"It is as you thought," said Queen Catherine, looking over her shoulder to Hortense.
"Would another bridesmaid do?" asked the queen.
Laughing looks passed among the ladies.
"If the bridesmaid were Mistress Hillary, Your Majesty," I began.
"Hortense hath been to see them."
I might have guessed. It was like Hortense to seek the lonely pair.
"Here is the king. We must ask his advice," said the queen.
At the king's entrance all fell back and I managed to whisper to Hortense what we had learned the night before.
"Here are news," smiled His Majesty. "Your maid of the north is Osmond's daughter! The lands young Lieutenant Blood wants are hers!"
At that were more looks among the ladies.