Page 53 of Ascending

“It just sounds like a family thing, Elizabeth. I’m not family.”

She watched Elizabeth’s expression change from playful to serious.

“You are quite right. I just thought Victoria could get to know you a bit.”

“Oh,” Palmer said. “I wouldn’t want the night to be aboutme. It should be about your sister and David, and you, too.”

Elizabeth nodded and said, “Yes, I agree. Some other time.”

Palmer watched Elizabeth roll onto her back, taking her cold feet with her.

“Hey, I’d like to get to know your sister.”

“Of course,” Elizabeth replied.

“What about the night after? Can I join a less formal thing then?”

“I’ll speak with Victoria about it, have her check her diary.”

“Diary?”

“Calendar,” Elizabeth explained.

Palmer slid a little closer to Elizabeth and asked, “Are your feet still cold?”

It took a moment, but then Elizabeth said softly, “Yes.”

Palmer slid out from under the warmth of the blankets and walked to the smaller fireplace in her own room that she’d failed to light earlier.

“Where are you going?” Elizabeth asked.

“Since you won’t letmekeep them warm, I’m going to start a fire for us.”

“That’s unnecessary. I should get back to my room.”

“Nope, stay right there; you are sleeping in here tonight.”

“I am?” the woman asked, laughing lightly.

“Yes, you are. You’re telling me the good stories until you fall asleep, remember?”

“Very well,” Elizabeth replied softly, and Palmer knew Elizabeth liked that idea.

CHAPTER 17

Elizabeth could hear something, but she wasn’t sure what it was. It sounded like yelling.Whowas yelling? Whywasthere yelling?

“What’s going on?” a muffled voice asked from behind her.

Elizabeth’s eyes shot open. Who the hell was lying behind her? Why was their voice muffled?

“Elizabeth, what’s going on?”

Palmer. It was Palmer Honeycutt, and her voice was muffled because her face was pressed against Elizabeth’s neck. Elizabeth took one second to herself to think about how that felt. Then, she rolled over, forcing Palmer to do the same. Just as she did, the door adjoining their rooms opened wide, revealing her head of security and her private secretary.

“Your Majesty!” Rebecca yelled, covering her mouth immediately after.

“Rebecca, what is going on?” Elizabeth asked, shooting up into a sitting position.

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