Elena's POV
I dropped into curtisies first.
Marcus and Cecilia followed me down a beat late. Then the guests we had brought followed us.
Vivienne did not follow.
She could not. Adrian's hand was still wrapped around her wrist, holding her on her knees. Her face was tilted up at him, hopeful and not yet aware.
Adrian let out a small dry breath that was not quite a laugh. "Tell me, sister-in-law. Did I need to clear my arrival with you?"
He did not look at her when he said it.
Cecilia twisted on the marble. "Your Highness — Your Highness, please — she has been unwell — she has been having terrible dreams, you cannot imagine — we have been trying to stop her —"
"You have been trying to," Adrian said.
"Yes."
"Tell me," he said, very calm but stern. "Have you been standing here listen
