Yes.
He knew everything.
“And it has me wondering, if…perhaps…some of Father’s, erm…associatesmight know something of the foes my betrothed is facing so that, if I were tolearn what they know, I can help him—”
I spoke no more as Carling bopped up from his seat, ziggedand zagged through the barrels and crates, shoved his head out the door, lookedthis way and that down the hall, and then, with some effort due to itsheaviness, he closed it.
He zigged and zagged back, sat down at his desk and leanedconspiratorially to me.
In turn, I leaned toward him, hopeful at this behavior.
But all he said was, “Milady, it’s my honor.Leave this withme.”
He sat back and spoke no more.
“Pardon?”I queried.
“I know precisely what to do,” he shared.
“And that would be?”I pressed.
“With respect, never you mind.Trust it’s in hand.Or itwill be.”
“I…um, Carling—”
“I know his ways.I can handle this.”
“His ways?”
“Indeed.”
“Whose ways?”
He leaned forward again, so much farther, he was out of hisseat and resting on his forearms on his desk.
“Your sire’s,” he whispered, and sat back.
“Carling—”
“Don’t think again of it.”
“Carling!”I snapped.
He shut up.
“You are truly the most wonderful houseman a house couldhave,” I announced.
His face went scarlet.
“And as such, I cannot put you in danger.Not only because Icannot, but also because, if I did, Mother would murder me.Therefore, if you’dadvise, I will take care of…whatever I’m doing to take care of things.”
Ulk.
Lame finish,Satrine!
“I can’t allow that, milady.”
“Well, I can’t allow you to put your neck on the lineeither.”
