Felix’s body angled, a barrier without touching her. Maisie felt the shield of him, though her arm remained free at her side.
List’s gaze skimmed the room, noting details, storing them, before catching on her. A flicker. The barest pause. Then his mouth curved with a mockery that cut. “Well. You’ve been busy.”
Felix stepped forward. “What are you doing here?”
List didn’t answer. He crouched and set the puppy down. Lilly yipped once and tore across the floor straight into Felix’s arms. List stayed where he was, eyes on the papers he carried—one page in particular.
Maisie Morgenschein.
Felix snatched it before he could blink. “Put that down.”
List’s gaze slid back to Maisie. Longer this time. Searching. “Who is she?”
Maisie’s spine straightened. She walked to a chair, sat, calm as if she’d done this before. “Doctor?” Her voice carried clearly, steady. “Are you ready for me? I don’t have much time.”
Felix’s heart lurched. A mix of fear. And awe. Her mask slipped on without a seam.
List’s smirk twitched, faltered. “Doctor,” he repeated, his distaste curling sharp. He let the rest of the papers spill from his hand. Turned toward the door. “You protect this woman from Vienna. I’ll find out why.”
Felix’s voice struck hard, edged like steel. “Get out.”
The door shut with a slam. The bolt shot home, its echo ricocheting through the hall—less a sound than a warning fired.
Maisie hadn’t moved. Not until Lilly nosed her way into her lap, warm fur pressing against her skirts. Maisie bent her head, whispering, “So you’re Lilly.” Her fingers clung to the pup as though touch itself could steady her.
Felix dropped to one knee beside her, eyes fixed on the door. “That man—Baron Wolfgang von List. Prussian. A hound for theKaiser. Suspicion alone is enough for him to ruin a man.”
Maisie tightened her hold around Lilly’s trembling body. “If he knows who I am—if he questions John’s guardianship—John could lose everything.”
Felix’s tone turned grimmer still. “And your protection. He stole my papers, my search for your name. He’ll use it against you.”
Maisie drew herself upright, voice steady though her hands shook. “Then let him believe the story. I’m your patient. Nothing else.”
Felix shook his head sharply. “Maisie—no. I’ve only just found you.”
“You’re not shielding me,” she said quietly. “You’re shielding the boy. And I will too.”
His jaw clenched, muscle taut beneath the skin, rage banked but burning. “Then every record of you here, every trace—gone.”
She reached for his hand, fingers light on his. “That won’t be enough. If they uncover the truth, they’ll strip John’s name away simply to blot me out.”
The silence closed in, heavy as stone.
At last, Felix broke it. His vow cut through like a blade. “Whatever mask we wear, I’ll protect you. But I will never pretend I don’t love you.”
Lilly sneezed—tiny, indignant, the sound startling in the thick hush.
Maisie looked up, met Felix’s eyes across the small weight in her arms. “Then we fight,” she said. “Quietly. Together.”
*
“That’s not right,”Felix said, his voice low, roughened. “I can’t even take you home. Not without painting a target on you.”
Maisie didn’t answer.
He stepped toward her, then stilled, as though closing the last inchbetween them might undo everything. “If anyone sees us—reallysees us—they’ll know you’re not his aunt. They’ll ask questions. About you. About us.”
Still, silence.
