The banquet hall was only slightly less crowded with courtiers when Violet eventually made her way back in. The air was stuffy with the heat of bodies and the scent of wine.
She moved stealthily along the fringes of the crowd and then approached the high table from the direction of the dancers.
"May I be of any service, Your Majesty?" she asked the queen.
The older woman glanced over her shoulder. "Ah, Lady Violet. I hadn't seen you return to your table. Are you enjoying the music and dancing?"
Violet nodded politely, praying she wasn't asked who she'd been dancing with. "Very much so. My feet are getting rather sore, though."
"Ah, to still have the zest of youth." Queen Celia muttered as pressed her fingertips to her temple. "I think I will retire soon. I don't have the energy of past days for long nights full of music. Have you seen Lady Kathryn Danner around? I'll get her to accompany me back to my chambers."
