Charlotte nodded. "Still, I hope you have people you can rely on now."
Mabel looked at her. "I do."
"Fitz?"
Mabel's smile widened slightly. "Yes. Just him."
Charlotte smiled too. "He's always been someone people can rely on."
Mabel watched her for a moment. "He's very good to me."
"I'm glad."
Charlotte said it without hesitation. And that was interesting. Mabel had expected a little discomfort.
Perhaps a careful pause.
A reminder that Fitz was her husband. However, Charlotte didn't offer one.
She simply smiled.
Mabel lowered her gaze to the flowers. "You're very kind, Your Majesty."
Charlotte smiled. "Well, you are a guest here."
Mabel's expression remained warm but she did not miss the undercut in Charlotte's statement. "And I appreciate that."
For a few moments, they spoke about the garden.
Charlotte told her about the flowers growing near the fountain and how the gardeners had been trying to revive a patch of roses that had been damaged during the colder months.
