Emilia’s luncheon was laid out prettily on gleaming copper trays. Strong black tea was steeping in a pot beside bowls of sugar, cream, and honey. The vegetable tarts were golden brown and piled high beside thin, juicy slices of roasted lamb. Petite plum pies, no bigger than her palm, perfumed the room with their syrupy-sweetness. The pregnant hostess was deeply tempted to sneak one or three before her guests even arrived.
But, she dared not. Today had to be just right. At this very moment, heads from three of the guilds were on their way to her suites to meet with her about the sanctuary. Emilia had the daunting task of getting them onboard with her plan. She needed their skill and resources to make this happen. Everything depended on this luncheon.
She had been a bundle of nerves since
