"Where is Eilika?" Damian asked Joanna, his tone laced with a growing restlessness. "She isn't with Roman, and the servants I've questioned claim they haven't seen her either."
Joanna maintained a straight expression. "The Duchess has gone to visit a friend," she stated. It was the only explanation she could offer that wouldn't betray her mistress's confidence.
"A friend? Who?" Damian pressed, his eyes narrowing.
"The Duchess did not mention a name, Your Grace," Joanna replied, lowering her head to avoid his scrutiny.
Damian turned away, his mind racing. 'She never mentioned any friends to me, except for one. But he is a man. Why would she go to meet a man? No, she isn't that sort of person. There is something else happening here.'
As he stepped into the hall, he found Maurice walking in his direction. Maurice looked exhausted, his eyes slightly swollen from lack of sleep. It was clear he hadn't rested once during the mission.
