point out that food they would like for breakfast?" It takes him a few seconds to digest that which I have said then he replys, "Cia, Cia, they come look." I smile at him and say "Grazie," as I curtsey slightly to him. You would have thought I had kissed him. I ask the 'Guard' to come into the kitchen as I explain, telling them also that "I must take my roll and quickly be off to the stables to practice. I have a competition to win Thursday next and the horse still knows more than I." They laugh at my comment and I am out the door back to the nook where I pick my roll, pour my milk, and shamefully take four sugar cubes for Sultan. While I am eating my roll they return and ask permission to sit. "Of course, we are all guests here." I guess it is a little difficult for them to have a 'Royal' treat them as equals. "Where are the stables, Miss Winchester?" "Bravo, thank-you. Reenter the hallway we have used to reach this room, however, turn to the right and go to the outside door. Once upon the veranda, still looking the same direction as the hallway is facing, the path to the Stables is visible just slightly to the left of that line at the trees. A hard right off the veranda will take you to the Kennels where the police and military Dogs are bred and trained. The Airstrip upon which you landed is also in that direction, but two kilometers distant. That is about a mile and a quarter. If you need transport I will arrange with Charles for it. Do you remember him?" "Ahh, the gentleman who appears to be the head of the household staff?" He pronounced it 'stahwwff'. "Yes, that is he. If you do not feel too put out you may request of him whatever you may require and simply tell him that I requested you make your needs known to him." "Yes, that will do nicely, Your... I mean Miss Winchester." As I begin to scowl at him then smile as he catches his error. I have finished my roll and milk by now and stand, of course they do also. "Be seated gentlemen. I must be on my way to practice, I am a little late. See you later at the range."

I am out the door and on my way as I hear the comment "Bloody nice Lady for a Royal". The English have such an interesting way of speaking, I suppose they say the same of us. It is already well past six and I am only just arriving at the stables. "Drat. I forgot my tape." I mount Sultan, and ride him back to the Villa then, telling him not to stray, I run in to find my tape. Of course, we go through the standing and be seated and all that once again. I explain I have forgotten my tape and my horse is unattended so I must immediately return to him. One of the Guard asks if he may see the horse so I tell him: "Of course, however, do not go too closely for he is not tolerant of strangers." We exit to the back and I call Sultan who promptly comes to me. I manage to rise to the saddle at my first attempt and the young man expresses surprise there are no bridle or reins. "I am learning the requests one may make of the horse without the use of the reins, and will use them again when I am to learn the finesse of control. This is very difficult for me but Sultan seems to understand. I must be off. Good Morning." I ride away as he watches. Just before reaching the trees, I slow and do a little left step, right step and slight stand and paw the air then proceed to the training arena. There I place the tape near the chalk board and begin to review the elements I have had so much difficulty remembering. Why do I continue to try to lean forward in the saddle before that maneuver when I should remain sitting upright? Somehow it just feels correct. I hope I don't make that mistake in the competition, I want to win and Mother has told me most of the other girls have been riding for more than a year. "Good Morning, Teddi." "Jerry! Good Morning, the tape is out by the chalk board. It is the only safe place I could see. What time is it?" "Nearly nine. PaPa will be bringing MaMa and others in a few minutes. I came early to help you prepare." I ride over to him: "All I require is someone to put the tape on the machine and turn it on at the correct time, my love. Oh yes, there is one more thing." "Good. What may I do?" "Come kiss me!" "Is that an order, Your Highness?" I pout: "Must I make it so?" He comes over to me quietly saying: "No," and we kiss gently, fireworks exploding in the air and warmth spreading throughout my body. "I love you, Teddi." "I know, I love you also." "Oh yes, Teddi you will have the 'Guard' watching as well. They asked Charles, fortunately, when MaMa was not present. They want to have some idea of what to expect when the Queen is watching at the competition." "At the competition? Oh yes," I say aloud, slightly panicked. "I had completely forgotten. I recall now, Mother had informed me the Queen would be present." Jerry excused himself and was about to hurry out for the tape but I ask him to wait and ride out to collect it and back again to give it to him. He hurries to the booth and the tape machine, quickly checking the music and volume in the arena before anyone should arrive. I continue to practice my elements. Also, taking the jumps and barriers which are already in place from my practice yesterday so no additional preparations for the surprise shall be necessary. I finally notice the Aldoennetti family, 'Guard' and a few others arriving, seating themselves.

