Sheldrake and Maud had been summoned to the palace to confer with the King.
A dour, solid woman in black ushered them into the same study that Jon and Sasha had entered. On this occasion she was not glaring. In fact, she smiled in welcome, but her eyes narrowed briefly in warning.
The King was not pleased.
“Thanks Josie,” said Maud casually. “I’ve brought you a bunch of our lovely bottlebrushes. I’ll give them to you after I’ve seen Gav… His Majesty.”
Josie’s smile broadened. “Lovely,” she murmured as she withdrew.
Maud turned to the King and executed a low curtsey, lower than usual, while Sheldrake bowed, bending one knee. Gavin waited a moment before allowing them to rise, a sure sign of his displeasure. Once he had made his point, he waved them to armchairs and took up his favourit
