Kara woke up to the feeling of somebody touching her face. She jumped, pulling away as she stared at her Head Maid, who looked just as startled. Relief filled Kara’s chest as she recognized the other woman, and she muttered a quiet thanks to the gods. After Marden stayed for dinner with her and her parents, then lingered for cards and conversations, it became clear he was serious about spending the night there. Several drinks later, she didn’t quite remember how she ended up in her bed, but she was glad it was her maid’s face that she woke up next to and not his.
“Are you alright, Mistress?” the woman asked with a concerned voice. “You never sleep this late, so I was concerned you might have a fever. I was just checking you for a fever. Please forgive me for taking the liberty!”
“It’s fi