Mother comes down to the rail and calls to me: "Teddi, would you come here a moment?" I ride over to her, "Good morning, Mother." "Good morning, daughter. The members of the Royal Guard asked if they might watch, so we brought them along. The other Gentlemen are from the competition committee. I have asked them to come here today so they may see how well you are doing. You may remember seeing them before during one of your earlier practice sessions?" "I remember, Mother. They are the gentlemen about whom I asked." "Good. Now you will prepare and we shall see how well they think you are doing." "Yes Mother", as I command Sultan to wheel about and we trot away to the starting position for the surprise leaving her standing there wondering what it is I think I am doing. I wave to Jerry and moments later the music begins. Sultan and I begin our birthday surprise. We slowly enter into the arena, glancing side to side to see if it is safe to enter. Further and further we enter until suddenly we hear something and began to back, then run down the arena taking the jumps in order to escape. The chase continues for a short while until suddenly we are surrounded with only one way out. We pound down that path taking the jumps and upon reaching the other side slow once again realizing, finally, that we have 'lost' our pursuers. We relax and simply walk through the immense meadow our music and actions create. I pick a flower as Sultan slowly grazes his way across the imaginary meadow and I pull the petals off in a he-loves-me, he-loves-me-not manner. Finally smiling at the result and holding the remaining portion of the 'flower' to my chest, I lay back in the saddle until my head touches Sultan's back. He still grazing in the tall grass of our 'meadow'. Once again we are suddenly interrupted. We have been seen and must run. As we pound across the meadow toward the only pathway out we are closely pursued. We try the jumps, we try the 'Ponds', we go everywhere in an effort to escape. Finally we come to a difficult series of jumps each higher than the one before it. As we round the corner and make for the jumps Mother rises to her feet with her hands to her face, fear evident in her eyes. We take each jump in succession despite the shortening distances and increasing heights until we come to the brink of a precipice. With nowhere else to go we gallop back toward our pursuers, turn, and race toward the edge. Leaping, we clear it and once again are safe, striking the air before turning and escaping the arena. I pat Sultan's neck as we stop outside turning to prepare to enter for the next selection. I hear Jerry telling everyone to remain seated and in a few seconds the music begins once again. This time Tchaikovsky pours into the arena as Sultan and I return, quickly reaching the far side and four low jumps which lead us to the other end where we slow, pirouette, jump and kick. Prancing, then raising until the front hooves are striking the air, we walk forward on Sultan's powerful hind legs. Then we lower again and a more subdued performance ensues allowing us time to rest as we 'dance' for Mother. The tempo picks up again and we once more take jumps, some of which have not been used in the previous performance. The tallest jump has yet to be encountered and as the music reaches it's climax we speed toward this jump, clearing it easily then exit the arena as the music ends. I direct Sultan to pause for a moment to catch our breath then we return to the arena at a light trot. I ride over to Mother who is standing at the railing, her hands covering her face as she sobs, the Signore beside her. I quickly dismount and run over to her exclaiming: "Mother, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. I wanted to surprise you. Oh, I'm so sorry."

Opening the gate, I begin to cry as I run to her. She turns and hugs me, saying "Teddi, thank-you. Thank-you. This was a wonderful birthday present." "Truly? You enjoyed it?" "Oh yes. You shall have a wonderful future with the horses. I liked your meadow." "You saw it!" I nearly screamed. "Oh yes, and the crevasse, and the forest. Yes, you made it all as clear as if I were standing there surrounded by it. When you jumped the crevasse to escape I was afraid you would fall into it, but then you reached the other side and rose up in victory before running out of the hunters range." "You saw it all! Mother I am so happy. Happy Birthday, Mother." "Thank-you Teddi." "May I go and care for Sultan? He has had a very strenuous morning." "Yes Teddi. I think you are ready." We kiss quickly and I run off, going out the railing gate and back to Sultan. Then I walk away with him following me, gently nuzzling my back now and again, eliciting a laugh from Mother. Once outside, I mount the saddle and ride back to the stables where I meet Mr. Johnson. "How did it go, Miss?" "She saw it all, Mr. Johnson. The meadow, the forest, even the crevasse. She liked it," I tell him adding, sorrowfully, "but I caused her to cry." He shakes his head in an understanding way, a soft expression upon his face. I give Sultan his sugar cubes and as he is being led away to be cared for, I hear the music playing once again. Turning, I walk to the Villa to shower and change for the presentation at the range.

