at any other time , the incredible sight that matt beheld would have made his chest swell with pride : seated behind a baronial desk at the far end of a richly paneled office that shouted of hushed wealth and quiet dignity , with her golden hair caught up in a shining chignon , meredith bancroft looked like a regal young monarch who should have been sitting on a throne instead of a high-backed leather chair-a very pale and worried monarch at the moment .