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“My dear, why send Aly to wait on us?�� he wanted to know. “I know you were busy with your domestic arrangements, but surely one of the girls with experience waiting on the nobility would have served.”He smiled kindly at Aly. “Though you did a creditable job.��
“Aly isn’t used to Bronau as we are, my dear,�� Winnamine explained. “She might see what would be hidden to us. And she has certain useful skills.��
“Useful?”Mequen asked, raising his brows at Aly.“I read lips, Your Grace,�� Aly said meekly. “And I can tell you that the prince is telling the truth about why he came.��
“What? How could you possibly know that?�� the
startled duke demanded.
“Liars blink more when they lie, or they look away while they answer,�� Aly explained. She did not want
anyone to know about her Sight if she could help it.
Only a fool told all of her secrets. “The prince is frightened.�� She looked at the duke. “Did you see he was sweating when he talked about the situation at court?��
Mequen raised his eyebrows. “All of us sweat when we think of the royal court,�� he said drily. “I am so accustomed to it that I didn’t even notice. Truly, the
god blessed us when he sent you.”
― Tamora Pierce, Trickster's Choice