Returning downstairs in my culottes and boots, I hear talking in the study and look in, as the doors are open. "Come in, come in Teddi." says the Signore. Everyone except the 'Guard' is here. All the gentlemen stand as those of the committee each give and hold a little bow to me. "No, please! Be seated!" "Teddi," Mother says to me, "With your permission we would like to alter the competition scheduling a little." As they explain what they want to do, I listen and then turn to Mother. "I never intended this to be for anyone but you, Mother. Do you want me to take your birthday present and give it to everyone?" "Of what value is a present if you cannot share it, Teddi?" I think about her statement and sigh, "Yes I will do it, but I have just a few small requests. I do not wish the judge to know a competitor is to provide the entertainment, and the competition in which I am entered must be completed and judged before the performance occurs. Second, I need somewhere I may change my clothes as I wish to present the performance dressed as I am now. Third, I require the jumps and 'ponds' be placed exactly as they are here. Distance, height, and timing are critical as I shall have no opportunity to practice at that arena." These requests did not seem to be a problem. Why then am I so nervous?

It is decided we shall wait until after lunch to go to the range. Shortly after we finish, word arrives there are two vehicles out front awaiting us that we may proceed. I ask to see the presentation boxes once again and assure myself that they are properly intact. Then we drive to the range. Upon reaching it, I bring out a box for each of the four 'Guard' and explain the fifth unopened box is for Sir Oliver. They are tasked with taking it to him and presenting it in the Aldoennetti's and my name. The remaining cartons of ammunition, and boxed fully automatic weapons are also brought out. We walk to the 'ready' line where I bring one box of ammunition for each of them as well as hearing protectors. Fortunately Jerry has seen fit to bring nearly 2500 'rounds' rather than 2000, so we shall have plenty. The targets are placed at 10 meters and one magazine is loaded by each Guardsman. I then supervise each in the feeding of the magazine into the handle, chambering of a bullet with the safety on. Aiming the weapon and releasing the safety. Once I have each of them confident they may release and activate the safety at any time we begin again. "Please remember, these are not revolvers. There is no empty chamber to rest the firing pin. Your only protection is the safety. Do not forget to disengage it in order to fire. Do not forget to re-engage it to prevent an accidental firing. I do not wish to explain to the Queen the reason one of you shot himself in the foot, or worse, someone else. Now. Aim downrange. Remove safeties. Four shots, commence fire." The safeties click off and the firearms begin to spit lead at the targets. "Do not turn around. Now, safeties on." four clicks as the safeties engage. I examine each before permitting them to place their weapons on the bench. Picking up one weapon, I remove the magazine and aim downrange from the firing line. "It is important to remember, with the safety off, the weapon is ready to fire. If the magazine has been removed, a second safety will prevent that firing" as I pull the trigger and nothing happens. I reinsert the magazine while continuing to aim downrange, then quickly pull the trigger four times sending four bullets through a hole barely larger than one. Engaging the safety, I return the weapon to the bench. Then, removing one bullet from each of the boxes on the bench, place them into the magazine such that each man has the same ammunition count once again. We walk out to examine the targets. They each have hit just a little high but their groups are much tighter than they had been at 25 meters. "We shall move the targets out to 25 meters in a moment, I wish each of you to know the peak rise of the curve of the bullet is at 30 meters. The rise is about seven centi... forgive me, at 100 feet the rise is about three inches. This means you will hit higher than the point at which you aim. So as the distance reaches 100 feet you must gradually aim just a little lower to hit correctly. Once past 100 feet the bullet begins to drop once again and at about 150 feet is once again on target. The same is true for the revolvers you use as well as all firearms although not necessarily at the same distances. Come, let us move the targets to 25 meters." Upon completing this task and returning to the pistols on the cleaning bench I task them: "Pick up your pistols and approach the firing line, the targets are now at 25 meters or about 80 feet. Remember to aim just a little low and aim the same every time. I do not presently care where your bullets land so much as I want you to see the same sight picture each time. Aim downrange, remove safeties, until empty, commence firing..." "Do not turn around!" "All finished, engage safeties. Step back from the firing line."

