“Very different for her than it was for me, I should think.”
“Probably,” I agreed. I turned to go. “For one thing, you had an attentive and loving husband.” Behind me Patience made a small shocked sound. “And I do not think Prince Regal was as … clever then as he is now. And you had Lacey to support you. Yes, Lady Patience. I am sure it is very different for her. Much harder.”
“FitzChivalry! “
I paused at the door. “Yes, my lady?”
“Turn about when I speak to you!”
I turned slowly and she actually stamped the floor at me. “This ill becomes you. You seek to shame me! Think you that I do not do my duty? That I do not know my duty?”
“My lady?”
“I shall go to her, tomorrow. And she will think me odd and awkward and flighty. She will be bored with me and wish I had never come. And then you shall apologize to me for making me do it.”
“I am sure you know best, my lady.”
“Take your courtier’s manners and go. Insufferable boy.” She stamped her foot again, then whirled and fled back into her bedchamber. Lacey held the door for me as I left. Her lips were folded in a flat line, her demeanor subdued.
“Well?” I asked her as I left, knowing she had words left to say to me.
“I was thinking that you are very like your father,” Lacey observed tartly. “Except not quite as stubborn. He did not give up as easily as you have.” She shut the door firmly behind me.
I looked at the closed door for a while, then headed back to my room. I knew I had to change the dressing on my neck wound. I climbed the flight of stairs, my arm throbbing at every step. I halted on the landing. For a time I watched the candles burning in their holders. I climbed the next flight of stairs.