"I work in His Grace's Court…give me a taste and I'll put in a good word for you."
She squints at you. "Has that offer ever worked with other merchants?"
"Not even once," you reply, tipping your hat to her.
No matter, you think, heading back to Duke Ruffino's rose-stone castle with a still-sunny outlook. There are bound to be sweetbuns gratis within the Keep for a young Lurker with a questing nose.
Sure enough, in the courtyard is a young scullery lad with a basket of pastries, still fresh if the crowd around him is any judge.
Perfection