Once again examining the safeties I then tell them to each load three magazines before returning to the firing line. Jerry comes by and watches for a short while before approaching me to say he is proud of me. He and his father are going back to the Villa, they will send back some refreshments for everyone. "Thank-you my husband. I love you." We kiss, then they depart. Finally each of the guardsmen have returned to the firing line and I change things a little. "This time you are all shooting for the left eye. That is your target's left, not yours. Remember to obtain the same sight picture each time and compensate a little for the rise of the bullet. Aim downrange, remove safeties, load magazines, remember gentlemen this is now a dangerous weapon and not a lump of metal, chamber a round by pushing down on the lock I have shown you. Excellent, no one accidentally fired. Until empty, commence firing." They fire their automatics until the slides lock back once again, this time no one turns away from the firing line and everyone engages their safety without command. I have been walking the line checking each target and suggesting small changes. I check each safety and all are engaged. "All right gentlemen, I have suggested slight changes to the way you stand or hold the weapon, perhaps the way you are sighting. I, myself have fired ten shots from each of these weapons late yesterday afternoon and so have set the sights for this distance and know it is now simply a matter of your learning to use them. Remove your empty magazines, now place your weapons backwards in your hands with your thumb into the firing chamber. Holding the weapon like this, I know you cannot accidentally fire it. Now we shall walk out to the targets and examine them. Please follow me gentlemen." As we return from the targets the refreshments arrive and we pause for a small break. We spend the next two hours firing the weapons with each man firing a total of nearly 150 shots. They really are quite good. Their only problem has been one of shaken confidence at having a woman competing against them. The last nine shots we have fresh silhouettes, and I fire my automatic at the same time as they. "Ready. Rapid fire, commence firing." Oh well, my rapid fire required less than half the time of theirs. More importantly though, we inspect the targets and their groups are about four inches as is mine. "Congratulations gentlemen, you have qualified as sharpshooters with the 9mm Biretta long-barrel semi-automatic pistol. We will now learn to clean the weapons. The targets may remain here as we have not yet finished with them." "Your Highness. Why is it that your grouping today is not as small as the one from yesterday?" "Good, possibly all of you saw the difference, but it is encouraging to have one of you ask. I really expected more questions because I cannot help you learn unless you ask. The reason is simple. Remember the last shots fired were to be 'Rapid Fire'? Yesterday, I took my time firing and carefully placed my shots into the target, as you were all firing slowly and carefully I had the time to do the same. Today you are much more proficient, and are firing faster. I did not have the luxury of slower fire. After all, I am the instructor am I not?" They all begin to smile. "Your groupings have become quite accurate and I believe should you compare yesterday's firing time to today's you will find you fired no less than four times as quickly. For today you fired nearly twice as many shots as you had yesterday and in half the time, with four times the accuracy. Now, weapon disassembly..." I slowly break down one weapon for cleaning and then reassemble it, requiring each of them to disassemble their own weapon. I disassemble my automatic and clean it while they are learning to clean theirs. I have them disassemble and reassemble repeatedly during the next hour. Each time they make a cursory cleaning and come away with a little more residue. This is due to my emphasis upon different areas of the weapon each time. "Remember gentlemen, cleanliness is liveliness. You may live a little longer if your weapon is clean, well oiled, and ready for action." They all smile again. "And speaking of well oiled." They all groan, and begin to disassemble the weapons again. I demonstrate proper oiling and tell them to oil their weapon once a month at the least, even if they are not used. "I oil mine with a rag every second or third day. I clean them every day that I have used them or once a month whichever occurs first. As I use them about thirty to fifty hours a month, I generally do not need to clean them on the monthly schedule."

"All right now, place your weapons into their holsters, pick up a fresh box of ammunition, your cleaned magazines and put it all away in your boxes. If you decide to load your weapons later, I would appreciate it if you do not accidentally discharge them in the Aldoennetti's home." As they pick up their items, I begin to reload my magazines and when finished turn to the boxes holding the machine pistols. "Oh, by the way gentlemen, would you clean up the dirty patches and throw them into the barrel over there, then put your cleaning kits away in your boxes as well?" As they comply, I place a magazine into the pistol I have removed from the box, chamber a round and proceed to cut my target apart with a sustained burst of twenty-five shots. That has captured their attention. I place a second magazine of twenty-five rounds into it. "This, gentlemen, is the fully automatic machine pistol. It may fire 650 rounds per minute and has magazines capable of holding 25, 50, or 200 rounds. It may fire a single shot (bang), three round bursts (bang-bang-bang),.. in about one-third of a second, or fully automatic (a two second sustained burst cutting what was remaining of my target apart). You will each have the opportunity to fire twenty-five rounds at full automatic into your target. First however are the safety considerations and proper aiming and handling of the weapon." I place them two per weapon and we continue with one checking the other for safety practices. Another hour and we have finished, ready to return to the Villa. "I will clean these two weapons myself. You have each been given one box of fifty bullets to go with your weapon. Try the shoulder holsters, with unloaded weapons of course, until you are able to safely draw your weapon from it's holster. Of the remaining bullets, 150 will be loaded into the magazines of the two fully automatic-weapons. They shall be initially set to triple burst and shall be used only to protect the Queen if necessary. The remaining 1300 rounds... These will go to your room John and then to England for use in training practice." "Thank-you, Your Highness." "Gentlemen, I am quite proud of you all. Thank-you for putting up with me and shall we now go back to the Villa and freshen up as it is almost supper. Oh, and please remember not to call me 'Your Highness'. I put up with it during training and will no longer tolerate it." They look at me with obvious turmoil in their minds, finally saying: "Yes, Miss Winchester." I may never succeed long term with these gentlemen.

