Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [63]
"No," I admitted. "I'd like to feel I could, that's all."
He sobered. "Of course you do. I'll have them sent up straightaway. But, Moirin…" He hesitated. "You're a descendant of House Courcel. You can't run about the City clad in threadbare rags."
"Yes, my lord," I said dryly. "That, too, has been made abundantly clear to me."
Raphael ignored my tone. "Forgive me for prying, but I noted you'd a letter of commendation for a couturier at Atelier Favrielle in your things. With your permission, I'd be pleased to contact them on your behalf."
"You don't think they would refuse me?" I asked.
"No." His mouth quirked. "I don't."
I cocked my head at him. "Would it please you?"
He gave me a long look that made me shiver inside and answered in a low voice. "To see your beauty clad in a manner befitting it? It would please anyone in their right mind."
I flushed. "Then I thank you for your assistance."
"May I ask what you intend in the City of Elua?" Raphael inquired."'Tis clear you'd only just arrived. Are you here to seek out your father?"
What was I to tell him? In this elegant, sunlit room, the stone doorway and the Maghuin Dhonn seemed very far away, and talk of a mysterious destiny would sound like a girl's folly. And after all, finding my father was the first step, since I hadn't the faintest idea what else to do. So I simply said, "Yes."
"What's his name?" he asked.
I sighed. "As to that, I cannot say. Only that he is a Priest of Naa-mah and he attended the coronation of Lord Tiernan of the Dalriada. But he told my mother she might ask after him at the Temple of Naa-mah here in the City that's dedicated to star-crossed lovers. Do you know it?"
"Oh, yes." Raphael nodded. "And I'll make an inquiry at Court. It ought to be easy enough to find out who was sent as a delegate to the coronation. Like as not, he or she will be able to provide a name. It's unlikely more than one of Naamah's priests was in the entourage."
I thanked him for what felt like the hundredth time. "My lord, why are you going to such trouble?" I added. The words his friend had spoken in the street came back to me. "Surely you don't extend such kindness to every and any half-breed street urchin."
He looked sideways at me. "You heard that? No, no, I don't; although I'd like to think I'd be solicitous of anyone who came to harm through my own fault, or the fault of those in my employ." Raphael frowned. "Although when you're feeling stronger, I'd like to ask you a few questions about the incident."
"Oh, it was entirely my fault," I said hastily. The memory of Theo's rejection was all too fresh in my mind. I didn't want to frighten away this beautiful man whose touch felt like sunlight. "I was careless."
"We'll see." He rose. "I'll see that your clothing is returned to you, then find out what I may learn at Court."
"Thank you," I said for the hundred and first time.
"You're welcome." Raphael hesitated. "I'll own freely, I'm putting myself out in part because you're a descendant of House Courcel and I've reason to wish to be in their good graces. But you intrigue me in your own right. A Priest of Naamah and one of the Maghuin Dhonn…" He shook his head. "What a pairing."
"You're not afraid to say it aloud," I observed.
"What's that?"
"Maghuin Dhonn," I said.
"No." He leveled a steady gaze at me. "There's a great deal that I'm not afraid of. And there's a great deal I'd like to discuss with you when you're willing."
I echoed his words back to him. "We'll see."
Raphael de Mereliot ran an efficient household. My clothing arrived very shortly after he left, clean and dry and still warm from being pressed with a hot iron. And, to be honest, quite threadbare. Still, I put on the green gown that Aislinn had given me, which was the best of the lot. I felt less of an invalid in proper attire.
I also felt stifled for the first time since Raphael had brought me here. I opened the door to my bedchamber and toyed with the idea of exploring