“Good.” Adelaide drank down her second glass. Her head lowered, and I decided that this was not the time to bring up my marital concerns. Instead, I got up and walked closer, and with a good bit of hesitation, I placed my hand on her shoulder.
She flinched at the touch. Dierdre moved as if to step between us, but Adelaide halted her with a look. Then she met my eyes.
“Thank you.”
“It’s not your fault.” I squeezed, just slightly. “I’m sorry.”
Adelaide stared at my hand like it was the first time she’d been touched. Then she returned her focus to the wine as Deirdre refilled it. “I have much to think on, Your Majesty.” I nodded and left Adelaide to her grief.
Winnie had urgent business to attend to, and Florence remained scarce after greeting me upon my return, so aside from Marcy, I was utterly alone. The corridor felt strange, after so long away, like I had returned to a different castle than the one I’d left behind.
“Marcy,” I said, “Go rest.”
Her brow pinched. “Are you sure? Neither of your ladies-in-waiting are around.”
“I will be fine. Your wounds are still healing. You need to sleep more.”
Marcy hummed, then clicked her tongue and bowed. “All right. As you wish.”
Then she was off to sleep wherever she was stationed, somewhere near my own chambers, and I turned in the opposite direction.
I needed normality, the comfortable chatter of women. No doubt those who’d stayed behind would want to hear every detail of our journey, and gods, I could use the distraction.
The Lady’s Chamber was open. I paused at the threshold, taking in the scene. Lady Maeve sat near the window, embroidering something small—likely for the boy she’d taken in. Winnie was there, too, surrounded by cooing ladies as she stared down at something in her lap. That had to be the first time I’d seen her commanding positive attention among the women.
Winnie was on her feet the moment she saw me. Her eyes were wide as she hurried over, whispering with urgency. “The fool finally asked for my hand.”
Looking down, I saw the large ring on her finger. It glinted with an impressive number of diamonds; undoubtedly, the jewelry had announced itself to the women of the chamber. I certainly didn’t see Winnie as the type to come in and announce the landmark occasion.
I walked with her to an empty sofa. My body was exhausted from travel, and the weight of my conversation with Adelaide still pressed on my shoulders.
“Tell me more.” I let myself relax. “How did he ask?”
“He stammered a bit at first…” Winnie paused, taking in her audience with barely-veiled disapproval. Gathering herself with a steadying breath, she continued. “We were in the garden maze, and I noticed him fumbling with something in his pocket. I was starting to accuse him of some shocking indecency, and that frightened him. He whipped out a little box, and I realized I’d accidentally rushed a process he’d almost certainly spent countless hours rehearsing in private.”
My brows raised. The women around us giggled in amusement, but not one of them appeared to notice the elation that was missing from Winnie’s recounting.
“Anyway, I gave a tentative yes.” Winnie stroked the ring in emphasis. “Pending your approval, of course.”
I couldn’t quite get her to meet my eyes. Something was off. “Winnie, do you want this?”
“I…” she trailed, lifting her eyes to something behind me. When she didn’t finish, I turned to the source of her interest, bracing my arm on the back of the chair.
Quinn stood in the threshold, chest heaving like he’d run the length of the castle. His hair was unkempt, and his clothes were completely askew, but wildest of all were his eyes. I’d never seen them quite like this: red-rimmed, too bright. They darted all around the room until they found me.
“Your Majesty,” he choked out. “Might I have a moment?”
“Lord Quinn, whatever’s the matter?” asked Angharad from her usual perch. “My, how urgently he summons our queen.”
Quinn ignored her, keeping his attention fixed on me. “Please.”
I was already rising, flashing an apologetic look to Winnie for our unfinished business. Some of the ladies exchanged whispers that I fought to disregard as I followed Quinn into the corridor, shutting the door behind myself. Hopefully Winnie would set them straight.
Quinn paced, running his hands repeatedly through his hair. At last he met my eyes, and…were thosetears?They hadn’t fallen, not yet, but his gaze was heavy with their burden.
I took his arm and pulled, guiding him into the privacy of the music room. Then I closed the door.
He put a shaking hand into his pocket and withdrew a letter.