We place everything back into the vehicles and begin our ride back to the Villa. "Drat. I must remember to ask the time the Queen is due to arrive." "Beg pardon, Miss?" "Sorry, I was just muttering to myself. I have completely forgotten to learn the arrival time for Her Majesty." "She is due to arrive in Milan about ten tomorrow morning. I understand the Aldoennetti family will be flying there to greet her once the pomp and circumstance has ended, then I suppose they will fly back here." "Thank-you." "Quite welcome, Miss." I must decide what it is I am going to wear. I believe I shall wear that which I had on when I first arrived here. By threading a belt through the trouser loops I could place a holster on the belt and carry my second automatic there under my jacket with the first one in my purse. I must not forget to wear the tiara... I need to speak with Mother. Arriving at the Villa, the 'Guard' carry their things up to their rooms and I have the two machine pistols, their ammunition and cleaning kits taken to my room. I also request an old newspaper so I shall not spill anything on the furniture or floor while cleaning the weapons later. I freshen myself, washing my hands at least a dozen times to remove the powder, cleaning solvent and oil before going down to supper. Mother has come up to my room thanking me again for her 'present'. "You really enjoyed it?" "Yes, Teddi. very much. A mother could not have wished for a better present from her daughter." I couldn't help it, wet hands and all, I just had to hug her. We talk as I continue to wash, drat, another chipped fingernail. I must remember to be more careful when using the weapons. I learn from her the marching orders for tomorrow. The Queen and Princess are to arrive at ten. There will be a brief reception there by the plane, politicians of course, then I should meet the Queen as she knows me and accepts me as Royalty. I will introduce the Aldoennetti family to them. Then Princess Margaret and I shall fly back to the Estate. The plane will then return to Milan to await Her Majesty and the Aldoennettii's pleasure after the completion of the reception. Ten of the 'Guard' arriving with them are to accompany Margaret and myself in our travel to the estate where they shall join those four presently here. The remaining six are to accompany the Royal party onto the aircraft after the reception. "How will those return whose duty it is to protect the aircraft when no one is on board?" Mother says: "Thank-you Teddi", and immediately rises going out and down the stairs. Later I am to learn that no such protection had been ordered, but that was set straight promptly. Giorani and five others were to be flown to Milan early in the morning, secure an area to quarter the family aircraft and maintain that security throughout the morning and early afternoon until the aircraft takes the family back to the Estate. The aircraft will then return one last time to return them to the Estate also.

"Mother, I am cleaning the two machine pistols this evening. I shall load the six magazines and perhaps they should accompany Giorani and his 'detail'. A show of force probably would not hurt. Once they return here I shall need the weapons returned as I have told the 'Guard' they shall be available during Her Majesties stay here." "Teddi, I would feel much better if Giorani and his men retained the machine pistols. They have far more expertise in those weapons. Additionally, I do not wish the 'Guard' to suddenly decide our bodyguards are the enemy and begin using automatic weapons before anyone may stop them." "All right mother, I shall explain to them that my 'mentor' informs me it will be safer to allow the machine pistols to remain in the hands of personnel fully-trained in their use." She smiles, her eyes sparkling as we turn and proceed down to supper together. I 'let the shoe drop' during the after supper conversation. The guard were understandably somewhat disappointed but completely understand. They also understand also their weapons are to be a part of Her Majesties ordinance as is the one going to Sir Oliver and are grateful for the training I have given them. "We four are now able to provide more firepower in a shorter time than a squad of our fellows." "I would you were more accurate and used less ammunition rather than expending all you have in order to simply lay down fire. Who wins when you are out of bullets and have hit no one?" "By Jove, she has a point there, what?" They have most interesting speech patterns.

