"The only distress I feel is at harming your feelings, miss – Susan," the older man says, in swift response to the way she pales and sways. "Please pardon an old sailor for speaking his mind without thinking. Truly, I could never think ill of my friend and king, nor of any he cares for. And it's been long years since the Queen was lost."

He grimaces, conscious of his failings of speech. "Forgive me. I spoke out of turn."