"I'll stop by the archives before long, and we can discuss how our plans are affected for the next few days while you're helping with the search. Unfortunately, our trip to the shore has already been postponed anyway." Another pause, but no tapping. "I have to attend to another matter, but I'll contact you soon."
"Thank you."
She could almost see that grin of his, the one that had attracted her to him in the first place. "My pleasure."
Setting the phone back down, Victoria turned to Jeanette. "Let her know we would appreciate any help she can give, though we're not sure exactly what form that will take at the moment. The king will let us know what clearances she needs and what the restrictions will be."
A look of relief quickly covered Jeanette's face. "Thank you." She quickly placed a call to the other historian. After hanging up, she sank back into her chair. "Her experience will be a huge asset, even if it's only in an advisory role outside of the gallery and archives."
"I've met her, but it's been years. I don't remember much about it," Victoria admitted. "She's kind. I know that much."
"We've met several times at conferences, both before and after her marriage to Prince Anthony. I don't know her well, but she’s always made those around her feel comfortable. Even if she's not able to assist, just having someone here who understands will be helpful." She blew out a breath andstraightened, resting her forearms on her desk. "I'm new to all of this," she admitted. "I've only been at the palace for a few months. I've worked on other projects both in Dellisole and elsewhere, but never on a staff like this or been in management of a place like this. I've certainly never been prepared to take over as Royal Historian even temporarily. I expected it to be at least twenty years before I'd even consider applying for a position as prestigious as this one, and I wouldn't expect to be hired the first time either."
Victoria gave her a sympathetic smile. "I understand, but if you weren't prepared and qualified you wouldn't be here."
"I appreciate the confidence, ma'am."
In unison they sank back in their chairs and let out a breath.
They'd figure this out.
Somehow.
Askingfor assistance from other historians hadn't occurred to Enzo. He didn't even know how Madeleine Woodward Middleton had heard about the problem, but he supposed the world of royal historians wasn't that large and word of anything interesting wouldn't take long to make it's way around.
Prince Anthony, widower of the late Queen Caroline of Eastern Novigradia, came to see him while his wife went to the archives.
"I'm sorry about your mum." The former prince consort didn't waste any time. "I wish we'd been able to attend the service, but Madeleine and I were both quite ill. Even if wehad been up to traveling, we wouldn't want to infect the entire assembly."
Enzo gave a nod. "Understood - and we appreciate the consideration."
The other man's demeanor shifted in such a minute way that Enzo wasn't immediately certain he'd been correct in his observation.
"How are you?"
No. He'd been right. Anthony had moved from being a congenial colleague of sorts to a concerned mentor.
"I'm... all right. I miss mum, of course, and I wish she was still here, but I'm taking things a day at a time, learning as I go." He led the way to a sitting area near the windows overlooking the city and motioned for Anthony to have a seat. Maybe he could change the subject to something a little more pleasant. "How is your family?"
"They're doing well."
The slight raise of an eyebrow told Enzo that his attempt at deflection had been noticed.
Anthony's expression softened. "I know I've never been a monarch, but I've spent decades married to one and being regent for another. If there's anything I can do or help with or if you need someone to be a sounding board or to vent to, I'm only a phone call away."
That he'd been the regent had slipped Enzo's mind. Maybe the other man could have more relevant experience than Enzo had considered. "I appreciate that, sir. I have your number and may take you up on that."
Maybe. Nothing with national security implications, but maybe he could help when it came to dealing with strong personalities in other parts of the government or interpersonal relationships.
Anthony against the back of his chair. "I know there's things you won't be able to discuss for security reasons, but what can you tell me about what's going on down in the archives?"
"I'm not certain. The Royal Historian left unexpectedly and it's believed he took something with him, but at this time, we don't know what or why. He'd been giving Victoria lessons in our history. She overheard him talking to someone in Italian but doesn't know enough to understand what he was saying or the context in which it was said. His attitude was different than normal, much more brusque, but she couldn't tell what was bothering him. She thought she heard him talking about an event of some kind, but didn't understand more than that."
Anthony stared out the window, clearly thinking something over. "Hopefully, Madeleine has some ideas. Maybe there's an... exclusive conference or gathering of historians. One that not everyone would know about. I don't know what that might look like or what artifact or document might benefit him, but anything is possible."
"I'm sure Victoria and Jeanette, our acting Royal Historian, will be discussing it with her in great detail." He'd worked with his security team and advisors to quickly give the duchess whatever clearances she needed to assist. Though she hadn't actively worked in the field since not long after she married Anthony, she had kept up to date and continued to keep her skills sharp. "I am curious how you arrived so quickly. I would have expected it to be several hours from now."
"We were already in the Commonwealth. The flight from the mainland isn't that long, especially compared to coming from Eastern Novigradia. I'm glad we were able to get here quickly enough to help alleviate the pressure on the queen and your historian."
