Selin Hizli

Are you with me?

I believe I am.

How did you cope with your husband away?

The choices were few, stuck as I was in a rural chateau with only my mother-in-law for company.

But you found a way.

I made the best of what was on offer.

Farmhands, stable lads, the parish priest.

An affair with a priest is an essential part of growing up.

Like playing the harpsichord, it is something that all young ladies should try at least once.

I knew by the look in your eye you had a story to tell.

Pray, continue.

I regale Her Majesty with many tales of crimes and misdemeanors, some true, some half-true, and some pure fiction.

Her appetite for scandal, intrigue, and bad behavior of all kinds is insatiable.

It is late in the evening when she orders a sedan chair to take me home.

A pleasure meeting you, Countess.

Have you found your new lady-in-waiting?

I will let you know in due course.

Sleep well.

Something in her tone of voice tells me that if I were to go home straight to bed, that would be the end of it.

The porters carrying my sedan chair are watching me on her behalf.