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In the old days, when she had been armin to the old Baron Saveze, Barbara had felt like a drawn bow, always waiting for another's hand to loose the string. Now she was her own mistress and it had become second nature to apply those same instincts and reflexes when a crisis arose. But when that crisis involved the two Atilliet heirs, there were consequences for that instinctive reaction and Barbara was called to account by none other than Princess Annek herself.

* * *

Barbara thought the interview might be at an end but just when she expected a dismissal Annek asked, “What of that other matter.”

“Your Grace?” She received that look again that warned her not to pretend to ignorance. This time there was no other reputation to protect. “Some information came into my hands regarding a…a friendship that might be misconstrued: some letters to a lady—”

“Another lady?”

“A different one. I believe she’s the sister of one of the Austrian attachés.” She gave what other details were necessary to satisfy Annek’s command and concluded “I arranged for the letters to be returned to their author.”

“Baroness Saveze,” the princess said at last. “In the future, I would ask that you consult with me before you take such measures to defend the name of Atilliet. I forgive the past for your good intentions but you take too much on yourself. Perhaps you could trust that my judgment might be as good as yours.” The steel of the message belied the delicacy of her words. “I know your history, Saveze. You could be a useful tool or turn in my hand and cut me. Don’t give me reason to blunt your edge.”

Now Barbara did sink to one knee to beg forgiveness. “It was never my intent to set my will against yours.”