Arthur slightly bowed, stood up to greet, and politely said, "Madam, indeed it has been some time since we last met."
He didn't say "since returning from Ramsgate" because that sentence carried too much weight and might lead to unnecessary awkwardness.
The Duchess of Kent simply nodded upon hearing this, seemingly trying to assess some stance, but before she could speak, a heavier set of footsteps sounded outside the door.
The person unwelcome anywhere outside Kensington Palace made his appearance.
His coat was as meticulously worn as ever, eyes slightly raised, walking straight into the room as if Lord Chamberlain was nothing more than an insignificant old bureaucrat.
But Chamberlain clearly anticipated Conroy's attitude; it wasn't his first time at Kensington Palace delivering messages, nor was he blind to the stories of how Conroy refused to yield to King William IV on the cannon salute issue.
