He quickened his pace and moved ahead, placing himself between Madeleine and Livia before the princess could take a fuller measure of her.
Slowly, Madeleine pulled the veil back from her face.
"Stephen?" she called.
He stopped and bowed deeply. "My Lady."
Her eyes moved past him to the woman he had tried to shield. "Where is His Majesty?"
"His Majesty is not in the palace," Stephen answered.
She stepped closer toward the woman. Stephen shifted instinctively, but Madeleine's gaze cut to him, cold enough to halt the movement before it became obvious.
Stephen's gesture made Madeleine's interest sharpen. Her eyes swept over the stranger from head to toe.
The gown was fine, extravagant, provocative. The neckline, the cut, the choice of fabric—everything about it suggested presentation.
