Slinking away from your admirers so soon?” Rafe looked up at the tall figure in the doorway across from the foyer, frown clearing. “Hello, Coop.” “Knew that you’d be back from the dead, old chap. Had a wager you’d be home before the month was up.” Coop crossed the foyer to shake hands with Rafe. An Ironheart native, Cooper had been studying medicine and high society in Oakhaven for the past three years. Tall, with a long angular face and shrewd hazel eyes, he regarded Rafe thoughtfully. “Wil didn’t think you’d be back before Serenity. Isn’t it nice to know who your most supportive friends are?” Rafe chuckled, letting Coop’s banter lighten his own dark mood. “Where is Wil tonight?” “Drew guard duty at the palace, worse luck. You know him, he wouldn’t change it, though he could. Could’ve had a nice reunion, the two of us, if you’d been more visible.” “I was talking to a cook about mushrooms,” Rafe replied amiably. “Did you see that bright blue stuffing?
