“Your Majesty,” Matteo is led into the sitting room where Princess Abigail and I are waiting patiently for news of the activity on Minorca.

“Matteo, what’s happened? Did something go wrong?” I stand up quickly and Princess Abigail rises as well. We both must look very anxious because Matteo doesn’t waste time.

“No, Your Majesty. Everything went better than expected,” Matteo pauses and looks over at Abigail and she puts her hand over her heart.

“Is it ...