Page 38 of Ascending

Lizzy

Palmer read the letter all the way through a second time, finding it adorably formal, but loving how Elizabeth had signed it with Lizzy. Truthfully, Palmer had walked away from their afternoon together a little discouraged, but not at all upset with Elizabeth who was understandably going through so much in her life right now. She wondered why Elizabeth didn’t just call her. She had Palmer’s number. Palmer couldn’t call Elizabeth herself since her number had been private. Maybe Elizabeth had needed to write things down. Palmer understood that. She also knew that this letter was written by the Queen’s own hand. That said a lot to her. If Palmer wasn’t mistaken though, this letter was written in ink she knew all too well.

“I left my notebook and pen there,” she said to herself. “Shit.”

She checked her phone. It wasn’t too late to call Rebecca, but she smiled when she got another idea.

Miss Rebecca Watt,

If you would be so kind as to pass along my formal acceptance of Queen Antonia I’s invitation for the day after next, I would forever be in your debt. Please let Her Majesty know that I am available, if needed, by phone at any time should she require anything from me before we meet again. If you will also please pass along news of my change in accommodations to Her Majesty, I would greatly appreciate it. I will be departing from my current lodging tomorrow morning at standard check-out time and will be making my way over to the stately Holiday Inn Express approximately twelve kilometers from the palace gates and will be there for the remainder of my stay in St.Rais. I await the details of our departure the day after tomorrow. Have a pleasant evening.

Sincerely,

Miss Palmer Honeycutt

Palmer sent off the email, hoping Rebecca would forward it to Elizabeth. She wondered at Elizabeth’s expression when she read it. Would she laugh? Would she think Palmer was making fun of her letter? She had a moment of regret but then decided that what’s done was done and went down to the restaurant for her final very nice meal that the newspaper would be paying for before she’d be back to either standard room service or having to fend for herself.

“You’re back,” the woman from the other night said when Palmer sat down at the table next to her in the restaurant.

“I am,” Palmer replied, picking up the menu despite not needing it to place her order.

“I was hoping I’d run into you again,” the woman said. “I’m Sylvia.”

“Palmer.” She gave her a polite nod. “I see, you’re already done with your meal,” she noted, nodding at the empty wineglass and padfolio with the check sitting on the table.

“I was considering sticking around for another drink, and now you’ve just given me a reason,” Sylvia replied with that same smirk.

“I was just going to grab something to take upstairs. I figured it would be faster than room service.”

Sylvia gave her a glare and said, “You aren’t interested, are you?”

“No, I’m not. But Iamflattered.”

“Not into women, or you already have someone?”

“Into women, don’t have someone, but I’m kind of nursing a broken heart,” Palmer replied.

“Well, I’m not looking for a girlfriend. I’m on vacation,” Sylvia told her.

“I’m not looking for one night,” Palmer said as the waiter approached. “Can I get the filet, medium rare, asparagus, and the house salad to take up to my room?” she asked him.

“Of course. If you’d like to give me your room number, I can have it sent up to you.”

“That’s okay; she’s staying,” Sylvia replied for her. “She was just trying to be polite and turn me down easy.” The woman winked at Palmer. “If you change your mind, I’m in room 1203. I’ll be here through the weekend.”

“It was nice to meet you, Sylvia,” Palmer said.

“You too, Palmer,” she replied, standing up to go.

“Can you actually make my order for here and bring me your house white as well, please?” Palmer checked.

The waiter nodded and was on his way. Palmer had had the perfect chance to get Anna out of her system. Sylvia was a very attractive and obviously assertive woman, and Palmer could have had her underneath her in a heartbeat had she wanted to. As the waiter brought her a glass of water, Palmer realized it wasn’t Anna whom she needed to get off her mind. With the exception of wondering about her stuff and her apartment key, she hadn’t really thought all that much about Anna since their breakup. Shehad, however, been thinking a whole lot about a certain Queen, and that was a problem.

CHAPTER 13

“Miss Honeycutt,” Elizabeth greeted Palmer as soon as she climbed into the SUV.

“Why are you always surprising me in cars?” Palmer asked while she laughed. Then, she heard a throat clear. She looked ahead into the middle row of the SUV, where she saw Rebecca already turned around, staring at her. “I mean, hello, Your Majesty. It’s nice to see you. You too, Miss Watt.”