"Catherine, I believe I shall walk down and visit Sultan for a few minutes. We did not train this afternoon, nor will we tomorrow, so he may think I have abandoned him." "Very well, Teddi. Perhaps you should take a jacket as it is becoming cool." I traipse upstairs securing a jacket after placing an automatic in one pocket of the culottes and spare magazines into the other. For good measure I do the same in the jacket. After securing two sugar cubes, I walk out the back door and down the path to the stables. Upon reaching Sultan's stall I open the top half of the door. "Hello Sultan, that's a good fellow. I brought you a sugar cube." He takes it from my hand beginning to chew it, then moving close once again begins to nuzzle me, allowing me to rub his forehead and neck. I locate his brush and climb the side of the stall to begin to brush him as he stands quietly. After perhaps half an hour I return the brush to it's storage location. After giving him the second sugar cube I say good night and close the doors once more. Darkness has descended for my return to the Villa where I enter, quietly climbing the stairs to go to my room. The jacket is returned to the closet after placing that pistol and it's magazines into the night stand. Returning downstairs, the family is found to be in conversation. Catherine acknowledges me as I enter... "How is Satan, daughter?" "He is doing well. I remained with him spending a little time brushing him. He enjoys it." "Perhaps I made a mistake giving him to you, you are spoiling him shamefully." Just then Sophia speaks up, "I enjoyed your performance this morning Teddi. The meadow was beautiful. And when the hunters found you again and had driven you to the edge of the precipice I was concerned for your safety. You present well." "Thank-you Sophia. I am very glad you were able to see it. Mother, I believe I shall retire as I did not sleep well last night and shall need to be fresh tomorrow. Goodnight everyone." I go to Mother giving her a kiss on her cheek then more direct and lingering with Jerry before I say goodnight to the Signore and am off. I hear Jerry begin a comment: "MaMa, if you were anything like Teddi, I may easily see why PaPa..." I reach the stairs by then, and unless I stop to listen am unable to hear more. Passing two of the 'Guard' who are walking down the staircase I am ascending, I say "Goodnight Gentlemen." "Goodnight, Your High... Goodnight, Miss." "Bloody difficult to call royalty anything other than 'Your Highness', isn't it?", one says to the other as they reach the bottom of the stairs, and upon seeing the family in the study they walk in that direction. "Yes, but she seems to make me feel as though I should fight an army to protect her while treating her as gently as I would my sister." I enter my room, closing the door then have another of those deliciously long showers. Afterward I dry and carefully brush my hair until it is shining. Off to bed and with my prayers upon my lips I fall deeply asleep, dancing through a beautiful meadow with Jerry and this great prancing horse.

So soon!? Morning is here, the sun has once again begun to show itself through my windows and I am dressed and ready to go downstairs. My one automatic is rather evident upon my belt until I put on my jacket. The tiara present upon my head and my 'rings and necklace with it's heart prominent. I open my door stepping out onto the landing while closing it behind me. Across the open space, which is part of the room below, I may see two of the 'Guard' with their new (and old) weapons standing next to the two doors which would lead to the Queen's and Princess' rooms. "Good Morning." I call to them. "Good morning, Miss." they each reply. Terribly talkative aren't they? I proceed around the landing to their location that I might address them without yelling and ask, "Is there anything you require? I could have some breakfast or juice, perhaps coffee sent up." "No thank-you, Miss. We're quite all right. We go off duty in another hour and will eat then." "Oh my, have you been here all night?" "No Miss, we take four hour shifts and when the rest arrive today it will be much easier all 'round. Thank-you for asking." "You're welcome. Please remember, if anyone needs anything ask Charles or myself. You may also ask Signora Aldoennetti, but she shall probably be quite busy being a hostess. I myself am concerned with my upcoming competition and presentation, but don't hesitate to ask. Good morning." "Good morning, Miss" I walk down the staircase and turn back toward the hall leading to the breakfast nook. "Bloody nice Royal, don't you think?" "Rather like our Queen, I should say. There aren't too many like them now, that's God's truth." It's nice sometimes to know people really do like you even when they think you are not present.

Upon entering the nook I discover the other two in a conference. I say: "Good morning, Gentlemen. Please remain seated." "Good Morning, Miss. Thank-you." "Did you sleep well or were you all prowling all night?", I ask. "Prowling, Miss?" "Walking out and about, examining the Villa and grounds." "Oh, yes Miss. We spent part of the night 'Prowling'. I see you are carrying your sidearm also. Do you believe you will need to use it?" "One never knows now, does one? I have had occasion to kill to protect my life. That does not mean I like it, simply that I am capable of it. Have either of you found it necessary to kill someone?" They looked at each other and at the automatic on my belt, "No Miss, I can't say that we have." "Well, don't let that stop you if you ever need to do it. And if you need to do it, don't be chivalrous. Chivalry has killed more people than have assassins. It is easy for a woman to kill a man or another woman. You do not have that luxury, a man may readily kill a man but pause before killing a woman. That hesitation would find you dead on the floor if that woman were like myself. I think the four of you need to realise that fact... I'm sorry, I talk too much. It simply is very upsetting to me to find my students dead, so please remember that which I have said." "Your Highness. We have found you to be more concerned for our welfare than we are of yours. That is somewhat disconcerting to us." "It shouldn't be. A 'Royal' as you call us, should be concerned for the men who are to protect her. It just does not always show. It was nice chatting with you, I believe I shall consume my roll and milk in the library. Good morning." "Good morning, Your Highness. err... Miss." I walk out of the room and down the hall as the next comment comes floating after me: "Why in Bloody Hell do I always feel as though she is telling me she is better at protecting herself than all of us together, and yet I want to fight the world to protect her?" "I know, it makes you wish there were a few hundred of them with us at Dunkirk, doesn't it now?" I must remember to ask Jerry what that means. Once in the library, I seat myself after turning the radio on low. While devouring my roll and milk I listen to classical music. That is when the cramps hit me. Drat, it would start this morning. I intensely dislike this, soon it shall hurt clear through, front and back. Lest I forget, I shut off the radio and return to my room to make this note in my diary, then visit the bathroom to prepare for the certain eventuality. Everyone is out and about by now so I must bring my jacket and purse downstairs with me for we shall probably depart soon. I hear the airplane flying in to the estate's landing field.

