It wasn't as if the Count had any choice - there was no meaningful difference between the Queen's wish and her command, at least not in such a simple, social matter. He passed over the comment about the Duchess's exterior - the polite thing to do - and acquiesced to the royal request with a smile: "I should be delighted, Your Majesty."<br/><br/>He had the distinct feeling he was having a potential match pitched, but that was to be expected at court. However, his mind was on completely different matters - the political dilemma he faced, and the new and unknown problems connected to it. How could he find a way to alleviate the dilemma before the Queen died? Could he do that at all? Could he find allies to help secure his interests? And what<i>were </i>his interests? He had had no time to think through his new position...<br/><br/>Politely, he offered the Duchess his arm. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness. Your house is of course not unknown to me - so I might add that it is also an honor to meet the most recent bearer of that old and noble name," he said in a conversational tone. He was not being entirely formal, either; he had never had social intercourse with the highest in the land, but now, as a direct royal vassal, that was changing, and he did feel honored to be among those old houses - the ones, no less, who would decide the question which of them would succeed to the Throne...