“I… Thank you. For always helping me. Even when it’s my own fault.”
“I’ll always help you. All you have to do is ask.”
“So I didn’t need to kidnap you?”
“Abduct—kidnapping is for children. And no. I would have insisted on a proper carriage and chaperone. And an actual explanation. But I will always help you.”
Something in my chest tightened strangely. It wasn’t new information. Deep down, I’d known all along that he would help. But to hear it so plainly…
“We’re going to Scotland,” I supplied. It was a pathetic concession, but he deserved the answers Icouldgive him.
“Yes, I’d figured that out.”
“When?”
“Around the time we joined the North Road.”
If I couldn’t offer him information, there was but one thing left. “Do you want to share my fairy cake?”
The question earned me a full laugh, a rarity from him. I wished there was some light in the carriage, I wanted to see if his smile was a match. “Do you really need to ask?”
“No, I know very well the answer to that question. You adore fairy cakes.”
“I do.”
KIT
A trusting woman, she handed me the fairy cake while she dug through the trunk for something else. Whatever it was, she pulled it out with a triumphant, “Aha!”
“What is it?”
“Whiskey,” she retorted, holding the bottle up with a glee I could sense in the darkness.
“You didn’t…”
“I did.” She uncorked the bottle and took a swig before plugging it back up. “Is my little cake thing in one piece?”
“By virtue of my honor as a gentleman only.”
“Hand it over.”
The tree cover lightened or the moon had risen above it because the carriage brightened a little and I caught sight of her expectant hand. Reluctantly I handed over the treat.
The little sound she made when she bit into the delicacy made me grateful for the remaining darkness.
Distractedly, she passed the bottle of whiskey to me. “We’re sharing this as well?”
“Not if you don’t want to…”
The taste was familiar, a gentle caramel burn—her pirate whiskey. “So you’re still investing?” I asked.
She froze for a second, fairy cake raised to her lips. “How did you know?”
I shook the bottle at her in response. “Also, your friends up front. Oh, and I’ve an agreement with Annie and Grace.”
“You— What sort of agreement?” Lady Davina’s voice was high and tighter than usual—suspicious.
“I just wanted to be sure they’d treat you fairly. And a solicitor on the up-and-up lends legitimacy to their distillery.”
