“None of us was to blame for business being unusual,” Eleanor said, with a cold glare in my direction. “Even with Frederick’s dedication, we cannot get past this until the three of you reestablish the appearance of family normalcy. It is well past time for the papers to see your faces again, together and apart.”

Richard cleared his throat. “We’ll convene a Conclave tomorrow in London to hammer out next steps.” He referred to all high-level family meetings as “Conclaves,” which made them sound considerably fancier than the sibling bickerfests they actually were. “We fly tonight.”

Eleanor laughed insincerely, a tinkling noise that sounded like an assortment of crystal being smashed in a velvet bag. “We fly,” she emphasized to us. “Since you two so enjoy a good road trip, you may drive yourselves home.” She checked the slim Cartier watch on her wrist. “Technically, you’ll arrive tomorrow, but I imagine you shall cope.” She leaned back. “All of you may leave. The doctors insist that I not be aggravated.”

Richard turned and actually made a shooing motion to usher us out, before he and Freddie followed us through the adjoining sitting room and out into the hallway. The door closed behind us with a gentle click, and then Richard turned on us. Even his argyle tie looked angry.

“I assume this has been an amusing experiment for you,” he said to me, his voice low but pregnant with rage. I tried not to look at the rifle whose butt was not that far from my own. “I hope you’re grateful for Her Majesty’s benevolence in the face of your selfishness. If it were me, I would have had the army after you.” He snapped his fingers in Freddie’s direction. “Outside in ten.”

He turned on his heel and took off down the hallway.

“Prince Dick, still living up to his name,” I said as soon as he was out of earshot. I turned and gave Freddie a hug. “Hey, Fred. It’s so good to see you.”

Freddie tensed, then patted me on the back before untangling himself. “Father’s just anxious,” he said. “She’s never caught so much as a cold before.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Listen, Gran apparently came up because she knew you were banging around Scotland, and then Father invited me up for a grouse shoot, but I’d no idea…” He shrugged helplessly. “I wouldn’t have supported it.”

“I can’t believe you’re up here voluntarily after being stuck with them for so long,” Nick said to Freddie, reaching out for a handshake that did not, as it normally did, turn into a bro-hug. “Time got away from us.”

“I understand. Things happen. It’s been fine!” Freddie said. “Your decoys did a great job. No one seemed to notice that yours was almost bald.”

“Fantastic,” Nick muttered.

“How are you?” I asked. “What have we missed?”

“Gosh, I’m fine,” Freddie said. “I’ve been very busy. Everything is fine!”

Nick furrowed his brow. “I find that hard to believe.”