Upon exiting my room, I again see the two 'Guard' who had been downstairs now up at the doorways. Walking over to them, I request: "Would both of you be so kind as to inform the arriving 'Guard' members it is my desire not to be called 'Your Highness' but simply Miss or Miss Winchester? Should the Queen call any of you to task for it, simply tell her it was my royal request for I am on Holiday from my title." "Of course, Miss. It shall be our pleasure." "Thank-you so much, please have a Good Morning." "Good Morning, Miss." With that I proceed downstairs and begin to look for the Aldoennettii. I hear Jerry, Alphonse, and Alphonso talking in the study and glance in as I walk by (waving quietly to Jerry who notices me as I pass by). Catherine and Sophia are not there, I finally locate them in the breakfast nook. "Your Highness." they both say. I must have looked crestfallen as they both begin laughing at my expression as I say: "Please don't call me that." Mother immediately replies, "Now Teddi, you know we must, at least while the Queen is here." "No, you do not. If I may request the 'Guard' to refer to me as Miss or Miss Winchester, why could you not call me Teddi, or... Daughter, or... anything but a Royal Title?" "Teddi, you must become accustomed to being Titled. You shall bear that the rest of your life. Why would you not want the distinction?" "Mother, that may be perfectly all right if we are out where many strangers are present, but please, Please not here at home!" "Daughter, you are too soft... but I am pleased you are this way. Have you seen the men anywhere, by chance?" "Yes. As I was walking here I passed them, they are in the study." "Excellent, we shall collect them and go out to the airplane. You look very nice, those clothes will do quite well for the occasion. However, go upstairs and add a light shade of lipstick, just a hint of colour. Go, Go."

I do as she requests, adding the tube of lipstick to the collection of items semi-disorganized in my purse. With a pistol in it there is not much room for anything else. I think of that for a moment and hurriedly locate the other holster. After placing it on my belt with the pistol and magazines in it I now have the space I need in my purse. I fasten my jacket and look in the mirror... just terrible, it makes me look lumpy. Unbuttoning the jacket once again, I look once more. Better. I should probably visit Mother's clothier again and see if he may make a suggestion and also perhaps two pair of culottes and jackets which are designed to look good while my pistols and magazines are in or under them. I remove the one holster returning it and the pistol to my night stand, retaining the three magazines which I place into the pocket of my clutch. Much better, except I now have but one pistol. Oh well, it shall needs do. Off I go, waving to the 'Guard' as I proceed downstairs following the voices I hear exiting the study. "Excellent daughter. You look very nice. Jerry, you must take great steps to protect your princess." "I shall lay down my life for her mother." "Jerry!," I cry, "I should prefer you lay down another's life such that I may not become a widow before I am a bride." The three men immediately laugh at that. I was not laughing.

We fly into Milan where we meet Giorani who has assigned three of his men to protect the aircraft and berthing area. One of them has a machine pistol and it's three magazines of ammunition. The second group of three accompanies our extended family (we three couples). Giorani walks near to the Signore and Catherine, while Jerry and I follow Alphonso and Sophia. We are met by airport security who conduct us to the reception area where we shall meet the Queen. We have arrived an hour before she is due to discover the area already filling with 'important' personages and all manner of security. As we enter, the Politicians begin falling all over themselves to be gracious to the Aldoennetti family. I am thankful they do not happen to realise a Princess is among the entourage. If they fawn over the Aldoennettii this way I may imagine that which I would encounter should they realise I am titled. As Mother and I have discussed, she handles any and all translations so I may understand that which is occurring. Word arrives, the Queen's aircraft is landing and shall soon taxi to our location. Nerves of steel, mine are not. The politicians move out near to the end of the red carpet which has been laid upon the concrete. It is at the other end of this nearly fifty foot carpet that the aircraft shall come to a halt. Many others follow closely behind the officials, our party included. Finally the aircraft has stopped and the door is opening. Several men look out as two exit and secure the roll around stairway, one at the top and one at the bottom. Then the Queen and Princess Margaret step out of the aircraft to start down the stairway. I note they are both wearing dresses, as are Catherine and Sophia. I am the only woman in our party wearing culottes, I suppose they look enough like a skirt. Oh well, I am on vacation. Margaret sees me and is waving. I wave back to her. The crowd behind us believes, of course, she has waved to them, that is well also. Now the Queen sees us, as the politicians are moving forward to greet Her Highness. I must say that after seeing all this, I am quite thankful I seldom shall need to endure it.

