Hannah had deliberately waited until Alexander had finished breakfasting with his family so that she could speak to Eve alone. It took Eve less than ten minutes to turn it on her.

“It’s no wonder you’re not feeling yourself.” Eve sipped tea in the sunny nursery while she looked over her schedule. “I’ve kept you cooped up ever since you arrived.”

“Don’t be silly. The palace is the size of a small town. I’ve hardly been cooped up.”

“However big it is, it still has walls. A nice drive along the coast is just what you need. Bernadette.” She glanced up at the young nurse who was preparing to take Marissa for her morning walk. “Would you see that Princess Marissa has a hat? It’s a bit breezy out.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Eve held out her arms for her daughter. “Have a nice time, darling.”

“Flowers,” Marissa said, and laughed at her own voice.

“Yes, pick some flowers. We’ll put them right here in your room.” She kissed both of Marissa’s cheeks then let her go. “I hate not being able to take her for a walk this morning, but I have a meeting at the Center in an hour.”

“You’re a wonderful mother, Eve,” Hannah murmured when she saw the concern in Eve’s eyes.

“I love her so much.” With a long sigh, she picked up her tea again. “I know it’s foolish, but when I’m not with her I think of dozens of things that might happen, that could happen.”

“I’d say it was normal.”

“Maybe. Being who we are, what we are, just magnifies everything.” Unconsciously, she rested her hand where even now her second child slept. “I want so badly to give her a sense of normalcy, and yet . . .” Eve shook her head. “There’s a price for everything.”

Hannah remembered Alexander saying almost the same thing in referring to his wife.

“Eve, Marissa is a lovely, healthy and happy child. I’m not sure they get any more normal than that.”

Eve stared at her a moment, then dropped her chin on her open palm. “Oh, Hannah, I’m not sure how I got through the last two years without you. Which brings me right back to where we were.” Briskly, Eve refilled Hannah’s cup. “You came here to visit and so far I haven’t given you a moment’s free time unless you were handcuffed to me. That makes me feel very selfish.”

“The reason I’m here is to be with you,” Hannah reminded Eve, as she felt herself rapidly losing ground.

“The reason you’re here is because we’re friends. As a favor, take the day, relax, enjoy the sea air. I promise you Ben can be wonderful company. I guarantee that five minutes after you’re in the car, your headache will disappear.”