Between the flowers and Perrault’s eyes taking in every bite I took, I hardly tasted my supper at all. I longed for quiet suppers at home with Daddy, nights with just the two of us when Alessandra was busy entertaining.

It was the children who finally unbound my tight nerves. The smaller ones had spent the afternoon outside, so they carried on for half the evening about the hounds and terriers in the kennels, the horses in the stables, and the cats and cows in the dairy. Tiny five-year-old Alexander told me he was already learning to ride.

“I want to joust!” he bellowed, galloping toward Bear on an imaginary horse. The little boy’s face was pink, his dark curls sweaty from the circles he’d been racing around the table. The guard seized him with a bright laugh and, before Alexander could charge into my chair, swung him up on his lap, lean arms holding the squealing child fast.

“One day, little man,” chuckled King Constantine.

The boy grinned broadly at me, and warmth filled my chest. “Gemma’s only three, so she can’t learn yet.” Alexander held up a few stubby fingers, shaking his head at a tiny girl with golden hair, then dropped his voice to a whisper. “She got in trouble for sneaking milk to the little kittens in the dairy.”

“No,” I whispered back, feigning incredulity and giving his tiny shoulders a little shake. Alexander nodded, insistent.

“Not very in trouble.” Gemma climbed uninvited into my lap. When I twisted to accommodate her, I found myself knee-to-knee with Bear at my side.

He laughed in protest. “Gemma, that’s hardly polite.”

I shrugged lightly. “Let her. I don’t mind.” With the child’s unself-conscious weight on my lap, warm as an oven in the chilly dining room, I felt natural for the first time all evening. Bear’s mouth quirked, eyes softening.

“You oughtn’t to feed those cats,” he insisted, poking Gemma’s button nose.

I passed a hand over the top of her head. “Don’t listen to him,” I whispered.

Gemma flashed a little row of gleaming teeth. “Shan’t!” She curled against me, and Bear and I listened to her talk about kittens until she drifted off.

Alexander joined his cousin in sleep sooner than he would have been proud to admit, given his two years’ advantage in age and maturity. “Someone can take them to bed,” Bear whispered, leaning over the boy’s head. My knees brushed against the rough fabric of his slacks, and I suddenly felt warm from head to toe.

“I don’t mind,” I said again. Smiling, I adjusted my hold on Gemma’s shoulders and knees. Her mouth was ajar and drooling against my green flannel dress. Bear watched me, eyes still and intent.

Perrault’s voice cut into my thoughts. “Do you expect many of the gentry to travel in for the tournament, Your Majesty?”