Reunited

When the Queen used that tone of voice, Astra knew that it was no use arguing with her. So, rather than point out that she was twenty-two and quite capable of making her own decisions, thank you very much, she did as she was bid.

Once in her quarters, she ran herself a much-needed bath. (To the annoyance of her mother, Astra refused to have a lady's maid.) Then she removed her boots, her sand and salt-encrusted trousers and her underpants, and stepped into the hot water.

After getting herself thoroughly clean, she stepped out of the bath, towelled off, and then combed the snags out of her hair and managed to get it into some sort of order. She put on some clean underthings, and then pondered what to wear over them. She knew that at court she was expected to wear a dress, and she managed to find one which still fit her, though rather stretched over her enhanced breasts. Putting on a pair of shoes, she made to leave her room and ascertain what the current situation was regarding the fugitive.

But she was saved the trouble, for the situation came to her. The door of her room opened and in came Robert Billingsley, a sack over his shoulder which no doubt contained his haul. He closed the door behind him, and only then turned and saw Astra.

"Oh, it's you!" he said. "You look fantastic in that dress. I thought this room was empty. I'm looking for somewhere to hide till the hunt dies down. You won't give me away, will you?"

1. "Of course I'll give you away, you thieving rat."
2. Perhaps it was admiration for the man's cheek in stealing the goblets under everyone's noses, combined with the thought of how cross her mother would be at the theft. At any rate, to her surprise Astra found herself saying: "No, I won't give you away."

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