Page 70 of Ascending

“Of course not, but Icanworry about you and what happens when thatfriendgoes home, I go to Coburn, and you’re here alone.”

“I have staff.”

“Alone, Lizzy. You and I both know we love the staff, but they work for you; they’re not your friends. Even Rebecca, who loves you, still works for you. She’s not a friend.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ll make friends in time, and Palmer and I will keep in touch. We’ve even talked about her coming for a visit in the summer.”

“Really?”

“Well, I asked her if she’d consider visiting one day, and she doesn’t seem to enjoy our harsh winter, so I suggested the summer.”

“You’ll see her once a year, if you’re lucky; maybe twice.”

“So? We can talk on the phone or video chat.”

“In all that copious free time you keep telling me youdon’thave?Andwith the time zone difference? Lizzy, you’ll be lucky to talk to her once a month.”

“You and David were long-distance, and you made it work.”

Victoria’s eyes went wide, and she said, “Lizzy, David and I were dating. We were a couple. We’re getting married. Besides, he lived in London, not New York.”

“I just meant that…”

“What? What did you mean?” Victoria leaned in close. “Lizzy, do youlikePalmer?”

“What? No. Of course not.” Elizabeth stood up.

“You know that’s okay, right?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What’s okay?”

“If you like her.”

“Of course, I like her. She’s my friend. I wouldn’t make time for her if I didn’t like her.”

“But you’re not interested in her in a romantic way?”

“No, I am not.” Elizabeth looked at her feet.

“But you just compared your relationship with her to my relationship with myfiancé.”

“I only meant that in reference to the distance,” Elizabeth argued.

“Sure.” Victoria stood up. “Listen, if youwereinterested in Palmer, it would be okay.”

“You were just telling me I’d be lucky to even remain friends with the woman. Now you’re trying to tell me it would be okay to feel something more?”

“I’m not telling you the logistics would be easy; I’m saying the feelings are okay, Lizzy. You’re allowed to feel how you feel. Of course, you don’t feel that way… but if you did, it would be okay.”

“No, it wouldn’t,” Elizabeth replied.

“He’s gone, Elizabeth.” Victoria squeezed Elizabeth’s forearm gently. “Dad’s gone.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, shaking off Victoria’s touch. “I have a dinner with the Prime Minister and his wife to get ready for. I should go.”

“When do you see Palmer next?”

“She’ll be at the coronation.”