Lord Corvin Merrow smiled like a man who had practiced it until nobody could object, neither too wide nor too warm.
"Your Highness."
He bowed to Elizabeth first, with the correct depth and the correct timing, and then straightened to address the rest of us.
"Lord Vellaroux. Lady Trohan. Lady Spinster. Lord Vortex."
Apparently I had become recognizable enough that introductions were optional. I disliked that kind of progress.
Elizabeth stepped forward. "Lord Merrow. Thank you for receiving us on so little notice."
"The Crown's guests are always welcome in my home." His eyes moved briefly to Commander Renn. "Especially when circumstance has made the road inconvenient."
Renn inclined his head. "Waystation Fourteen couldn't accommodate the convoy."
"So I was informed."
He sounded sympathetic, but not surprised. Someone had probably sent a rider ahead.
