As they entered, she saw the Prime Minister and the Queen Mother at the far end of the room.
Feeling rather like a naughty schoolgirl, Zosina walked towards them.
Then, as the Regent moved beside her, the Prime Minister came to meet them.
Zosina drew in her breath trying frantically to find words in which to express how sorry she was.
But to her surprise as they met in the centre of the salon, the Prime Minister was looking directly at the Regent.
As if he was also surprised, he stopped moving and Zosina did the same.
“It is with deep regret, sire,” the Prime Minister said in a low voice, “that I bring you bad news.”
“Bad news?” the Regent questioned.
There was no doubt by the way he spoke, that this was not what he had expected.
“We learned a few hours ago,” the Prime Minister we
