Page 71 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

Seeing her surprise, he winked. “Servant’s stair,” he whispered.

Linnet followed him up the winding stairs, pausing when he gave her the signal and crouching low and waiting in the shadows when he went ahead to check there was no one about. They emerged a few minutes later in another wide corridor which led to the Vawdrey chambers.

“Through here,” he said, gesturing to a doorway. She lowered her hood and found she was in a small sitting room. “That one’s Mason’s room,” he said, nodding towards it. “Father’s stormed off. He won’t be back tonight, so don’t worry about him. I’m in that room. Roland’s staying with the Jevonses. Do you need anything?”

She shook her head. “Thank you, Oswald.”

“Be kind to him. He’s had a rough day.” He hesitated. “He couldn’t sleep last night without you. He’s not really handling all this very well.”

Linnet stared. “Um, will you knock on the door when it’s time for me to sneak back?”

“Yes, don’t worry. I’m a good timekeeper.”

She smiled at her brother-in-law and then made her way to Mason’s room.

XXVI

Mason was lying on his back, one arm flung across the pillow, his brow puckered in a frown. He looked to be slumbering to Linnet, but maybe he was only sotted.

“Mason?” she whispered as she clambered on the bed beside him. She placed a hand on his chest and his eyes flickered open.

“Linnet,” he breathed and smiled at her. His eyes drifted shut again.

Sotted, thought Linnet.

Then his eyes opened again. “That’s an ugly nightgown, sweetheart.” He frowned. “Take it off.”

“Still bossy, even when drunk,” she remarked. When she sat up to pull it over her head, he struggled to sit up.

“Don’t go.” Then he clutched his head and groaned. “Dizzy.”

“Lie back down,” she said, flinging the white nightgown over the edge of the bed. “I’m not going anywhere.” She shifted over to wrap her arm around his chest, pressing into his side.

He made an approving sound deep from his chest.

“Missed you,” he said, dragging her physically closer. He caught one leg and pulled it over his waist.

She turned her face into his neck and breathed deep. “I missed you too.”

“Did you?” he asked belligerently and squinted down at her. “I read your book.” His gaze was faintly accusing.

“You did?” she asked lightly. “You know I didn’t write the story, Mason. It’s an old tale.”

He grunted.

“What do you mean by that?” she asked, planting a palm on his chest and lifting off him. “Something displeased you?”

He closed his eyes. “I’m nothing like him. Sir Maurency.”

She hesitated. “Well, as to that. I’m nothing like the ladies in those tales either.”

His eyes flickered back open. “How’s that?”

“All the ladies are saintly in virtue and dazzling in their beauty.”

He snorted, his eyes drifting back shut. Then they snapped back open. “Who said you weren’t?”

“If I was saintly in virtue I wouldn’t be sneaking into your bed like this against the King’s orders,” she pointed out tartly.