Page 13 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
He smiled. “Perhaps. What can we help you with? It must be important if you’ve come to us, my lady.”
“Hmph.” I pulled my hood back up over my head. “I will speak with your master and nobody else. My maid will be returning in two days, and I expect her to return to Vermillion House with a time arranged for me to meet with your master in person. If not, I will be back, and Iwillkick up a fuss.”
I didn’t wait for his response before I turned around and walked through the dimly lit passageway and knocked on the door. Allegra pushed it open, and I stepped back out into the hallway.
“Where is my maid?”
“I shall fetch her for you, miss.” She disappeared into the waiting room and popped back out with Bella in tow. “If you take that door behind you, there’s another staircase and a quiet exit. Just turn left in the alleyway to make it back to the main street.”
I glanced at the door marked with ‘no entry.’ “Thank you. Bella, we’re leaving.”
“Yes, my lady.” Bella bobbed her head in acknowledgement of Allegra and stepped in front of me to open the door.
I passed through it and started down the stairs. Neither of us said a word until we reached the alleyway.
“Are you all right, my lady? You weren’t in there for very long.”
I nodded. “Yes. Let’s hurry back to the carriage. I’d like to return before anyone else realises I went out.”
I was sure the news would make it back to the marchioness regardless of my efforts since she always had people spying on Alicia within the household, but my priority was really to get back before she did and I was forced to run into her.
“Yes, my lady.” Bella scuttled along behind me until we reached the carriage.
The coachman jumped down to open the doors for us, and after helping us in and receiving his order to go back to the estate, got back in the seat and set off.
Bella’s eyes flitted towards me before darting away. She did this several times as we left the town, and I finally sighed.
“Go on, ask,” I said.
Bella flinched. “I’m sorry, my lady. That was rude of me.”
I waved my hand. “The tea shop is a front for an information guild.”
“An information guild?”
“Yes. Illusion is their name.”
“How did you know about their location, my lady? Aren’t they the most famous guild in the empire? I’m sure hardly anyone knows where they are.”
“I have my ways,” I said mysteriously. “I need them to find me information on eligible bachelors in the empire who are searching for a wife.”
Bella gasped. “I thought you didn’t want to get married.”
“I don’t, but the recent incident has changed things.” I met her gaze. “I do not believe I am safe at Vermillion Manor anymore. We both know that what happened to me was no accident.”
She cast her gaze downwards. “I suppose you’re right, my lady. But why must you use an information guild to find a marriage partner? Would the marquess not aid you?”
I sniffed, turning my attention back to the scenery outside the window. “I have no control over anything in my life, and the last thing I wish to do is allow him to have the sole say on who my husband will be. At the very least, I should like to present him with some options that I find favourable.”
“That’s very wise of you, my lady.” Bella smiled, and it was the warmest smile she’d offered me since we’d left.
I reached across the carriage. “I’m sorry if I worried you.”
“Please don’t think anything of it.”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to return there in two days. I wish to have the guild master handle the request personally, but he’s quite tricky to get hold of. I’m hoping you’ll get a meeting time then.”
She nodded. “Yes, my lady.”
