For several days, Lina Riley received no word from The Princess Royal. Dutifully tending her official duties, she found herself missing the princess despite her best efforts. The calming sachet had been sent back, which only heightened Lina's concern about The Princess Royal's poor sleep. And yet, these days, Lina couldn't even catch a glimpse of her.
At least there was news from Willa Langley, who wrote that she and Winnie Wren had arrived ahead of schedule, so Lina needn't worry.
Under the amber glow of a lamp, Lina painstakingly deciphered Willa's scrawled letter—her handwriting was so atrocious that Lina nearly had to pin her eyes to the paper. At last, she grasped its contents, rubbing her aching eyes. She grumbled, "Her penmanship's out to kill me."
