'On the authority of His Majesty George the Third, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland.' The claim to France is tenuous at best, but such is the accepted style, and Merriman Lyon's voice is nothing if not authoritative. 'And under whose authority I am serving as acting governor of this colony, in the temporary absence of a royally appointed governor or a higher-ranking officer.'

Hands clasped behind his back, he stands at ease. Nothing changes in his expression, but he is clearly waiting to see whether this answer proves acceptable to her.