Catlike eyes narrowed. Including you?
Jack laughed humorlessly, and raised his arm to hail a hack cab. My dear Cat, especially me.
He knew I was lying.
Jack laughed humorlessly, and raised his arm to hail a hack cab. My dear Cat, especially me.
He knew I was lying.
Mila stirred honey into her tea. She sat at a small table in the comfortable kitchen in the back of the house that smelled of warm baked bread and freshly brewed tea. It was inviting and comforting. Safe. Yes. Jack usually does know when people lie. It was an annoying trait because he was such a skilled liar himself.
Mrs. Brookss sister, whose name was Delilah Rhodes, was very beautiful and not at all impressed. In fact, she looked rather...peevish. You might have told me from whom it was you wished to hide, child.
She took a sip of tea. It needed more honey. I thought you said you didnt know Jack Dandy.
I dont. A strange expression crossed the womans face. But I know a relative of his, I think. Would you like a little tea with your honey?
Unperturbed, Mila set the honey pot aside. Jack doesnt have relatives.
Everyone has relatives. Family.
I dont.
The woman shot her a dubious look. Are you an orphan, dear? Theres no one with whom you share blood?
Oh. Did Finley and Emily and Sam and Griffin and Jasper count? I suppose maybe there is. She didnt want to discuss them. Mrs. Rhodes might wonder why she hadnt gone to them instead of going to her. Does this mean youre not going to give me a room?
The pucker between the womans brows eased. No. Of course not. You need a room and I have one for you. She watched Mila closelyenough that Mila reached up and touched her own face to make certain she hadnt dirt on it. How did a girl like you come to be involved with someone like Jack Dandy? You hardly look his type.
Mila scowled. I know. He likes girls with more... She made a gesture around her chest. He likes dark hair and painted faces. Im surprised he didnt ask you to come home with him.
Mrs. Rhodes, who had said she was a widow, smiled. She didnt appear the least bit shocked or offended. I think Im too old for him.
Mila snorted. Not bloody likely. He doesnt care about that. He doesnt care about anything.
When I said you didnt look like his usual preference, I meant it as a compliment.
That did nothing to ease her scowl. I know.
The chair across from her was pulled out from the table and the other woman sat down in it. She poured herself a cup of tea. You like him.
Jack? Mila took a sip. The tea was delicioushot and thick with honey. Of course. Hes my friend. He cant help that hes stupid.
Was that a chuckle? Men generally cant, darling. No, I mean you like him. You have romantic feelings for him.
I...I dont know. She reached for one of the cucumber sandwiches on the plate in the middle of the table. Im not terribly familiar with romantic feelings.
Lavender eyes regarded her over the rim of a china cup. You are a very odd girl.
Yes. I suppose thats because Im still fairly new to it.
The woman set her cup down and reached across the table to take Milas hand in her own. She turned it over, studying every inch. Not even a bruise. Those brutes didnt hurt you at all, did they?
I didnt want to give them the opportunity. She didnt pull away, but allowed Mrs. Rhodes to continue her inspection.
You succeeded on that account.
Was that censure in her voice? Did she think Mila had been wrong to do what shed done? They wanted to hurt me.
I know they did, dear, there was a wealth of reassurance in her tone. You did good, giving them a little of their own. How did you manage to hurt them so badly?
Mila met her gaze. There was nothing in those pretty eyes that made her feel the least bit uneasy or threatened. Still, she wasnt stupid. She resisted the urge to blurt out everything. Im odd, you said so yourself.
Yes, but how odd?
Does it matter?
The woman released her hand and picked up her cup. Im curious. I know my sister referred you, but I wonder if I have reason to fear for my safety.
Mila cocked her head to one side. No, you dont. You wonder if I might be of use to you.
Mrs. Rhodes chuckled again. Mr. Dandy isnt the only one adept at knowing when a person is lying. Yes, I suppose I am wondering that. Im also interested in you. She plucked a sandwich from the plate and took a bite. As a girl I always wished I could be stronger than the boys.
Mila frowned. Did someone hurt you?
The other womans expression became guarded. It was a long time ago.
Not that long. Thats the same expression you had on your face when you mentioned Jack having relatives.
There was a screeching sound as the woman shoved back her chair and jumped unsteadily to her feet. Come, Ill show you to your room.
Im sorry for upsetting you.
You didnt. Mrs. Rhodes rubbed the back of her neck with one hand. Im just reminded of things Id rather not remember let alone discuss. Does that make sense to you?
Yes. I dont like to think of the time I spent in the crate.
Those unusual eyes widened. The crate?
