Finally, Johanna managed to cut off the visit by politely refusing tea “because I have to be back to help my husband with the midday meal.” It was only a half-lie. Roald would happily eat by himself—just the applesauce, and he’d leave the rest—but it finally did the trick. After asking Johanna about her earlier unofficial wedding, and announcing, “We can’t have a king be married in old farmer’s clothes and dirty jacket,” Johanna and Nellie were finally allowed to go. The same guard who had brought them in—and who had been waiting patiently by the door—accompanied them to the gate.
Johanna kept her silence until they were safely in the market square.
“Why in all of the heaven’s name does that woman think she owns me?”
Nellie frowned at her. “What do you mean? I don’t understand. She is j
