What I don’t mention—at least, not explicitly—is how much of this entire situation might have been prevented if I trusted my parents to care as much about my personal well-being as they did—and do—about my ability to take their places one day.

What they don’t share—at least, not explicitly—is what they intend to say to William about all of this. From the looks on their faces, however—Father’s in particular—I am reassured William and I might never speak again. And, I believe, the Paget-Harringtons may be hearing from the two of them sooner rather than later as well. But not before we settle the more pressing matter before us.

“What happens now?” I ask. “Do you intend to remove me from the line of succession?” I swallow and draw a deep breath. “For what it’s worth, I do think Albert and Sukey would do well in my place.”

Mum recovers first. “Well, we aren’t there yet,” she says. I don’t allow even a hint of hope to touch my features. “Let’s see what happens now.”

“Yes,” says Father. He still sounds sad, but the anger has dissipated. “We must meet with parliament, and we need to ascertain the initial reaction from the public. You must prepare for the consequences, Rose. If parliament opposes your ascent, we will need to reevaluate the line of succession.”

“I know.”

“And even if parliament allows this, that’s not to say for a moment the people will. And if public opinion drops further—”

“I know.”

Father nods, then surveys me, long and mournful. “It is a shame,” he says, his voice breaking. “I very much wanted to see you serve this country, Rose. You would have done splendidly.”

This shakes me more than anything either of them have said until now. It is, I believe, the first time in years he’s shown any faith in my ability to perform this role well. Only for it to come now, when it’s far too late.

It does not, however, make me regret my decision.

“We will need to work through this together, as a family,” Mum says. “But we will work through it. Whatever the outcome.”

Father touches her upper arm, featherlight, and nods in agreement.

“Thank you,” I say, and, just for a moment, my brash confidence is missing, replaced by a note of fear. For all I had insisted I would bear the consequences, I think no small part of me had worried I would lose their love forever. It’s always felt like a fragile thing. Much more so than their love for each other ever has.

But perhaps it’s less conditional than I thought.

FIFTY-TWO DANNI

“I’m so proud of you,” Mom says for the tenth time. “I’ve always been proud of you, you know that, honey. But gosh, you have gotten brave. My brave girl.”