“God forbid,” Clive muttered.
“Or because they guess without us saying anything that something is going on about which they have not been alerted.”
Clive guessed he was referring to the equerries who were always hovering in attendance and who believed it was their job not only to look after the King but to think for him.
“Please work it out, Sire, I am sure Your Majesty will do it far better than I can.”
“We have both had sufficient experience over the years in subterfuge to know one is always vulnerable to the enemy,” replied the King. “In this case that is undoubtedly the Countess, although we must give her credit for bringing you to your senses over Alissia.”
Clive looked at him in surprise.
The King smiled.
“I felt from the first time I saw her, that not only was she very beauti
