“And your mother.”
She shook her head. “You know, I would have thought that they would have done something by now about us being wed. I don’t like that it’s so quiet.”
“Mm, quiet is never good. But we shall just have to wait and see.”
They came to a stop and Silas leaned his head out of the window. He caught sight of Benedict, waiting on his horse. “Ahoy there,” he called and grinned.
Benedict ignored him, simply turning his horse as the carriage came alongside.
He leaned down to greet Helena. “Your Grace. Silas said you would be joining us. I thought it was a joke.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “I want to help.”
“This is dangerous work,” he said solemnly.
“I know,” she replied earnestly, “and I promise to follow your and Silas’s instructions. But this is also my fight.”
Benedict sighed. “What a delight! Finally, something with a sense of humor. Though you must promise to behave, Your Grace. These are dangerous times.”
“I promise.”
Silas and Benedict exchanged glances. There was reproach in Benedict’s eyes, and Silas could not blame him for that. This was not a game, and they did not ever bring their women into their work. But Silas also understood Helena’s need to do something. He saw no harm in bringing her with him to London. It was a magnificent cover for their real purpose.
I might even take her to a ball. Who knows?
Silas had never voluntarily attended a ball in his life, but there was always a first time for everything. They stopped at an inn for the night even though they had made good time and if they pushed on, they could have arrived in London by midnight. But Silas did not know what was waiting for them and didn’t want to risk running into brigands or even an ambush arranged by James Porter.
Benedict was inclined to agree.
“In the morning, I shall ride ahead and see what’s what.”
“On your own?” Silas asked in disbelief.
Benedict huffed. “I am perfectly capable of carrying out reconnaissance without help.”
Silas put up his hands in surrender. “Very well. Go on your way. We shall await your report.”
Benedict gave a mock salute and took off on his horse. Helena watched him go, a frown on her face. “Will he be all right?”
Silas nodded. “He might like to make light of things, but he is always careful.”
“Good,” she said before turning to go back into the inn.
He watched her go with bemusement.
Helena could not recall the last time she had been in London. Everything was much louder and dirtier than she was used to. She could feel herself becoming tenser the further into London they rode.
She tried to put on a brave face because she could feel Silas watching her, but she suspected that she wasn’t fooling him.
“You know, you can just stay at my townhouse and wait for us. You do not have to do anything or go anywhere,” he said gently.
She shook her head. “No, I want to help. I came to help. Just because the city is very loud doesn’t mean I should come over all precious about it. I’m not a shrinking violet.”
“I know you’re not,” he said, watching her closely. “But this is dangerous work, and I wouldn’t blame you if?—”
“I said I’m fine,” she replied more sharply than she meant to. With a sigh, she sent him an apologetic glance. “I can do this. At the moment I’m just…tired. It’s been a long journey and the bed at the inn may have reminded me a little of the convent. But I shall be fine.”
He nodded, accepting her word as he looked forward again. Benedict had ridden ahead to alert the household of their pending arrival since he was much faster on his horse.
