“Yes, Your Majesty,” Evelina replied meekly, with another curtsy She launched into her speech. “I did not expect to be so honored. I’m not a fine lady, you know, ma’am—though I’m often taken for such. I am a good girl, however. I was given a godly upbringing by my poor father, may the saints in heaven rest his soul. If I did anything wrong, it was for love. I love your son, ma’am, with all my heart.”

Evelina gave a sob at this juncture, and wiped her eyes.

“Yes, I’m sure you do love my son,” the Queen said. “He is a prince. He is handsome and rich and he rescued you from a terrifying situation. That is enough to turn any girl’s head.”

“And he loves me, ma’am,” Evelina felt bold enough to assert.

“You are quite pretty, child. I’ve no doubt that he did fancy himself in love with you,” the Queen said gently. “And now you believe yourself to be pregnant with his child?”

“I think it is likely, ma’am,” said Evelina. She placed her hand on her flat belly. “I’ve been feeling sickish of late.”

The Queen’s dimples flashed, then vanished. Evelina began to feel nervous.

“I know we made love just the once,” she continued defensively, having first thought she would lie about this, then deciding she wouldn’t. “But a girl knows these things, ma’am.” She let a tear trickle down her cheek.

“Yes, well, we will see about that,” said the Queen. “I want you to know, Mistress, that I do not defend my son’s actions. They were not those of a gentleman. However, you are both young and you were thrown together in an extraordinary situation, so that I can envision how this all came about. You must understand, Mistress Evelina, that marriage to my son is impossible.”

“I don’t know that, ma’am,” Evelina said boldly. “Your son loves me and I love him. True, I’m not a fine lady, but I could learn to be—”

“My son is betrothed to another,” said the Queen. “The Lady Izabelle, daughter of an earl.”

If the woman had knocked her down with a right hook to the jaw, Evelina could not have been more astonished. She was literally rocked back on the heels of her new shoes. The thought of this had never occurred to her.

“He never told me that, Your Majesty!” Evelina gasped and she burst into sobs. “He lied to me!”

“My son did not know himself,” the Queen returned. “The marriage was arranged in his absence. This must seem harsh to you, but it is the way of the world, Mistress Evelina. You will remain here in the castle until we know for certain whether or not you are pregnant. If you are, we will care for you and your child. Marriage with some good man ...”