“This is Nimbus,” Amilia said, introducing him. “He’s in need of a meal, and I was hoping you could give him a little something.”

Ibis grinned and made a modest bow.

“Yer a lady now, Amilia. There isn’t a person in this room who can say no to you. You hear that, Edith?” he shouted at the head maid as she entered. “Our little Amilia is a noble lady now.”

Edith stood where she was. “Says who?”

“The empress and Regent Saldur, that’s who. Says so right on this here parchment. Care to read it?”

Edith scowled.

“Oh, that’s right. You can’t read any more than I can. Would you like Lady Amilia to read it to you? Or how about her personal steward? He has an excellent reading voice.”

Edith grabbed up a pile of linens from the bin and headed for the laundry, causing the cook to burst into laughter. “She’s never given up spouting how you’d be back scrubbing dishes—or worse.” Clapping his big hands, he turned his attention to Nimbus. “So, what would you like?”

“Anything, actually,” Nimbus replied, his hands quivering, shaking the parchment he still held. “After several days, even shoe leather looks quite appetizing.”

“Well, I’ll get right on that, then.”

“Can we clear a place for Nimbus to sit?” Amilia asked, and immediately Cora and Nipper were cleaning off the baker’s table and setting it just as they had before.

“Thank you,” Amilia said. “You don’t need to go to this much trouble—but thank you, everyone.”

“Pardon me, my lady,” Nimbus addressed her. “If I may be so bold, it is not entirely proper for a lady of nobility to convey appreciation for services rendered by subordinates.”

Amilia sat down beside him and sighed. She dropped her chin into her hands and grimaced. “I don’t know how to be noble. I don’t know anything, but I’m expected to teach Modina how to be an empress?” The contrast of fortune and pending disaster left her perplexed. “His Grace might as well kill me now.” She took the parchment from Nimbus and shook it in her hand. “At least now that I’m noble, I might get a quick beheading.”

Leif delivered a plate of stew. Nimbus looked down at the bowl and the scattering of utensils arrayed around him. “The kitchen staff is not very experienced in setting a table, are they?” He picked up a small two-prong fork and shook his head. “This is a shellfish fork, and it should be on the left of my plate … assuming I was eating shellfish. What I do not have is a spoon.”

Amilia felt stupid. “I don’t think anyone here knows what a fork is.” She looked down incredulously at the twisted spindle of wire. “Even the nobility don’t use them. At least, I’ve never washed one before.”

“That would depend on where you are. They are popular farther south.”

“I’ll get you a spoon.” She started to get up when she felt his hand on hers.