Apparently the evening’s business was complete, for they went to meet the ladies at the Swan, a gambling establishment set aside for women. A manservant met them at the door and left them in an elegant waiting room with a few other husbands and lovers, where Eona and the rest soon arrived to collect them. The two duchesses appeared to be on the best of terms with Eirual and Myrhichia.

“This lovely girl is a luck bringer!” Eona exclaimed, holding the younger courtesan’s hand as if they were sisters. “As long as she sat by me at the card table, I couldn’t lose! And she and Eirual tell such saucy stories!”

Anxious to prolong the evening for Alec’s sake, Seregil said, “I’d like to test that luck, myself. Why don’t we go on to the Three Dragons?”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard of your very interesting performance there,” Ania said with a knowing smile. “I wonder if they’ll allow you in again?”

“Or perhaps a repeat performance will be required,” Eirual teased.

“If the former, dear ladies, then I know I am welcome at the Drake. And if the latter, well …” He trailed off suggestively.

“I fear we must beg off,” said Laneus, much to his wife’s disappointment. “I don’t care for such pursuits, but the rest of you go on.”

Bilairy’s Balls! Seregil cursed inwardly, trying to gauge how much time had passed, though the only emotion he allowed to show was disappointment. “Perhaps you’re right. I should probably go home and see how poor Alec is doing.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’ll be asleep by now,” Malthus chided. “Come, just a few games and then we’ll let you go.”

Duchess Ania slipped an arm through his. “Please, Seregil. I really do want to see if they’ll make you disrobe again! Marquise Rela was there, and told me you were quite the handsome sight. I won’t take no for an answer, my dear!”

Alec was in the library, searching without much hope of success, when he heard voices outside the door.

“I didn’t want to leave!” a woman was saying angrily.

A male murmur answered, though Alec couldn’t make out the words.

“He is not! And why should you accept his invitation in the first place, if you feel that way toward him?”

Another conciliatory murmur, then Alec heard the unmistakable click of the door handle turning. He dove under the nearest table, which had only a short tapestry cloth thrown over it, and made sure the black silk over his face and the rag covering his hair were in place.

A pair of breeches-clad legs passed by and a lamp was lit on the table above Alec’s head. After a moment he heard the slide of a book on a shelf and the riffling of vellum pages.