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“I guess I’ll go back to the house and do some reading or something,” Palmer said.

“I’m sorry, Palmer. I realize I asked you to stay here for me and hardly have any time for you. And when I do, we can’t leave the palace.” She brightened then. “I’ve not given you the full tour of the palace, though, have I?”

“No. How rude is that, by the way?” Palmer teased.

“Very rude. Unforgivable,” Elizabeth replied, standing up as well. “Would you allow me to remedy that tomorrow night after dinner?”

“Dinner?”

“Yes, we can eat in the formal dining room. You haven’t seen that, so we can start our tour there if you’d like.”

“Formal? What aboutmesays formal?”

Elizabeth took in Palmer’s jeans and a hooded sweatshirt.

“True.”

“Hey,” Palmer chastised. “You were supposed to say something like, ‘Oh, Palmer. I know your trip was only supposed to be a weekandwas supposed to be a nice, relaxing vacation, so you wouldn’t have possibly thought to bring with you a formal gown and heels.’”

“Youdoknow that I have many formal gowns.”

“I know they wouldn’t fit me. Do I have to dress up to sit at the formal dining table?”

“Of course not,” Elizabeth said. “Come on. I’ll find you something thatwillfit, and we can get you squared away in the guest room.”

Elizabeth moved toward her bedroom.

“Hey, Elizabeth?”

“Yes?

She stopped and turned to Palmer.

“I can stay in any of the guest rooms tonight,” Palmer began, moving toward her. “Or, I can stay with you.”

Elizabeth swallowed.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but when I slept over before, you slept better.”

“I did,” Elizabeth confirmed.

“I can just be there. If you’re worried about people seeing us in the morning, just tell me what time to get up so they won’t bring in your breakfast before that. I can go into the other room then. I’ll feel bad about messing up a bed I didn’t sleep in because someone will have to make it after I go, but at least, they’ll think I slept in there,” Palmer said. When Elizabeth didn’t say anything right away, she added, “Or not. It was just an idea. Inappropriate, I know. I’m–”

“It’s fine, Palmer. I appreciate it,” Elizabeth interrupted.

“No, I shouldn’t have suggested it. I–” Palmer stopped herself. “I just hate the idea of you lying there crying yourself to sleep, Elizabeth.”

“As do I,” Elizabeth replied. “I’ll find you something to sleep in. Toiletries are in the guest bathroom, like last time.”

“Right. Got it.”

Palmer turned to head toward the door adjoining the rooms.

“And, Palmer?”

“Yeah?” Palmer asked.

“Come back in here when you’re done?”