“The calligrapher sent one for your approval.”

“Yes, here.” Brie took out the heavy, cream-colored paper and skimmed over the exquisite scroll. Each of the seven courses was complemented by a different wine. She’d selected each herself. Every dish that would be served had been of her choosing. It was a meal even the most rigid or fussy of gourmets would applaud. It wasn’t merely flawless, but a work of art, both on paper and in reality. It made her temper boil over.

“I won’t tolerate it.” She slammed the menu down and sprang up to pace.

“The menu isn’t suitable, Your Highness?”

“Not suitable?” With a laugh Brie dug her hands in her pockets. “It’s perfection. Call the calligrapher and tell him to go ahead with them. The fifty who dine with us on the evening of the ball will have a dinner they won’t forget. I’ve seen to that, haven’t I?” Passion brimming in her eyes she whirled back. “I’ve arranged a lasting memory for a select few.”

Unsure how to respond, Janet remained by the file with the papers still in her hand. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Yet even my father denies me the same courtesy.”

“I’m sure you misunderstand,” Janet began. “Prince Armand—”

“Has chosen to make decisions for me,” Brie finished in a rush. “To play games, to conceal. I know that. I know that, though there are hundreds of other things I don’t know. But I will know.” Brie curled her hands into fists. “And soon.”

“You’re upset.” Janet set the papers aside, neat and orderly, to be dealt with later. “I’ll order you some coffee.”

“Wait.” Brie took a step forward. “Who sees to my coffee, Janet?”

Thrown off by the demand in Brie’s tone, Janet set the phone down again. “Why, the kitchen, of course, Your Highness. I’ll just ring down and—”

It ran through Brie’s mind that she had no idea where the kitchens were. Had she ever? “Does the kitchen also prepare a thermos for me when I require one?” Her pulse had begun to beat too fast as she took the next step. “On an outing, Janet.”

Janet made a flustered little gesture with her hands. “You prefer your coffee very strong. Habitually the old retainer brews it for you. The old Russian woman.”

“Nanny,” Brie murmured. It wasn’t what she wanted to hear.

“I’ve often heard you joke that her coffee could stand firm without the thermos.” Janet gave a little smile as if to lighten the mood. “She brews it in her room and refuses to give the cook the recipe.”

“So she brings me the thermos before I go out.”

“Traditionally, Your Highness. In the same way Prince Bennett will take her, rather than his valet, a shirt if the button’s loose.”

Nausea came and was forced away. “A very old and trusted member of the family.”

“She would consider herself more than staff, yes, Your Highness. The Princess Elizabeth would often take her rather than a personal maid when she traveled.”