Chapter 20

For the second morning in a row, I woke before Mhairi, my body unable to completely relax. Someone had only tried to get into the room twice during the night, and I'd managed to sneak to and from Daniel's office without anyone else seeing me. I hadn't noted the time, but I'd been back far earlier than most of his courtesans.

Before either of us could get out of bed, there was a knock at the door.

It stirred Mhairi, bringing her quickly into a sitting position.

“Who is it?” I yelled, grabbing a dressing gown as I headed to remove the chair.

“A friendly mentor, looking to get on with his day,” Yaru's voice sounded, its usual clipped self. I grinned, picturing the slightly sardonic look he'd have had on his face as he spoke.

As soon as I opened the door, he strode inside. A fraction of a second later he spotted Mhairi still sat in the bed, her hair tousled enough to look like someone else might have caused it. He turned to me and raised his eyebrows, his mouth open. Mock surprise more tha