Sir Simon Cringworthy was confused. Halfway through his journey from his country estate to Court, he suddenly realized that he’d been holding his map in the wrong position thereby going south when he should have been going east. Now he was certain to lose the race against his wife for Queen Pirouette’s ear. The ruin that was his marriage had been the number one topic among gossips for more than a year now. If Lady Cringworthy got to Court before him, my lord would find all opportunities for preferment shrivel and fade before his very eyes.