“Dalholm and Hadsby are his places.”
If she could tell Edric what crept past her in the night, then maybe she’d find her way clear to tell her sons. But in thirty years of marriage, this particular secret was one she could not bring herself to tell. Even to the man she loved with every fiber of her being. The man who’d rescued her.
“Come, let’s eat.” She linked her arm through his, thankful for how he always anchored her. “Edric, could you look over the Finance Minister’s report? I need someone to boil it down. His lengthy sentences with economic terms I’ve never heard of are giving me a headache.”
“Anything for you, love.”
Edric, her sweet Edric. So kind and giving. Her wise rock. One of these days shemustunburden herself to him.Oneof these days. But that day was not today.
* * *
Daffy
Crates lined the gallery and debris littered the royal red carpet. By Monday evening, Daffy and Lucy had assembled the dress forms, stationed them according to their design plan, and unboxed the first gown—the oldest, from the fifteenth century—of burgundy velvet, cream silk, and lined with white fur.
It was well preserved, but under inspection, they found it needed some delicate repairs.
The hall clock struck ten as Daffy stretched, her low back aching, and surveyed the gallery.
“I’m starting to think we don’t have enough room.”
Lucy looked up from stitching a layer of silk. “It’s a big gallery, Daff. We’ve not yet used half the space.”
“I know, but we have at least six dresses with cathedral trains. They’ll run the width of the gallery, through the rails, and over the sides if we’re not careful.”
“True. TheArabellatrain is twenty feet.” Lucy stood and stepped around the unboxed crate. “I’m off to get some silk remnants to finish this.”
“It’s late. Wait until morning.”
“I just want to tend it while I’m thinking of it.” Lucy leaned in for a hug goodnight. “I’ll see you at breakfast. Seven-thirty.”
“You’re making me feel guilty.” Daffy lifted the lid from the next box. Inside was another beautiful, but heavy, gown from a House of Blue bride. Worn by Princess Georgianna in 1588, the dress required some careful assembling. Many of the embellishments had fallen off or loosened, and some of the tapestry threads on the bodice needed repair. Tedious work. Any modern touches must appear the way the original dressmaker intended.
“Don’t,” Lucy said. “I’ll bug out early on you one night. Sleep well.”
Collecting her tablet, Daffy started for her suite, the Princess Charlotte, but when she passed the stairs, she saw a light in the foyer spilling out from what could only be the Queen’s Library.
At lunch Cranston announced he was bringing down theKing Tituschair in the afternoon. While he wasn’t officially a member of the Royal Trust, he had jurisdiction since the ancient piece was stored at Hadsby. And the less handling the better.
The idea of seeing it in person renewed Daffy’s energy. Enough to head down the bronze and gold double balustrade staircase for a quick peek. With the castle so quiet, now was the time.
She tiptoed over the marble floor to the library’s open doors and passed under the light from an etched glass dome to catch a glimpse of the chair.
The room was long and narrow, scattered with leather club chairs, thin-legged desks, and gilded floor lamps with broad shades. Where would Cranston have put the chair? And truly, the doors should be closed and locked.
“Beg pardon, but have you seen the prince?”
Daffy jerked around. “Hemstead, you scared me. The prince? No, I’ve not seen him. Is he lost?”
“He’s run off. I thought he’d be back by now.” The broad and muscled protection officer stepped into the room. “Do you need my help?”
“I was just sneaking in to see theKing Titus.” Daffy lit the lamp on an end table and found the ancient chair situated in the front corner, hidden by the open door.
“TheTitus?” Hemstead stiffened, arms folded. “Don’t see the fuss over a thousand-year-old chair, former royal throne or not. I’d rather see the prince. Give him a piece of my mind.”
“Check his apartment.”
“What do you think I’ve been doing? He’s gone to some pub, but I can’t remember what he said. I’ve never been here before.”
