Free Exile for Dreamers by Kathleen Baldwin Page A

resting as well.”
    I waved her reprimand away. “He isn’t safe. Not in his condition. They might come back. I overheard—”
    â€œNot now.” With a stern look, she held up a hand, forestalling my outburst, and turned to our guest. Our odd Mr. Sinclair had the presence of mind to stand when Miss Stranje and Sera had entered. He stood quietly watching her, alert, reacting to every nuance of her speech precisely the way a curious otter might.
    Georgie introduced him. “He arrived with a message from Lord Wyatt.”
    â€œWelcome to Stranje House, Mr. Sinclair.” Miss Stranje extended her hand and, as he had done to Georgie’s, he pumped her hand up and down as if it were the handle of a water spigot.
    Jane thrust the letter of introduction at Miss Stranje.
    Miss Stranje ignored Jane’s interruption, even though I knew she must have a mad itch to look at that letter. Nor did she let on that she noticed anything objectionable in Mr. Sinclair’s appearance. She treated him with the same respect she would have given a peer of the realm, graciously gesturing for Mr. Sinclair to take a chair. “Please be seated. You mustn’t let me interrupt your tea. You’ve had a long journey I’m sure.”
    Only after he took his seat did she accept the letter from Jane, who was fairly frothing at the bit for her to read it.
    I clutched the arm of the settee because suddenly the room began to swim before me. The lump on my head must be worse than I thought. But then I glanced at my teacup on the table and remembered the bitter herbs. “You gave me a sleeping draught?”
    Madame Cho had been watching me. With a curt nod, she stood. “Come. We must take you to your bed.”
    The very last thing I wanted to do was sleep, but what choice did I have? If I didn’t go with her to the dormitorium, I would collapse. Before accepting Cho’s help, I leaned over and whispered sternly in Jane’s ear, applying enough grim warning that she knew better than to refuse, “Wake me at nightfall.”

 
    Six
    SHADOWS
    Jane jostled my shoulder and awakened me from a remarkably dreamless sleep. “I hope you appreciate us disobeying orders. We were told to leave you sleeping.” All four of them stood next to the bed, surrounding me in the dark.
    Wary. Worried.
    Sera thrust a crusty roll stuffed with meat and cheese at me. “Ham and cheddar. It was all I could slip into my pocket.”
    Maya laid an offering of grapes in my lap.
    â€œThank you.” My throat was dry, so it came out sounding garbled and croaky.
    Georgie handed me a glass of lemon water. “You’re planning something. What is it?”
    I gulped down the contents. “It’s best if you don’t know.”
    Jane crossed her arms. “Tell us anyway.”
    â€œIt’s something I must do alone.”
    Georgie took the glass from me, refilled it from a pitcher, and set it down with a firm plunk. “We work together. Remember?”
    Even in the dark, I could see worry dampening the fire in her features, and it needled me worse than anything she might say.
    â€œExplain your plan, so that we may help.” Maya’s soothing voice almost lulled me into confiding.
    â€œDon’t use your tricks on me, Maya. Not tonight.” I took a bite of the sandwich, hoping food would help awaken my groggy limbs. “Go to bed, all of you.”
    Sera sat down on the covers beside me. “You intend to check on him, don’t you?”
    â€œPerhaps. Someone has to protect him. Daneska’s men could come back.” I took another bite, chewing vigorously to hide my defensiveness.
    Hands on hips, Jane gave an exasperated huff. “If they dared return, and I’m not saying they would…” She straightened to her full height as if towering over my bed might lend her more authority. “But if they were foolhardy enough to come back, what makes you think