Mary was a spitfire and would never be anything more to him, even if that kiss had taken him places he’d never thought he’d want to go with her. She was most definitely not his destiny!
Was Madame Lucienne in danger? Was she involved in what had happened in Lord Blackhall’s home? There was only one way to find out the answers to these questions. He would have to talk to Plunge. The thought was not a happy one.
CHAPTERNINE
Aweek had passed since the Hatton ball and the first kiss Zachariel Deville had ever given Mary.
Why had he kissed her?
“Must you walk at such a clip,” the irritated voice behind her said.
“It’s frigid, and this is how I’m staying warm. Plus, I am to go out with Lady Raine and Mrs. Deville shortly, and I need to be home to prepare.”
“And your family thinks you are where right now?” Aggie, her maid wheezed.
“Reading with Lady Rhienhold.”
“Your lies will trip you up one day,” Aggie huffed.
“I have them all in order, thank you. One would think you were old the way you carry on,” Mary said, slowing her pace so her maid could catch up. “Do I need to get you a cane, perchance?”
Aggie grumbled something under her breath.
They were walking up a narrow lane filled with curious little shops she’d one day have to investigate when the time presented itself.
“There now, how’s this pace?” Mary asked.
“If we were meant to fly about everywhere, we’d have been born with wings,” her maid grumbled.
“My feet never left the ground,” Mary said. “And we must make haste as I have explained.”
Agatha Smith had been with Mary for two years since her last maid left to wed. They were the same age and in that time had become friends. Even more so, as Aggie knew her secrets and often helped her slip out of the house unnoticed. She heartily disapproved of the risks Mary took but would do nothing to blow her cover.
Tall and stick-thin, Aggie had brown-black curls and wide nutmeg-colored eyes. She had a wicked sense of humor, and Mary didn’t know how she’d have survived without her.
“Where is it you must go in such haste?” Aggie asked now from her side.
“Lolly’s Bookstore.”
“We seem to be visiting there every week at the moment. It’s that business, of course.”
“Yes, it is that business, but I cannot tell you what, Aggie, as you very well know.”
Aggie sniffed her displeasure. “It isn’t right for a lady such as you to behave in this manner.”
Mary sighed, as she’d heard this many times since the night her maid had found her sneaking out the window and demanded to know why.
“But I don’t mind visiting Lolly’s, as they have those sweets in that jar sometimes,” Aggie added.
“For children,” Mary added. “I have no idea how you are not a great deal larger, Aggie, with the amount of food you consume.”
“It runs in my family. My brother, Bertie, is the size of a sapling and can eat more than me.”
“I wish I was like that.” Mary sighed.
“You have a lovely shape to you, and it’s only because of that sister of yours you feel self-conscious. She’s right podsnappery.”
“I beg your pardon?” Mary looked at her maid.
