Magret swung around to face Raisa, her hands on her formidable hips. “Your Highness, I’m wondering why she’s here, and so is everybody else. Some of us come from Ragmarket, aye, but we take the long way here, working our way up with hopes of one day serving the queen and her family. All the servants are buzzing about it, but they are afraid to say anything to her for fear she’ll cut their throats.”

“Really?” Raisa said in a deceptively calm voice. “Since when is it the role of my servants to dither and debate over my choice of employees?”

Magret sniffed. “It’s our role to look after you, ma’am, as best we can. We want to see you well served. And it’s more work for the rest of us when she doesn’t do her job proper.”

“She came recommended,” Raisa said. “Maybe she has some rough edges, but—”

“Who recommended her?” Magret burst out. “That blue-eyed devil lives next door? Oh, he’s a handsome one, and he dresses up nice, but that doesn’t change who he is. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Your Highness. Like he’s hungry and you’re dinner.”

Raisa’s cheeks heated as the blood rushed to her face. She came to her feet, fists clenched at her side. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said.

“I know all about Cuffs Alister,” Magret went on. “He used to take his pick of girlies in Ragmarket, breaking hearts all around. Ladies and laundresses, it didn’t matter. Why, I’ve heard stories of how—”

“Magret, Han Alister saved my life,” Raisa said stiffly, resisting the temptation to put her hands over her ears. “And nearly lost his own to do it. I owe him a debt of gratitude that I can never repay.”

“Well, he’ll make you pay,” Magret says. “Mark my words. That one never does anything without weighing out the gold and figuring shares.”

“All right, you’ve warned me,” Raisa said. “Now that subject is closed. Let’s discuss Cat…arina. You are absolutely right. She does need training.” She paused, for a heartbeat. “I want you to do it.”

“Me?” Magret looked horrified. “Oh, no, Your Highness, I couldn’t—”

“I’m promoting you. I’m naming you Mistress of the Queen’s Bedchamber,” Raisa said. “You’ll supervise my personal servants and be responsible for teaching them what they need to know to be the best they can be.”

Magret pressed her lips together so whatever she was thinking wouldn’t spill out. It wasn’t hard to make a guess, though.