People, Mila realized too late, did not normally spend time in crates. This was the sort of blurt-out shed just patted herself on the back for avoiding. Thats what I called it. It was a very small space. Good thing Mrs. Rhodes didnt seem to be quite so talented at recognizing lies when she heard them. Of course, it wasnt that much of a lie.
Oh, well, I hope youll find your room much more to your liking.
Mila followed her down the narrow corridor to the polished oak staircase that led up to the next floor. Every other step her landlady took the tiniest bit stilted. She could hear the slight friction of oiled joints beneath the rustle of skirts. Mrs. Rhodes obviously had a prosthetic legone of the modern, lightweight kinds that were strong and made movement less of a chore for the wearer. Mila wondered how she came about having such a limb, but asking might be rude, and she didnt want to offend.
She glanced around at her surroundings. The house was old, but well cared for and very neat. The wood gleamed with fresh polish and there was not a speck of dust to be seen anywhere. Mila envied people who could keep such a tidy house. Her dressing table at Jacks was in desperate need of a good dusting.
Where are the other girls? she asked, finally realizing how odd it was not to have seen at least one other lodger.
At work. Most of my girls work with the Pick-a-dilly Circus nearby.
Oh, I love the circus! Jack took me there just last week.
Mrs. Rhodes smiled over her shoulder as she led Mila upstairs. Its delightful, isnt it? Its one of the few entertainments that stays open after the lords and ladies have retired to the country to shoot poor defenseless animals.
Why would they do such an awful thing? She made a note to make certain Griffin never took part in such behavior. She could always break his arms if he tried.
Because theyre rich and bored, and their parents are closely related.
Mila didnt understand, but she grinned because her companion was smiling and seemed to expect it.
At the top of the stairs they turned right and then continued to the second door down the corridor. Mrs. Rhodes withdrew a punch card from a pocket in her gown and inserted it in the slot beside the door. There followed a series of clicks as the lock disengaged. This card will get you into the house, as well, so take care you dont lose it.
Ill be very careful.
She opened the door and stepped inside, flicking a switch on the wall to turn on the new modern lights. Mila stepped in behind her, and gasped.
The room wasnt as ornate as the one she had at Jacks, but it suited her better. The walls were painted a soft sandy color, with creamy trim. The bed was large, the wood dark but simply carved as it reached upward to form a canopy high above the mattress. Gauzy lengths of fabric draped around it from a finial in the middle of the top frame. It was like something a princess would sleep in. There was a matching dresser, armoire and dressing table, as well.
Theres a water closet through that door, Mrs. Rhodes said with a gesture. Youll share it with Henrietta and Millie, whose room is located on the other side of it.
They share a room?
The womans expression changed ever so slightlyas though she wasnt certain what to say. Yes. Theyre sisters, and very unique, as well. Im sure youll get on quite well with them. All my girls are extraordinary.
I dont want to be extraordinary, she remarked, hoping she didnt sound whiny. I just want to be like everyone else.
Oh, my dear girl. Mrs. Rhodes expression was caught between amusement and sympathy. I dont believe thats possible.
Chapter Nine
How do you plan to get around the automatons?
Finley glanced at Ipsley. They were hiding in some overblown shrubbery cut and shaped to resemble Garibaldi himself. It was ridiculous. He was easier for her to see now, her eyes accustomed to his shadowy form. I dont, she replied.
You...dont?
She shook her head, turning her attention back to Garibaldis ridiculously large house. Thats what he expects. Its why theyre there. Hes not stupid, but he thinks we are. Hes too arrogant to put his safety and security completely in the hands of his creationsdemon or machine. Their job is to preoccupy and deflect any attacks while he mounts his own defensive. A diversion so he can have the pleasure of doing the real damage.
But how are we going to get inside?
Cant you just pop in? That was part of the reason he was there, wasnt it? Because he could travel quicker than she could, and go places she couldnt?
My connection with His Grace allows me to feel his presence, but transporting myself to him is almost impossible. Im not sure what Garibaldi has done, but its as though hes used some sort of Aetheric dampener. Trying to make contact is like trying to use a magnet to attract glass. I cannot get His Grace to acknowledge me.
Finley sighed. Why couldnt Garibaldi be less intelligent? Why did he have to be both evil and a genius? So much for avoiding the automatons altogether. Without the element of surprise they werent going to get very far. She was definitely up for a fight, but not if it made things worse for Griffin.
Im going to climb up the side of the house to the room Griffin is in. Can you do that?
Perhaps. My current form has no mass in this realm, but that also means my tangibility is questionable.
What if you popped up once I made it to the room? You can still get a fix on me, cant you?