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Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile at the woman’s attempt.

“If you’d prefer, we can move to the sofa behind you,” she offered.

“Yes, that would be amazing.”

“Were our spas not satisfactory for you, Miss Honeycutt?”

“What do you mean?”

“Did they not help you relax; work out your tired muscles after that economy flight?”

“They did. Why do you ask?”

“Because it seems like you’re wound a little tight,” Elizabeth told her.

They stood nearly simultaneously and migrated to the small sofa in her office. Elizabeth sat on one cushion, leaving the other to Palmer, who sat down carefully, coffee in hand.

“I’m interviewing a Queen. The closest I’ve ever come to this was the president of myuniversity.”

“Your article about the professor accused of sexual harassment?”

“How do you–” Palmer stopped. “You did your research.”

“I did, yes.” Elizabeth took a drink of her coffee. “So, are you ready to begin? I’m afraid I can’t extend our time beyond the hour. I have a meeting with the Prime Minister.”

“Yes, let’s get started.”

CHAPTER 8

“When was the first time you realized your life was different than most people’s?” Palmer asked.

“Oh, I was probably about four, I suppose.”

“What happened?”

“I went with my parents to visit the school I’d be attending. My older brothers went to an all-boys school, so I had to attend elsewhere. My mother had also gone to my school, but she wanted to visit to make sure it was where she wanted to send her two girls. I watched other kids get picked up by their parents in cars that weren’t black and driven by men in suits. I saw people walking around, not bowing or curtsying to each other. I asked my mom about it.”

“What did she say?” Palmer asked, softly smiling as she’d been doing for the entirety of this interview.

“She said we were very lucky because we had people who took us places, helped us find great schools for our education, and respected us enough to bow. I don’t think I was old enough to understand much else, but the next time I noticed the difference was when I got to primary school, and no one would talk to me.”

“No one?”

“Well, one person did, but most of the children knew who I was, and because they were so young, I think they thought princesses were for Disney movies, not for their classroom. It’s also likely that their parents told them to leave me alone as a sign of respect or custom, not realizing the impact that kind of isolation could have on a five-year-old.”

“Who was the person?”

“I’m sorry?” Elizabeth looked up at her after staring down at the coffee now cold in her hands.

“You said one person talked to you.”

“Oh, my friend Teagan.”

“TeaganGentry?” Palmer checked, recognizing the name.

“Yes,” Elizabeth said softly.

“Your sister-in-law.”