"Absolutely," Elizabeth said, shifting a bit closer so the man might examine the welt that is rapidly rising up on her cheek. It didn't seem to be lacerated or anything like that but it was going to leave one hell of a bruise for the next several days; to think, the queen of England walking around with a bruise like that? It was unheard of.

"You sound like a fellow from back home. I'm from London," she said, wanting to be companionable while he worked.