When Aggie returned and told her the carriage had left and the household staff were taking their tea in the kitchens, Mary pushed aside thoughts of Zachariel Deville. She had work to do.
“Excellent, do not wait up for me, as I am unsure how long I will be, Aggie.”
“You do know this is wrong, don’t you,” her maid said. “A young lady leaving her home in the dead of night alone. You carry a knife with you and venture into places you should not. ‘Tain’t right, I tell you.”
“I get this lecture from you constantly, Aggie, and every time I tell you I know what I’m doing. I have never placed myself in danger and am always here in the morning. I promise tonight will be no different. Please do not worry, and thank you for holding my secrets.”
Mary wasn’t a hugger or toucher, but she did hug Aggie then.
“I promise all will go well, but this must be done, Aggie. I do this for the king and for England. Surely you can see how important it is?”
Her maid nodded. “I just worry for you, as you won’t let me accompany you.”
“I can hardly slip about the place undetected with a maid, now can I? I will see you tomorrow.”
Mary grabbed her cloak, hat, and veil. She then nudged her maid from the room.
“Go and take tea now, Aggie.”
“Stay safe, Miss Mary.”
“Always.”
Mary walked along the hall to the large window at the end. She was the only member of her family up here on the third floor. When she’d insisted she move because the noise downstairs hurt her head, her family had not fought her. Leaving the house late at night it was imperative she could do so undetected, and this allowed her that freedom.
Checking the window was unlatched, because this was her way in when she returned, Mary then made her way back downstairs through the quiet house. If she was seen, she’d say she was taking air to rid her of the headache. Reaching the front door, she let herself outside undetected.
Moving into the shadows, she wrapped her cloak around her shoulders and then pulled on the hat and veil. Lastly, she slid her fingers into her black gloves.
Her pulse quickened as she started down the street to the hackney awaiting her. The door opened as she reached it, and she stepped inside.
“Good evening, Monty.”
“Good evening, Mary. I’m very sorry for nearly drowning you.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Zach stood across the road from 11 Leander Lane, studying the building. Narrow and tall, it was joined to other houses on either side. He burrowed into the turned-up collar of his overcoat as a blast of wind hit him.
“There are no lights on,” Forrest said from his left.
“Perhaps we should attempt to enter from the rear?” Nathan said.
“Yes, there may be a narrow lane there,” Michael said.
Gabe grunted his agreement and started walking. The others fell in behind him, and they walked along Leander Lane to the end. Passing the last house in the row, they did indeed find a narrow alley behind it.
“Who is counting houses?” Zach whispered.
“Me,” Forrest said.
They carried on in silence.
“Dear lord, what is that stench,” Nathan hissed.
“Will you all shut up!” Gabe whispered furiously. “We don’t want anyone to know we are here.”
Nathan made an “oooh” kind of noise that had Gabe’s teeth snapping together.
