Page 66 of The Bastard's Iberian Bride
He eased open the door anyway. The room was dark and quiet, but he made out the forms of both maids, and heard a faint snore.
“This way.” Paulette took his hand. They crossed the corridor and went down to a door at the end.
It was ajar, and light twinkled within.
Alarm rattled through him, and his hand went to his waist.
Hell and damnation, he’d left the bloody pistol in his room. He reached down and pulled the knife from his boot, silently cursing.
“Ask who is there,” he breathed into her ear.
She nodded. “Mabel, is that you?”
“Yes, miss.” The whispered voice could have been the rasp of a sleepy woman, but Paulette shook her head.
Bink slammed the door open hitting the wall with abang. The dark figure within froze and for one startled moment so did Bink.
Agruen’s valet, Spellen, stood framed in the candlelight, dressed all in black and clutching a handful of Paulette’s clothing.
