"Would you like me to arrange the days on which she is to attend you?" Theodora asked. "A private schedule could be prepared."
"No."
Theodora lifted a brow.
"I will not be summoning her to the palace."
"Then how do you intend to see her?"
He looked back at his mother. "I will be visiting her in Covent Garden."
"No," Theodora said at once. "No, Your Majesty. You cannot mean that. Covent Garden is too open. You would be exposing yourself to every one with a grievance against the Crown."
"Mother."
"The house is unsuitable," she pressed on, taking a step toward him. "It is not a royal lodging. It cannot be guarded like Whitehall."
"Mother, it is fine," he said.
"If an assassin can breach Whitehall, beneath our very noses, then what do you think waits outside?"
"I said," he replied, "I will be fine."
"Your Majesty," she whispered, and then her voice broke. "Please."
