Caught you! thought Seregil, amazed as the brazenness of it. Their business seemed to be concluded and Seregil quickly retreated to the salon. By the time Reltheus appeared, Seregil was halfway across the room, thumbing through a book on the life of Queen Idrilain the First. He watched Reltheus from the corner of his eye as the duke went to Elani and began some animated conversation. No one seemed to have taken any notice of Seregil’s brief absence, or Reltheus’s. Perhaps it was not unusual for guests to move freely about here. Seregil wandered slowly back to the door, which was still ajar, and glanced in. There was no sign of the other man.

It was too risky to go exploring the back rooms, not knowing what servants there might be lurking about, including the scribe. You couldn’t always get away with saying you were looking for the toilet—especially here.

So he made small talk with the other guests and kept a surreptitious eye on Reltheus, but the duke’s conduct was above suspicion.

Seregil and Alec were taking their leave late that afternoon when Reltheus caught Seregil by the sleeve. Seregil’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if he’d been seen spying after all. Instead Reltheus said, “What would you and Alec say to a bit of gambling at the Three Dragons?”

“I haven’t been there in years.” Seregil gave him a self-deprecating smile. “That establishment is a bit above our station.”

“You’ll be my guests, of course.”

“Then we’d be delighted.”

“Excellent. General Sarien is coming along as well. Will you join me in my carriage?”

“You’re most kind.”

“Very good! If you’ll wait a moment, I will make my farewells to the ladies.”

“You’re looking pleased with yourself,” Alec noted as they waited for Reltheus and the general in the corridor.

“Tell you later,” Seregil replied, nodding slightly in the direction of the watchful footmen. “By the way, I hope you didn’t mind me accepting Reltheus’s invitation on your behalf.”

“Of course not. You know the Three Dragons?”

“I’ve been there a few times. You’ll need plenty of money if you want to gamble. That’s not why I accepted, though.” He lowered his voice. “With any luck, I can finagle us another invitation back to his house afterward.” He wanted a look at the letter Reltheus had gotten from the scribe.

Alec leveled an accusing finger at him and whispered, “I’m not getting drunk again!”

Seregil grinned, making no promises. “And did you and Elani have an interesting conversation?”

“We did. She more or less admitted that her heart is set on Danos. According to her, he’s not only handsome, but a poet and an excellent archer. And he makes her laugh.”

“Good marriages have been made on less. What about the attentive young officer today?”