“My husband sends his regrets that he was unable to be here this afternoon. He will, however, make every effort to join us for dinner this evening.”
Nora and Lorenzo exchanged knowing glances.
The queen cleared her throat. “Leonora, there is a box of Parliamentary papers in your father’s study that are waiting on your review and a signature. Lorenzo, if you could please check in with Signor Amato. He had a few concerns about a retaining wall in one of the east fields.”
Both siblings assured their mother they’d see to her requests immediately and set out in opposite directions, leaving Sabrina alone.
Oh no. She’s going to give me an inquisition right off the bat. I wasn’t mentally prepared for this so soon.
The queen gestured that Sabrina should walk with her.
Sabrina swallowed hard and clasped her hands behind her back. The queen matched her walking pace.
They entered the palace through a pair of twenty-foot-tall cerulean-blue doors. A red carpet extending the full length of the entry hallway, and they passed several glass display cases of pottery, gold jewelry, and other artifacts en route to the lift.
The queen blinked slowly. “Sabrina, tell me, how are you enjoying your new flat in Ananostrum? Leonora mentioned you’ve just begun redecorating the living room.”
“I’m thrilled to finally be settled in my new home.”
Seven months ago, she’d taken Nora’s suggestion and launched her author service business. Initially, growth was slow. It had taken Sabrina time to figure out how to set herself apart from an already saturated market. However, as she learned new skills and unlocked the secrets of advertising on social media, her client list exploded. She was now solidly booked through the end of the year.
Riding the lift to the second floor, the queen spoke in light tones and engaged Sabrina in conversation, momentarily making her forget with whom she was speaking. Sabrina recounted how helpful Lorenzo had been in taking her around to various antique markets in Tuscany to find furnishings for her apartment.
Walking past tall vases with seasonal floral arrangements and red velvet rope barriers protecting priceless oil portraits of Nora and Lorenzo’s ancestors, Sabrina and the queen entered a circular room in the east wing of the palace.
The top half of the paneled walls were rust, and bottom half ivory. A black-and-white photo of the queen and her husband walking down the aisle of a church on their wedding day hung in the place of honor above an obsidian fireplace. A tuxedo cat dozed on a fluffy white throw carpet.
Built-in shelves and cabinets were filled with stacks of books arranged by size and color. In front of two sash windows was an antique ash writing desk decorated with silver-framed photos of the queen’s children.
They sat down on a white sofa. Two uniformed members of the staff bowed, rolled out a trolley laden with a tea service and a selection of fruits, scones, and Italian pastries, then left the room. The queen poured herself a cup of tea. Sabrina followed her example.
“As you might have guessed, I’ve asked you here today to chat about you and my son. Enough time has passed for there to be whisperings of a potential marriage between you two.”
Sabrina’s teacup rattled.
The queen took a sip from her own teacup. “You’ve brought Lorenzo so much joy and happiness.”
Sabrina learned forward in her seat.
“I’ve long hoped Lorenzo would find a woman who would at long last be able to break through his hardened shell. If he were to ask—”
A knock at the door sounded.
“Enter.” The queen stood. “Leonora. Now is not the best time.”
Nora cleared her throat. “On the contrary.” She held up her tablet. “Look who I’vefinallymanaged to get ahold of.”
Lucas held up his hand and waved. “Hello, Aurora, Sabrina. It’s lovely to see you both. So sorry to pop in like this, but this was the first available time slot I had open to return your call.”
What is Nora up to?
The queen sighed. “Sabrina, I apologize, but it appears we’re going to have to postpone our chat.”
She sat up straighter in her seat.
Nora handed the tablet to her mother. “Lucas, if you wouldn’t mind telling Mother about your idea for our wedding cake, I need to talk to Sabrina about our plans for the afternoon. I’ll be right back.”
Sabrina placed her teacup down and stood, following Nora.
