Carrick returned to the living room where Russell and his boy were waiting. He understood Russ' concern for the boy, but he was displeased at how lenient his lover was with the slave. If any of his slaves had talked to a guest of their master's in such a fashion, he would have strapped a gag onto them and had them tied to the whipping post in the courtyard until they had leaned better manners.
As he passed the downstairs cloakroom, he thought he caught a waft of scent. Was that perfume? It seemed familiar somehow. Maybe Karena was feeling seductive tonight. Which, given Russell was here, had problems all its own...
When he re-entered the living room, he stopped dead. Not Karena, then. Eterna. Oh dear.
"Countess," he said covering his surprise. "This is... unexpected. But a pleasure nonetheless." He set down the candle holder on a side table.