14
The sharp rap on the door to her office startled Tess during her hug with Piper. She jumped, alarming Liam, who immediately scrunched up his chubby face and began crying giant crocodile tears. After handing the upset baby off to his mother, Tess went to the door to see what the intrusion was about.
Geoffrey was standing on the other side of her office door nervously wringing his hands. The staid butler was normally the perfect example of decorum, so for him to interrupt her during an important meeting, something major must have occurred.
The butler launched into his explanation before the queen had a chance to ask him what was going on. “I’m sorry to bother you, Your Highness, but your brothers are here.”
“My brothers?... Here?... Now?” The pitch of the queen’s voice rose with each
