"For the time being, Rachel will stay with us at the cardinal's mansion, serving Sophia as her maid," he said.
Tilia looked up at him, startled. "You all intend to live with the cardinal?"
Her surprise, in turn, startled Daoud. But then he saw that her eyes were too firmly fixed upon him, and knew that she was dissembling.
"As Morgiana, did you not approve this arrangement with my lord the sultan?"
She shrugged. "That was when we thought you were coming alone."
"Sophia and Lorenzo will be of great help to us. We will give it out that I am the cardinal's guest. Lorenzo will be my servant, Giancarlo. And Sophia will be the cardinal's niece."
"Hm." Tilia frowned. "I am very hungry. Let me sample the delicacies your Greek woman bought in Bagnioregio. Then I will go back to the city and send word to the cardinal of what you have told me."
Daoud heard the false note in her voice and bristled with suspicion.
And you would keep me waiting out here while you warn him of what a danger I am to him.
"I will tell him everything myself."