Valona told her mother what Sir Mortimer had said and she agreed that it was very hard luck on Lady Rose.
“You must do your very best to make her happy, my dearest,” she urged Valona. “I think it is most patriotic of her to agree to anything so difficult, even if Her Majesty has pressured her into doing so.”
“I will try and help her in every way I can not to feel homesick, Mama,” Valona promised.
The Princess bent and kissed her daughter.
“I am sure you will do so, my dearest, but I don’t want you to stay away too long.”
“I will only stay until Lady Rose is well settled in and takes on a Lady-in-Waiting who will enjoy being with her. I expect that she is learning to speak Larissian, but she may not be too good at languages.”
“Which you are, my dear Valona, and is yet another excell
