Everyone stared as Livy leapt up, throwing her arms up in what could only be described as a victory pose. Looking amused but unsurprised by his duchess’s antics, Hadleigh walked over and chucked her under the chin.
“What has your clever mind figured out this time, little queen?” he asked.
“From the moment I saw the wordsWilmer Upholsteries, I knew something was off,” Livy said breathlessly. “It just didn’t look right, if you know what I mean.”
Since no one had any idea what she meant, they waited for her to explain.
“It niggled and niggled at me. And just now, I figured it out. It’s ananagram.”
She grabbed the notebook, holding it up.
Beneath a jumble of scribbles and crossed-out letters, she’d written in bold:
WILMER UPHOLSTERIES = PROMETHEUS WILL RISE
Charlie’s breath caught; even Jack’s jaw slackened.
“Prometheus—that’s what people are calling the giant elm tree by the Crystal Fountain, isn’t it?” Livy said. “What if the First Flame is planning on setting the tree on fire? It would provide the ultimate fuel source.”
“The symbolism of such an act of terror is befitting of the First Flame.” Lancaster entered the room; his gaze flitted to Jack before returning to Livy. “They think of themselves as Prometheus, the architect of mankind. Like the god, they plan to give fire to the world—but they will use that fire not to build but destroy.”
As much as Charlie despised the spymaster, his analysis had the ring of truth.
Glory gasped, her gaze on the map. “The dais where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert will be conducting the opening ceremony is next to Prometheus. And suspended over the dais is a hugebaldacchino.”
Master Chen’s brow furrowed. “What is that, little tigress?”
“It’s a fabric canopy used for ceremonial purposes,” Glory explained. “Thisbaldacchinohas been dubbed theCanopy of Crowning Glory, given its elaborate design.”
“If it caught a spark from the tree, it would be theFlaming Canopy of Death,” Maria muttered. “Can we get it down?”
“It is suspended from the tallest point of the ceiling, over a hundred feet up. We don’t have time to get it down.” Glory nibbled on her lip. “We didn’t think to remove it earlier because we were focused on Wilmer’s goods.”
“There is nothing we can do about it now.” Charlie consulted Hawksmoor, who would be working covertly as part of the Queen’s security detail. “Will Her Majesty agree to have her guards establish a perimeter around the tree and the dais?”
“I will convince the powers that be of the necessity,” the earl said.
Charlie nodded. “We will concentrate our resources in the same area. Work in pairs, and don’t lose sight of your partner. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, investigate; if necessary, apprehend. Any questions?”
When no one spoke, she added, “Before we go, we Angels have a motto that I think is fitting in these circumstances.”
The Angels formed a circle, and the others joined.
Charlie put her hand out in the center. Livy, Pippa, Fiona, and Glory placed their hands on top of hers. The others followed suit.
Charlie looked at the Angels, and they chorused as one.
“Sisters first!”
Whilst Lottie and her group disguised themselves as ratcatchers—rather apropos—Jack pulled Primus aside and told him about Isadora Rigby.
Seeing resignation, not surprise, on the spymaster’s face, he felt a jolt of rage.
“You knew,” he said with revulsion. “You knew who was behind this, but you didn’t tell us? You sent all of us into danger to clean up the bloody mess you made?”
“I didn’t know. I only…suspected.” Lancaster’s tone was leaden—perhaps with guilt, if the man had enough conscience to feel such a thing. “When I left Colette, I knew she was with child. But the mission was done, and she was a bloody anarchist, Granger. How could I be with her?”
“She was also a woman, a human being, whom you used for your own ends. Whom you abandoned after you destroyed her life.” As Jack said the words, he was filled with clarity. “The only one who has ever needed to repent his sins is you, Lancaster.”