The speeches have begun and the first politician requires no less than ten minutes in Italian before his speech is repeated in English. We have only six more speakers and then perhaps we shall be allowed to speak with the royal family. It is no wonder politics accomplishes so little, so poorly, and in the greatest amount of time. They must be paid by the hour. I quietly ask Catherine: "How much must I tolerate before simply walking up to Her Majesty?" "Be gracious now, Teddi. They will realise the error of their ways soon enough." She was quite correct for when the second speaker completed his speech, the Queen paused them all and walks over to us. We curtsey and she takes my hand bidding me to rise speaking with us for a brief moment before I introduce her to Catherine. I ask Catherine to accompany us that we might understand the Italian rather than waiting for repetitions of the speeches in English. Of course the Queen has her interpreter with her but I like Catherine's translation for she describes what it is the person is attempting to say as well as what they are actually saying. Catherine had been translating for me as we stood waiting and now does so for the Queen and Princess as well after we walk together back to the 'windbags'. The remaining gentlemen (aura de pomposity) still do not seem to understand why the queen should have gone over and brought us back before they have completed their speeches. One of the previous speakers asks Catherine if the Aldoennettii are good friends of the Queen, she relates to them that the Princess whom the Queen greeted has been staying at their Estate these past weeks and the Queen has come to Italy expressly at her invitation to spend some quiet time at the Estate. Slowly the light dawns. It is very interesting to see the reaction of a politician when he decides he has made a major faux pas. As they try to apologize to me I ask Catherine tell them it was quite all right. They had not been informed I had come to Italy because I was on holiday and did not want to attend function after function when I first arrived. "I needed time to prepare for an Equestrian Competition soon to be held. The Family Aldoennetti has been kind enough to allow me to accompany them for a quiet entry into Italy upon their return." I have the most terrible feeling these men shall remember me for a while. The speeches have ended and it is now the Queen's opportunity to speak. Thankfully, she says a great deal with very few words, much like Catherine, and five minutes later I am introducing the family members to Her (and to the Princess), "..and, Your Majesty, this is my fiancee, Jerry." She smiles at me and says to him, "We are pleased to meet you, finally. You have a very precocious young woman for your fiancee. I trust you shall have the strength to moderate her exuberance somewhat. I find she, while visiting England, would make a decision and carry through upon it rapidly with the best of intentions, however not always to the betterment of the situation. Fortunately, this will change with time and she is, I believe, well worth tending." "I heartily agree, Your Majesty. She is a rare jewel, but needs a little polish..." "Jerry!" "You see, Your Majesty?" The Queen laughs quietly at that exchange, a beautiful chime in her laughter. "Here now, You may conduct your Princess and mine to your Estate. We shall send some of the Royal Guard in accompaniment. Now be off, I'm certain Margaret would appreciate settling in rather than traipsing around some stuffy functions all afternoon." Jerry bows and I curtsey then we are away with Margaret accompanying us. One of the two limousines which has recently arrived for the Royal Party takes the three of us and some of the 'Guard to the berthing location of the family aircraft. The driver then returns to obtain the rest of the luggage and several more guard to fill out the seating.

As we fly for the brief period the airplane requires to reach the estate, Margaret and I discuss the up and coming competition, clothing, horseback riding for enjoyment, music, opera, men, and boys, not necessarily in that order. Margaret is extremely excited and has been watching out the window for a glimpse of the Villa. I also have been watching such that as we approach for the landing I may point out the stables, kennels, and the more prominent Master residence itself. Off in the distance the small town, also a part of the property where the servants, grounds keepers, et. al. live with their families, comes into view. Upon landing we are met by two family limousines, and the Land Rover (British, don't you know). The luggage is loaded and everyone boards the vehicles as the aircraft lifts off to return to Milan and it's berthing area. A telephone call is sent out as to the exact departure time so there might be no stops en route without an associated loss of time. None-the-less the aircraft will be thoroughly searched upon arrival at Milan.

 

(continued) 

  

  

  

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