Back in the Queen's Garden, Mary was admiring a rare blood-rose with Lady Cavens when a palace maid approached in a rush, curtsying deeply before speaking in a low, urgent voice.
"Your Grace, Lady Anastasia is unwell. Her maid asked for a token to summon the royal physician."
Mary turned sharply, a crease of concern knitting her brow. "Anastasia?" she said, her voice just loud enough to draw the attention of the nearby women.
"She felt faint after the soup. They say she could barely walk," the maid whispered.
Gasps rippled through the garden.
"Oh dear," murmured Lady Helene.
"She looked perfectly well earlier," said another.
Mary didn't miss a beat. With a graceful yet hurried motion, she removed a silver brooch from her sleeve and handed it to the maid. "Take this to the infirmary and bring the physician at once. Tell him it's urgent."
