Anne felt suddenly dizzy, as if the world had upended itself, but kept her features carefully schooled as she closed her eyes and drew a slow breath. How she wished that she could believe Aramis and his well-meaning sentiment, but with every moment that ticked by, the dread constricting her chest seemed to draw tighter. It would take a great deal more than courage and good intentions to put things right again.

"They must be told," she decided, opening her eyes again as her posture stiffened. "And quickly. We cannot lose any more time."