At the boy’s innocent question, Oliver froze. Would Leo tell Talbot about the gardener—which Leo was fond of calling him despite knowing he was not—that Louisa had hired? That she had slept in the same bed as him? Whether Leo called him a gardener, footman, or Bow Street Runner, it was enough to get her into all sorts of trouble. Would this become a problem for her in the future? He hoped not.
“You should ask your sister about that.”
“Ask me what?” Louisa asked, striding into the kitchen like a breath of fresh air. Her hair hung loose, and she wore a dress of soft lavender that made her seem too delicate for the world she willingly strode into. He had seen her weather storms, defy expectations, and yet she carried herself like a woman untouched by hardship. Her independence never seized to surprise him, seizing each day as it came, without the aid of anyone. Many women would already have lamented the lack of a maid.
She had paused in the doorway, one brow arched in humor, but there was something else there too. A flicker of curiosity? Suspicion? Had she overheard them? A flush burned his ears, but he still said, “Why your father wouldn’t allow you to assume responsibility for spending the night with me.”
Again, she surprised him by laughing. “That is because Papa does not like our gardener, footman, Bow Street man.”
The boy sent them both wounded looks. “You are taking me for a fool.”
Louisa reached out to pat his head affectionally. “I shall tell you more when we get back the book you handed over to ruffians. Or have you forgotten why we are here?”
The boy’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and he hurried over to plop himself down into one of the chairs, arms folded stubbornly.
“Lady Louisa,” Helgate greeted. “I’m glad to find you in good spirits.”
“Yes, well, we accomplished our mission so there is little that can dampen the mood,” Louisa said with a bright smile, settling herself beside her brother.
Oliver swallowed his smile as he watched her. Louisa was a force of nature, and he was only beginning to understand how she moved through life without fear. He found her distressingly admirable.
Helgate nodded. “Please, take a seat and help yourself. The water should be ready soon for tea.”
“I thank you,” Louisa said.
Helgate continued, “Miles sent word that your friends from Brighton are scattering to find you.”
“Speaking of which,” Louisa started, “just where are we?”
Helgate chuckled. “Still on the outskirts of Brighton but on the other side.”
“That seems rather devious,” Louisa said, then she laughed. “Oh, those Furys must be positively furious.”
“Well, even if they do rule the seedy parts of Brighton, they still need to be taught that we don’t all bow to them,” Helgate mimicked Oliver’s thoughts. “Besides, they are nothing but tiny little jackals nipping at the heels of those above them.”
“A tall statement,” Louisa mused.
Oliver took a seat across from her, casually resting his hands on the table. “Tall but entertaining.”
She laughed again, her eyes sparkling. “That is true, and though they may nip at heels, they do seem like the sort to bide their time and bite when you remove your boots, and even the tiniest creatures can have a painful bite.”
Helgate filled a big pot with tea. “Then I shall just have to remove their teeth.”
“What a vivid image,” Louisa murmured.
Leo nodded. “Very vivid.”
“So what do we do now?” Lousia asked. “Wait for them to find us?”
“Exactly.” Oliver filled her cup with tea and pushed it towards her, then did the same for the boy. “We have what they want, so they can come find us now.”
“I shall never understand the machinations of men.”
“It is not for you to understand, sister,” Leo intoned in his wisest voice.
Oliver chuckled as Louisa shot a glare at her brother and pinched his cheeks. “It’s not for boys to understand either.”
“But it is for them to learn,” Helgate offered slyly.
