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“You say it with such dispassion. As if you do not care about the outcome?”

Aiken frowns. “My thoughts on the matter will not change the circumstances.”

I push him further. “Then what will you do?”

Aiken watches me with such intensity, I’ve nothing to do but drink. I will not squirm in my seat under his gaze. But the longer he watches me, the urge to do so gets stronger.

“That depends,” he says finally.

“On?”

Before I can say any more, he sits up straighter in his seat. Knowing him as I do, I find nothing amiss. Salvi is nearly atop us before I see him. How Aiken seems to have eyes others do not, I will never truly understand.

“You are being watched,” he says to Aiken, sitting on the stool beside him.

“I am aware.”

Watched? By whom?

“We’ve been unsuccessful thus far,” Salvi says, raising his hand to gain the serving maid’s attention. “Have you fared any better?”

The maid reaches us, ale in hand. Aiken wraps his fingers around the mug, sliding it to Salvi. Unbidden, the memory of Aiken above me, of how my body responded so easily to him . .. I imagine it happening again.

“We shall see,” Aiken says, looking from Salvi to me. Somehow, Aiken seems to know my thoughts. His eyes darken, and then narrow, as if in warning.

Suddenly, the urge to be reckless overtakes me.

“Have you secured rooms?” I ask Salvi, turning away from Aiken.

“Aye, my lady. ’Twas not an easy task. It seems ours was not the only foreign ship to dock today.”

“Splendid. I believe I would like a hot bath. Do you think the innkeeper can arrange it?” I ask innocently. “Slipping into warm water”—I turn to Aiken—“after such a long journey. Does that not sound divine, Father?”

He gives me a look of warning.

“The innkeeper is quite accommodating, for the right amount of coin,” Salvi adds. “I believe it could be arranged easily.”

“Mmm,” I murmur. “A hot bath and a real bed. I do believe I am ready to retire.”

In a perfect imitation of the ladies at court who have perfected their flirtations, I smile at Aiken, slowly. With intention. And then address Salvi.

“Would you point me to the innkeeper so I may speak with him?”

Aiken snaps.

“I will do it.” He stands up so quickly, Aiken nearly spills his ale.

As he stalks away, I feel no guilt for my performance.

But will he take the bait?

31

Aiken

I insert the piece of metal into the keyhole, opening her door with ease. She’s in the corner of the room, just beside the hearth, both legs propped atop one edge of the wooden tub as she rests inside it. Not surprisingly, Hilla’s eyes fly open, her legs dipping back into the water.

“How did you . . . ?”