Page 12 of Appointing

“We try not to bring staff with us when we’re here when we can. It gives the kids some semblance of normalcy. And my wife, too, I suppose,” Elizabeth added as Palmer stood.

“We’re not too good to clean up after ourselves,” Palmer said, walking out of the room.

“Tell me where it is, and I’ll get it,” Elin replied. “I’m so sorry.”

“Ma’am, allow me, please.” Ingrid walked over and knelt down, picking up the glass, which hadn’t broken. She put the ice cubes back inside it, along with the lemon slice that had fallen off the rim. “Not a problem.” She placed it back on the table. “Would you like me to get you another glass?”

“No, I–” Elin was so caught in that moment by Ingrid’s green eyes that she couldn’t speak.

“I’ll pour it for you,” Elizabeth offered.

“Your Majesty, please, allow me.” Ingrid stood up and walked over to the end of the table, where there was a pitcher half-full of iced tea.

Elin noticed that there was now a wet stain on the knee of Ingrid’s light-brown dress pants.

“Ingrid, you–” She reached out and touched the spot, for some reason, before quickly retracting her hand.

“I have a spare pair of pants, Ma’am. I’ll go change.”

“I’ve got the stuff,” Palmer announced, walking back into the room carrying a rag and a spray container.

“Let me, please, Your Highness,” Ingrid said.

“It’s just Palmer,” Palmer replied.

“My wife is not one for formalities,” Elizabeth added.

Palmer knelt on the carpet in front of Elin and began to clean up the iced tea spill.

“Please, let me do that. I’m the one that dropped it.”

“It’s fine,” Palmer told her. “I’m almost done.”

“Ma’am, I should change,” Ingrid said, looking down at her pants.

“Of course. What is it you came in for, Ingrid?” she asked.

“I wanted to let you know that we received another donation of one million kroner for the foundation,” she replied. “I thought you would want to know.”

“That’s great. Thank you,” Elin said, nodding at Ingrid. “I’ll pay for your dry-cleaning or a new pair of pants… um… if you need them.”

Ingrid smiled at her and said, “It’s only iced tea, Ma’am. It’ll wash out.”

“Right. Of course,” Elin replied.

“Your Majesties,” Ingrid offered with a bow and left the room.

“Okay. What wasthatabout?” Elizabeth asked.

“What?” Elin asked back.

Palmer sat down next to Elizabeth, choosing to put the cleaning supplies away later.

“Yeah, something you want to tell us there, Elin?” she asked.

“I don’t know–”

“I’ve seen you with Ingrid at least three times by now, and I swear, every time that woman walks into a room, you freeze up, drop something, or can’t speak,” Elizabeth noted.

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