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Rebecca glared at Palmer before nodding.

“Rebecca, you have nothing to worry about with me. I promise,” Palmer said.

“Forgive me for not just believing that,” Rebecca replied. “I haven’t seen this article you’re writing yet.”

“You can see it before it goes to print if that makes you feel better,” Palmer replied.

“Yes, it would.” Rebecca nodded. “I’ll have Jenny bring the whiskey and some food. Did you even eat dinner?”

“No, we’d hardly done anything at all, but I needed to check on her.”

“Of course, Ma’am. I’ll send up some food as well. Would it be all right if I stayed in one of the rooms tonight in case she needs me?”

“You may have your pick, Rebecca. And if you’d like, steal a glass of that whiskey for yourself as well.”

Rebecca smiled a small smile before she disappeared down the hall and around a corner.

“Let’s go. I suddenly find myself entirely too exhausted to stand,” Elizabeth said, and they walked down the hall toward Elizabeth’s room.

When they arrived in Elizabeth’s suite, Palmer stood off to the side while Elizabeth headed straight into her bedroom. Before she opened a drawer to find something more comfortable to wear, she turned back around and headed into the other room.

“Your bag will be brought in soon. You can change out of your clothes into something more comfortable if you’d like. I’m going to do that now if that’s okay with you.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s fine.” Palmer shrugged.

“You can sit down, Palmer. I’ll be right out.” Elizabeth smiled softly at her.

“Okay.”

She watched Palmer move to the sofa opposite the fireplace. Then, she went into her bedroom, closed the double doors behind her, and found some pajamas to change into. She didn’t bother to take down her hair, which was now messy from being outside, lying on the ground, and rushing to the palace. When she pulled the doors open to her sitting room, Palmer was being handed a glass by Jenny, who then placed Elizabeth’s glass on the table, looked up, and gave Elizabeth a curtsy.

“Your Majesty, I have your drinks and some light refreshments as well.” Jenny motioned toward a table of meats and cheeses next to the open bottle of whiskey.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied. “Is Miss Honeycutt’s bag also on the way?”

“It’s been placed by the door, Ma’am. If you’d like me to take it to one of the guest rooms for Miss Honeycutt, I’d be happy to.”

“It’s okay. You can leave it here for now. I suspect, Miss Honeycutt would like to change out of her outdoor clothes and into something more comfortable to enjoy her drink,” she replied.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the woman she had grown up with who still wouldn’t call her by her first name. When Jenny left them alone, Elizabeth moved to grab Palmer’s bag and placed it beside her.

“You can change in my room,” she offered.

“Okay. Thank you,” Palmer replied, standing up.

Elizabeth flopped unceremoniously onto the sofa, reaching instantly for a slice of Swiss cheese and prosciutto. She was so hungry; she couldn’t wait for Palmer to finish changing. She at least resisted taking a drink.

“I’m back,” Palmer replied.

Elizabeth turned to look at her. Palmer was standing there, closing the doors behind her, wearing a plain white T-shirt with a pair of black sweatpants.

“Sorry, I didn’t know what to wear. Rebecca just told me I was supposed to pack a bag.”

“No, it’s fine. You look great,” Elizabeth replied, clearing her throat. “Drink?”

“I don’t know that I’ve ever just drank whiskey,” the woman said, sitting back down next to Elizabeth.