Well, any woman who knew that wasnt likely to be a threat. Duilio lowered the revolver and set it back on the nightstand. His visitor had to be one of Erdanos womenpart of his brothers harem.
Duilio buttoned the top button of his nightshirt and started hunting for his felt slippers. Give me a moment, please.
Very few humans had any inkling the Ferreira family possessed selkie blood, and those who did were polite enough not to let themselves into his bedroom in the middle of the night. It was, of course, an open secret among their employees that Duilios mother was a selkie. While most selkies spent their lives in seal form, every moment in the sea or on a beach, shed been raised among humans. But for a time she had lived as a seal among the nearest harem, to the north of the mouth of the Douro River at Braga Bay. Erdano was her child by that harems master. He often visited the Ferreira household, but tonight hed sent one of his women instead.
Duilio cursed under his breath. His valet had hidden his comfortable-but-worn slippers again, an unsubtle reminder that the man wanted Duilio to replace them. He gave up on finding them, crossed to the mantel, and lit the gaslight there. It wasnt likely that bare feet would offend this woman anyway. He turned up the light enough to cast a feeble circle of illumination about the armchair and table waiting before the hearth, then looked back at the unknown woman. Do you have a message from Erdano?
Yes. She stepped into the light, revealing pointed features set in a heart-shaped face. Light brown hair fell sleekly over her shoulders. She was a lovely girl, but as soon as Duilio caught the scent of her, any thought of getting to know her better fled. Evidently before she walked barefoot into the city to find him, shed simply borrowed some of Erdanos garments. The clothesa mans trousers and shirt cinched tight by a wide belt at her waistreeked of musk. Duilio resisted the urge to pinch his nose closed. Even though he was only half selkie himself, he had never much liked the scent of other males.
Sir? a voice asked from the hallway, dragging Duilios attention away from the girl. João, the young boatman who stayed down on the quay with the familys boats, stood there, his sheepish expression evident in the light of the lamp he carried. She came onto the yacht looking for you, sir. I thought it best to bring her here to the house. I . . . I thought she would knock, but . . .
Its fine, João. Duilio knew better than to expect polite behavior from this girl. Selkies didnt have the same manners as humans. She stood gazing up at the gaslight distrustfully. Give me a few minutes, Duilio said, and then you can escort her back.
Yes, sir. The young man nodded quickly and withdrew into the hallway, pulling the bedroom door shut as he went.
Duilio wished João hadnt closed the door. The girl wouldnt be concerned for her reputation,
but Duilio would prefer that the servants not get the wrong idea. He plucked his velvet dressing gown off the end of his bed, drew it on over his nightshirt, and belted it. Then he returned to the girls side, leaning closer to get her attention. What did you need to see me about?
Oh. There was a woman in the water, she said, watching the flickering gaslight as if concerned the flames might suddenly jump out of the fixture.
A woman in the water? That had to be what his gift had been yammering on about. Where?
The girl glanced at him for the first time. Her eyes slid toward his velvet dressing gown, her brows drawing together. What is that?
Shed probably spent most of her life in the sea and would have little familiarity with human luxuries. Duilio held out his arm so the girl could touch his sleeve. Its called velvet.
She laid a tentative hand on his arm. The corners of her lips lifted as she ran her hand over the fabrics nap. Her warm brown eyes were, in the gaslights glow, quite lovely. Pretty. Can I have it?
In addition to their ability to change form, most selkies purportedly had magical abilities in the area of seductionselkie charm, it was often called. Duilio doubted this selkie was more than eighteen; young in human terms, but likely experienced in many things human girls of that age would not be. He patted her hand in his best fatherly manner. What is your name?
Aga. Her eyes flicked toward the bed and then up to meet his. Tigana said I could stay with you. You could give me the velvet.
God help me. Duilio pressed his lips together, weighing his response. Tigana, the queen of Erdanos harem, had control of the harems many females. It wasnt the first time shed sent him a girl, apparently believing he must be in dire need of a woman. Duilio had never been sure of the rules of harem politics and, not wanting to cause friction between Erdano and his queen, hed always refused the gift. Well, save for the first time. Since then hed tried to handle it diplomatically.
Can you tell me what you saw, Aga? he asked, reminding the girl of the reason shed come. Where was the woman?