***
“So, what have you learned?” he asked.
Evangeline shrugged expressively. She was dressed as a pageboy, and was small enough and slender enough to be convincing in that costume. She had been assisting in finding quarters for the countess’ entourage, with instructions to keep her eyes and ears open.
“Nothing of interest, my lord,” she said. “Her servants and guards are convinced that this is simply another of the countess’ whims.”
“Well, they may be right, but something about this bothers me. Long travel is usually too uncomfortable for her. And it is now winter, which would make it doubly uncomfortable.”
“You suspect some plot, my lord?” Her hand came up to rest on the hilt of the dagger at her waist. She had, no doubt, a stiletto concealed in one or both of her high boots and anot
