Supper was a festive affair. The meal was sent from the Manor, with
Prince Edward's compliments, and Princess Ursula sent Cortin a
silk-lined brocade evening robe with a note expressing the royal
couple's pleasure at the Captain's recovery. The robe was nothing like
the utilitarian one Cortin usually wore, but it was attractive, and
proved more comfortable than she'd thought it could be. It had seemed
too showy when she first saw it, but when the men appeared in full
dress uniforms, it seemed entirely appropriate. Only the two from the
capital appeared completely comfortable in their finery at first, since
they were the only ones who wore dress uniforms regularly, but by the
time the group sat down to eat, her team looked more relaxed.
When Bradford finished saying grace, Cortin looked at him, letting her
curiosity show. "A catered dinner from the Crown Prince, a robe from
Her Highness, and everyone in dress blacks--what's going on?"
"Attempted bribery," Bradford said cheerfully. "For which I can't be
prosecuted, since I'm operating under His Majesty's orders."