Richard led Christina deep into the palace, through the library and gallery, by the Blue Room, past the Yellow Room, beyond the Red Room, into the White Room and down a hidden staircase. It would have been faster to use the tunnels, but he did not want to reveal the existence of the secret passageways. Only members of the royal family and the royal advisor were privy to that information. And no matter what Mother might believe, Christina Armstrong would never become a de Thierry.
“Is it much farther, Your Highness?”
“We shall be there shortly.” She sounded out of breath, so Richard stopped. “Would you like to rest?”
“No, thanks. The sooner we get there, the sooner this ring comes off my finger.”
The expectant look in her eyes made him hesitate. The sight of her made him do a double tak
