The tavern Anne had chosen for their meeting was a slight improvement over the last one. It had private booths with high backs, offering a sliver of privacy from the prying eyes of the other patrons. It was still, however, a place no respectable noblewoman would ever be seen.
George sat opposite her, a half-empty mug of beer in his hand, his expression a mixture of worry and disapproval. "I told you to stop coming to places like this, Anne," he scolded her gently.
She poured herself a glass of deep red wine from the bottle she had already ordered, not even bothering to look at him. "I know," she said, her voice a bored monotone. "That is precisely why I sent for you to accompany me. Because I know that you will always protect me." She finally looked up, a small, feigned smile on her face.
