[ Secret in more ways than even they knew, but it suited her just fine to be kept in such a way. She had no desire nor pressing want for that kind of public acknowledgement - and even if she prickled every time she heard a dog growl in the dark, she had settled in quite comfortably here. Happy in her in between place.

Would be more in between, after she spoke to the Emperor and made him aware of the only other thing that worried her. ]

Certainly. Who would you recommend? I prefer my teachers to be thorough and well versed, nor inclined to talk down to me. [ Tall order on Barrayar, apparently. ]