Bull’s smile was a little rueful as he scooped up her hand. Comforting her, or keeping her from poking him again? “Have I told ye how pretty ye are when ye sayderriere, Rose?”
The only thing to do was pertly declare, “Petulant turdbiscuits, Bull.”
He was still holding her hand when the carriage finally trundled to a stop at the front of Endymion, and the doorwas flung open by Demon who glared at them until Bull released her.
“Get out here and give yer adoring father—whom ye worried to death—a hug.”
Her stomach was in knots of uncertainty—and a strange sadness, that their mission was ending—but Rosie had to smile as she threw herself into her father’s arms. “I missed you, Da.”
“Aye, I missed ye too. Ye look exhausted and yer hair makes ye look like a boy, I dinnae like it.”
She peeked up to see him glaring at Bull over her shoulder.Oh dear.
“Both of ye get inside. Angus will help with the luggage.”
Rosie waved to her father’s old friend and stablemaster, then hurried up the steps. Bruno opened the door for her, same as always. “Hello, Brunie,” she said, offering him a quick hug. “You are looking better than ever.”
It was true; somehow the man seemed to lookyoungereach time she saw him. By rights, he ought to have retired years ago, but he always claimed he was feeling spryer and spryer as the years went on. “Welcome back, Lady Rose. Your mother is in the parlor with tea waiting.”
“Don’t talk to Bruno!” roared her Da. “Get in that house!”
She heard Bull divesting himself of his overcoat and hat—of course the man traveled with an extra hat!—but she didn’t bother waiting. Suddenly she very much wanted to see her mother, and Rosie all but ran to the parlor, where Georgia Hayle was waiting with a soft smile and her arms wide open.
When Rosie burst in, her mother’s eyes widened. “Goodness, you have cut off even more hair, have you not?”
Wincing, Rosie halted in front of Georgia, as her mother’s hands rested on her shoulders, twisting so she could examine the style. “I hope you are not disappointed?—”
“Nonsense. What is done is done, and this suits you.” Mother smiled at her. “Makes you look rather puckish. Mischievous.”
“Oh good,” Rosie breathed in relief, “because I adore it.”
“Then that is all that matters.”
Mother pulled her into a hug.
It is a known fact that mothers’ hugs make everything better, even if one’s world is confusing and full of big emotions. She clung on, hardly certain when she had first realized she needed to be enclosed by her mother’s arms.
“Welcome home, darling,” Mother whispered against her cheek, and Rosie squeezed her eyes shut, a sense of loss surrounding her.
Yes, Endymionwashome, but for a few short days she’d been able to pretend her home was somewhere else—withsomeone else. But it was just a role, and now it was over, she was feeling quite…deflated, actually. Devastated? Not at all delineated.
“What in the actual cabbagepatchingfookwomble, Rosie!” her father bellowed as he stomped into the parlor, slapping his hat against his thigh. “Ye’ve beenalonewith that pernicious spunkmuppet for how long? Tell me ye ran into him at the train station and it’s only been an hour! Even if it’s a lie! Please God, lie to my face!”
Rosie exchanged a glance with her mother. “I…ran into him at the train station and we’ve only been alone together for an hour?”
“I knew it,” Demon moaned, throwing himself onto the sofa. “She’sruined!”
It was Mother who shook her slightly. “Do not lie to your father, young lady.”
Bull had seated himself near the tea cart and was pouring two cups before he said, without looking up from his task, “Rose has been helping me with my latest case, which surprisingly involves yer family.”
“That’s no’ any better!” Demon roared, pushing himself upright and pinning Rosie with a glare. “Detectivework, Rosie?”
Before she could say anything, Mother clucked her tongue and began to help Rosie remove her hat and winter coat. “We have been quite worried about you, my dear.”
“I do not understand. We did not send word?—”
“Och,we are well aware, lassie!” her father bellowed, and Mother sent him a glare.
