Free What is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore Page B

as a Serving Miss for the rest of my life. Just until he’s caught and I’m safe again.”
    He sighed. “There’s got to be something I can do to help.” We sat silently for a long moment, each lost in our own thoughts.
    I seriously wondered how he found me here. He had to have one amazing informant, if not dozens of amazing informants. It was beginning to make me uneasy, how little I knew about him.
    “Aiden,” I said hesitantly, wanting to get at least some basic answers to set my mind at ease.
    “What if I could find you a job with the mask makers here?” he asked suddenly. “They always need assistants for the more menial skills. I know you’re better than that, but it would at least get you out of the kitchen. I don’t think I could get you a better job without drawing attention to you.”
    “What?” I asked, startled and incredulous. “How would you manage to do that?”
    “I know people,” he said cryptically, smirking slightly.
    Those must be some people , I thought. “And what makes you think those people will do you a favor?”
    He laughed. “Oh, don’t worry about that. I have lots of favors in my pocket. But what do you say?”
    I didn’t even have to think about it. Away from the madhouse kitchen, Vera, and the others? “Yes, please!”
    Laughing again, he said, “Consider it done. I’ll try to talk to them tomorrow, and we’ll see what happens. Unfortunately, I don’t know if I can do much for your room without raising suspicion.” He looked at my meager living space—made even more pathetic looking by his lantern—and frowned. “I’ll see if I can get you blankets and things, though. Why didn’t you just bring some from your house?”
    “I couldn’t carry anything else,” I answered matter-of-factly. “I’m not a packhorse.”
    “No, that you are not.”
    We both grew silent again, and I began to feel the effects of my busy day. I tried to choke back a yawn, but it snuck out, betraying me.
    Aiden noticed and stood quickly. “I’m sorry—you must be exhausted. I probably should have waited until you got some sleep, but I just had to make sure it was really you.”
    “No, I’m glad you came by.” I smiled at him. “It’s always a good thing when I see you.”
    “And let’s keep it that way,” he said, grinning. “Hopefully the next time you see me, you’ll be in a better position. I can’t promise the people will be any nicer, though.”
    “I’ll take my chances. Truly, thank you.”
    “It is truly my pleasure, my lady.”
    Smiling at his formality that had always felt more like a term of endearment, I wrapped my arms around him again and bid him farewell. He returned the gesture with both arms this time, then stooped to pick up his light,smiled at me one last time, and disappeared down the dark hallway.
    Shedding my clothes and mask for the second time, I crawled into bed, truly exhausted. Naturally, with my body so tired, my mind decided to race, asking unanswered question after unanswered question. I was determined to get some real information out of Aiden the next time I saw him, no matter what it took.
    I also needed to work on my cover story. He wasn’t one to just let something go; I knew that much about him. I knew he’d drill me about the attack on my house, and any encounter I had with the thief. And if I knew him at all, I’d wager that he’d take it upon himself to help find the scoundrel.
    I sat up in bed, my heart beating hard. If I wanted to find someone, the most obvious way was through Aiden. And he’d be more than willing to help me. If anything, I’d have to work to keep him from putting himself in any danger or taking unnecessary risks. He was a little hard-headed that way. He always thought he knew what was best, and I pitied any man that dared to disagree with him. My job then was to enlist his help while still keeping myself hidden. I could do it, somehow. I knew I could.
    Filled with a renewed hope, I lay back down and drifted to