Perrault stared at me. “It’s two engagements or fewer a day for the span of two weeks,” he said. “Do you not appreciate how ungracious you will appear, saying you’re unable to attend one dinner and one outing a day? What else will you do with your time?”

“I’m not ungrateful,” I said sharply. “I’m just—I like more time alone than this.”

“You have today to rest,” Perrault said. “Have your man take you for a walk. I’ll fetch him.”

“I don’t want you to—”

“Here! Guard!” Perrault opened the door and summoned Bear from where he’d apparently been waiting in the hallway. “The seneschal-elect would like a tour of Winchester Castle,” said Perrault, more at Bear than to him.

I glanced uncomfortably from the guard in the doorway to the protocol officer, who looked very nearly done with me. “I mean more than today, Perrault. I need some space to breathe. This is who I am. This is how I do things.”

Perrault folded his hands. “I’d try to accustom myself to breathing in close quarters. You’re not mistress of your days anymore. It’d be a pity to watch you suffocate.”

He left me with a smile.

The guard ran his tongue over his teeth and stared at the breakfast tray, his aspect bitter as the dregs of my tea. He turned and stalked back through my door. “Whenever you’re ready, Your Grace.”

20

He was as unenthusiastic a tour guide as I could have imagined.

I struggled to keep up as Bear strode into Winchester Castle’s throne room, empty but for our echoing footsteps and a few maids who scurried out as we entered. Two pillared colonnades swept the sides of the hall. Empty chairs and an empty red-and-gold throne circled an abused wooden table at its far end, its center painted with a lion and rose.

“This throne room is ancient,” Bear said blandly, as though he’d given this speech to a dozen dignitaries. “The rest of the castle is much newer.” He stopped before a portrait of a redheaded woman in a wide ruff and crown.

A suit of armor stood guard beside the painting, its empty gauntlet closed around a spear. I curtsied gravely to its closed visor and rusted joints.

Bear stared at me, nonplussed. “What are you doing?”

Cheeks hot, I straightened up. “Nothing.” I’d forgotten myself for a split second. Keep your mind on your business.

Silence crystallized between us.

I stared around, taking in the elaborate tapestries that covered the walls. Gold dragons thrashed on a green field behind the throne; gold crowns were stacked on a blue background on the arras beside it. Bear absently fingered a loose yarn on a tapestry featuring a knight wearing a white tunic crossed with red. A woman in a scarlet gown beckoned to him, leading him off the road he traveled.