68

After the Winchester ball, the departure was absolutely inevitable, and Victoria slept lightly—well, like a baby, to be likened.

Today, at exactly six a.m., she was all up and ready. The first detail of her search was to head to Beaufort and plead with him for a penny not to leave until around three, in order for him to usher in a guest of hers. She told him nothing of the guest's appearance. But Beaufort could not agree until Victoria offered him another pay of chocolate biscuit in exchange… 'Brothers sometimes!'

After that matter was settled, she hastily slid into Andrew's room, which was on the first floor on the right hallway, opposite the drawing room. She took out all the letters he had somehow pinned into a certain file, carrying it along with all the evidence that was anywhere near it. Indeed, she was ready for Prince Harry whenever he chose to come. And if he came earlier, all the grander.