for a short while.”
Clarence’s eyes shot toward her and widened for the briefest moment.
He was surprised that a woman was here, of course. I rarely allowed women into my chambers, now or in the present.
Clarence turned toward me. “What can I do for you, my lord? Was the club not satisfactory tonight?”
“I am looking for information about a woman. The housekeeper of Councilor Rasla, I believe. An older woman with…” I looked toward Carrow.
She filled in the details. “With brilliant blue eyes.”
Clarence nodded, his own eyes brightening. “Ah, yes. Mrs. Birch-Cleve. She recently left her post, I believe.”
Of course. I remembered now. Clarence had been an insatiable gossip, which had proved extremely useful for me in the past. He’d kept tabs on the goings-on in the houses of all the Council members and important people in town.
“Would you know where to find this Mrs. Birch-Cleve?” I asked.
Clarence nodded. “I’m sure I could find her quite quickly, my lord.”
“Thank you.” We’d need a bit more time to plan. “Could you please bring us a late meal?”
He bowed. “Of course. It will be here momentarily.”
He disappeared quickly and quietly. I turned to Carrow. “That’s our woman. We can visit her tomorrow morning.”
Carrow nodded, frowning. “Would the Devil of Darkvale normally visit a housekeeper?”
“No, excellent point.” I tapped a finger to my lips. “Perhaps it’s better if she comes here. But how? She’d likely be too afraid to visit me.”
“I have just the thing.” Carrow reached into her pocket and withdrew a small object, holding it out to me. “This is Councilor Rasla’s seal. We can send her a letter using it. She’ll think she’s returning to her employer.”
“Excellent.” I looked around my rooms. “She should not visit here. I’d hate to confuse the past version of myself if someone mentions her visit.”
Carrow nodded. “What’s a neutral meeting point in old Guild City?”
“The Mages’ coffee shop. We can get a private room there.”
“Perfect.”
I stood and went to the writing desk in the corner, drawing out a piece of paper and a quill. It took a moment to become adjusted to the quill again. Damn, pens were superior. I composed a short letter to the housekeeper. When I finished, Carrow handed me the seal.
It came as second nature to find the wax and flame, creating a hot puddle on the folded parchment. I pressed the seal into it, then handed it back to Carrow. “That should do it.”
A knock sounded at the door, and I went to answer it, the letter in my hand.
Clarence stood at the door, a maid at his side. Each carried a tray, and I permitted them entrance. They placed their burdens on the large table near the bookshelf, and the maid curtsied and scurried out.
Clarence looked at me. “Will that be all, my lord?”
I handed him the letter. “See that this is delivered to the housekeeper and let me know when it is done.”
He nodded and took the note, then strode from the room.
I turned toward Carrow. “Now, we wait.”
Her stomach grumbled faintly, and she pressed a hand to it. “Good, because I’m famished. What did you eat back then? Or…back now.”
“Let’s see.” I strode to the table and removed the silver tops from the trays, revealing cuts of meat, vegetables, potatoes, and some form of unrecognizable pie. “Looks close enough to modern food that I think you’ll be satisfied.”
Carrow grinned. “I’m just glad it’s not eel pie.”
“There’s no promising that.” I pointed to the pie. “But I doubt it is eel. I’ve never fancied it.”
“Thank God.”
We ate in silence. Every moment that passed tightened the air with tension. Once we’d finished, I rose and went to the bedroom. There used to be a bathtub that would magically fill itself.
I found it in front of the fireplace, just as I’d expected. The tub was filling with water, the clear, steaming liquid rising with every second.
I turned back to the main living room and went to the door, spotting Carrow as she stood. “There’s a bath here, if you like.”
“Oh, that would be amazing. We haven’t been here long, but I feel filthy.”
I left the room, giving her privacy.
The bookshelf called to me, and I strolled to it, selecting a volume at random. As soon as I sat down on the couch to read, I heard the first splash.
Images of Carrow in the bath, her golden skin bathed by firelight, flashed in my mind.
I looked down at the brown leather book. Suddenly, it was laughable that I might be able