“Poor fellow! Was she trying to force herself on you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Serene was outraged. “It was him!” She pointed at me.
The Fool looked at me consideringly. “This is a grave accusation. Answer me truthfully, Bastard. Was she really trying to force herself on you?”
“No.” My voice came out like I felt. Sick, exhausted and groggy. “I was sleeping. They came quietly into my room. Then …” I knit my brows, and let my voice trail off. “I think I have had too much Smoke this night.”
“And I agree!” There was fine disdain in the Fool’s voice. “Such an unseemly show of lust I have seldom seen!” The Fool spun suddenly on the peeping page and maid. “This shames all of Buckkeep! To find our own Skilled ones behaving so. I charge you to speak of this to no one. Let no gossip about this begin.” He turned back suddenly on Serene and Justin. Serene’s face was flooded scarlet, her mouth open in outrage. Justin pulled himself to a sitting position at her feet and sat, swaying. He clutched at her skirts like a toddler trying to stand.
“I do not lust after this man,” she said coldly and clearly. “Nor did I attack him.”
“Well, whatever it is you are doing, it were better done in your own chambers!” The Fool cut across her words sternly. Without another glance at her, he turned, picked up his tray, and bore it off down the hallway. At the sight of the elfbark tea departing, I could not contain a groan of despair. Serene spun back to me, lips drawn back in a grimace.
“I will get to the bottom of this!” she snarled at me.