The curtains in the west study of Kensington Palace were only half-drawn, allowing the morning light to slant in and illuminate the dark green leather-covered desk.
The clock on the wall had just passed half-past eight, and an attendant, clad in a silver-gray cloak, softly announced, "Viscount Melbourne has arrived," before quietly withdrawing.
Victoria sat at the writing desk, having changed into a dark blue corseted gown, her hair tidily arranged with a few strands softly trailing behind her ears. Her hand rested on a quill pen, beside which lay three freshly written letters, addressed respectively to her Uncle Leopold, her sister Feodora, and her aunt, Queen Adelaide, who had just lost her husband.
Although it was highly improper to continue addressing Adelaide as Queen from an etiquette perspective, Victoria insisted on using this title.
Just earlier, during a breakfast with Baron Stockma and Arthur, this decision of hers was endorsed by her two trusted "private advisors."
