Chapter 1

A time-traveler named Sophia Nolan arrived at court and promptly declared war on propriety.

One day, she kicked Lady Laurel, the next she slapped Lady Rose, and by the following afternoon, she was shouting curses at Lady Jocelyn.

Then she set her sights on me, Elizabeth Sterling, the Queen.

Before I could even react, my husband, King Charles Palmer, yanked her back by the arm and hissed under his breath, "Stop picking fights you can't win.

"Her father commands the royal armies. Even I shall rely on her protection. Why on earth would you provoke Elizabeth?"

*****

When Lady Laurel was kicked, I was walking through the palace gardens, admiring the late-summer blooms.

About thirty feet away, Laurel stumbled and hit the ground with a sharp cry.

"Your rules are for you," the strange girl snapped. "Not for me. Why should I care what any of you say?"

Furious, Laurel pointed a trembling finger. "How dare you strike me? Guards, seize this insolent wench!"

"Who would dare?" The girl lifted her chin defiantly. "Charles Palmer himself brought me here. Try it, if you've got a death wish."

I watched her arrogant display and turned to my maid, Violet. "Who is she?"

"Your Majesty, she's the traveler His Majesty brought to court this morning. Sophia Nolan. Lady Laurel was meant to help her settle in, but it seems they quarreled."

Charles Palmer, my husband, was the King. And I was his Queen.

I'd already heard whispers of a girl from another time arriving at court today.

The rumors were true. She was every bit as brazen as they said.

Laurel's eyes reddened with rage. "You address the King by his name? Have you no respect at all?"

Sophia gave a haughty smirk. "Don't frighten me with your silly etiquette. I'm not one of you. Where I come from, everyone is equal. No titles, no ranks.

"Charles brought me here because he values my skills. But you?" She scoffed. "You're just another woman waiting around, hoping for the King's attention. You think you can lecture me? Please."

Just then, I stepped forward with a cool smile. "And what, exactly, do you know that we do not?"

She looked me up and down. "And who are you supposed to be?"

Laurel and her attendants immediately sank into deep curtsies. "Your Majesty."

Sophia snorted. "So you're the Queen. All you palace women are like canaries in gilded cages. Even if I told you my skills, you wouldn't understand. Talking to you is a waste of my breath."

She raised her voice. "Get Charles in here! I won't be locked up with the lot of you."

I gave a slow, icy nod. "If speaking is such a waste, perhaps you don't need a tongue at all."

Sophia's expression shifted instantly. "Charles won't allow—Ah!"

Before she could finish, I swept her legs from under her with a sharp kick. "Be silent. You're wasting my time now."

Violet and the other attendants rushed forward, forcing Sophia to her knees.

Panicked, Sophia shouted, "I demand to see Charles. Charles—!"

Before she could finish, Laurel struck her hard across the face twice. "Her Majesty told you to be silent! Are you deaf?"

Sophia shot her a venomous glare, but this time she held her tongue.

Just then, Charles strode into the garden.

Everyone dropped into curtsies or bowed deeply, except Sophia, whose face brightened with relief. "Charles, save me!"

Charles's expression was stern as he walked directly to me.

He drew me aside, and his severe look melted into one of boyish pleading. "Lizzie, let her go this once. We don't get someone like her every day. Do this for me, won't you?"

I said coolly, "If we ignore the rules, there will be chaos. Today, she strikes a lady of the court. Who knows what she'll dare tomorrow?"

Charles turned his best pleading gaze on me. "I'll talk to her. She won't repeat this.

"Lizzie, you've no idea the ideas she has in that head.

"If we can use her knowledge to help the people and strengthen the kingdom, wouldn't that be worth a little flexibility?"

I met his eyes, then gave a slight, indifferent shrug. "You are the King. The decision is yours."

Charles grinned. "I knew you'd understand, Lizzie."

He led Sophia away. I watched them go, my gaze growing cold.

Laurel stepped closer, speaking softly. "Your Majesty, are we truly letting her leave just like that?"

I turned with a polished smile. "What would you have me do? Who here defies the King? Let him have his amusement."

As I walked away, I caught the tail end of Laurel's murmured complaint. "Of course. The King always chases the new and shiny, forgetting who helped him to the throne in the first place."