“Charming,” Nathan said.
“What is the address?” Zach asked.
“11 Leander Lane,” Nix said. “After Larry told us about it, me and Pig went by the place. Curtains were shut up tight, and it’s the middle of the day. I asked the neighbor, Mrs. Cub, if she’d heard anything from them living in the house. She said they come and go at all hours and that she heard a scream there two nights ago.”
They waited, but when Nix added nothing more, Zach pulled out some money and handed it to him. “For art supplies.”
“Mighty grateful.”
Nix held a special place in the Deville brothers’ affections. He’d saved Michael once when he was set upon by some men. Since then, they always gave Nix more money than his information required.
They could have lost a brother that night, and it was a thought that sat heavy on all of them. They watched Nix walk away and then headed back to the horses.
“Do you think the mean Frenchie could be the one who is working for or on behalf of the Falcon, Nathan?”
“I don’t know. It’s possible. We need to visit 11 Leander Lane.”
“Agree.”
“Clearly, whoever is behind this is focused on one thing. The release of Falcon.”
“Which cannot happen,” Nathan added.
“Aye.”
Reaching their horses, they mounted and rode toward their homes in silence. Zach’s thoughts moved to Mary as they drew closer.
Was she really all right?
It hurt that she’d turned from him and allowed Plunge to escort her to the carriage. His worry for her when he’d found her on the ground had been real. Which meant what?
Nothing.She is nothing more than an annoyance to me, and soon things will return to normal.
An annoyance with a sweet mouth that he wanted to kiss again.
CHAPTERTWELVE
Mary had returned from her trip to the bookstore and swift discussion with Monty, where she was able to hand over the note she’d meant to put in the snail farming book.
She was now sitting in a parlor in her family home taking tea with her mother and sister while receiving a lecture on her good fortune. Her cheek stung a bit, but Aggie had put cream on it.
“I will let you go with Lady Raine, as she is suitable company, but I will not have you dressing as a… a harlot,” her mother said.
“Mother!” Phillipa looked shocked.
“Well.” Lady Blake flushed. “Some of these current fashions are shockingly forward.”
“I think it vastly unfair she is going and I am not.” Phillipa pouted.
“You were not invited,” Mary said. “Besides, you actually get to choose what you wear. I do not.”
Lady Blake’s color deepened. “I dress you as a young lady ought to be dressed, Mary.”
She didn’t answer that and was still sure that her mother would stop her from actually leaving the house with Beth and Dimity.
“I can’t believe you will let her go, Mother.” Phillipa gave Mary a smug look, as if to say she would do what she could to ensure it didn’t happen. “After all, it is not as if she will secure a match, whereas I—”
“Are having your fourth season, and as yet are unwed,” Mary said.
