“I have been giving thought to Mary and Plunge being part of Alexius. After all, you thought you heard a woman’s voice outside the church that time when we were searching for Ruby. Remember, you said you heard five knocks instead of four.”
“I know what I heard but struggle to believe there are women in Alexius. No man would allow it. Not us”—Zach raised his hand as Forrest opened his mouth to no doubt tell him what he thought of that statement—“but the king and Geraint would never countenance it, surely?”
“You are right, of course.”
“What possible reason could she have to be part of it and why?”
“Perhaps her father—”
“You think Lord Blake would allow his youngest daughter to step into danger because he is part of Alexius?”
“I’m just stating that the idea has strength, and we cannot dismiss it. We have no idea what relationship Lord Blake has with his youngest daughter.”
Zach’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his cousin. “No, we cannot discount it no matter how much I have tried. The fact that Mary is Madame Lucienne tells me that nothing can be dismissed.”
“I know this is hard to understand, Zach.”
“My head hurts.” He pressed his thumb between his brows. “None of it makes sense, which is why I need to confront Mary.”
“Or Plunge?” Forrest said. “Perhaps he is the one we should crack first?”
“Like an egg,” Zach muttered.
“Why are you looking confused?” Gabe said. He moved to stand beside Forrest and stare at Zach. “More confused than you usually do.”
“It’s the Mary and Plunge thing,” Forrest said. “We were discussing the theory of them being part of ‘you know what.’”
“What?”
Forrest leaned in and tapped Gabe’s ring.
“Ah, I see.”
“For an earl, you are not terribly sharp,” Zach said.
“Sharper than you, little brother,” Gabe said. “And as you are weary and unsettled today, I will understand your foul humor.”
Zach sighed. “Very accommodating of you, big brother. And now I need to walk again. Preferably away from the Blake family.”
“That way then.” Gabe pointed left. Mary was seated to the right.
He took his niece’s hand again. “We need to view all the wonderful sights and purchase sweets so your teeth will rot,” Zach said. “You too, Adam. I must corrupt you also.”
“I’m coming,” Nathan said. “If there is actually going to be sweets in my future.”
“And me,” Daniel Dillinger, Abby’s husband, said.
“We will stay and watch over the others while you take the children and spoil them,” Michael said.
Zach raised a hand, and they began walking to the stalls and away from Mary. He purchased toffee and peppermint sticks. A doll caught Ella’s eye, so Daniel bought it for her. Zach then haggled over a dog carved in wood with the seller until they were both happy. He then gave it to Toby, which made the boy smile. He called it Lion.
“An excellent name for a dog in my mind,” Forrest said.
“Where is Adam?” Zach looked for the boy as Nathan did the same.
“There.”
Following his brother’s outstretched arm, he found Ruby’s brother surrounded by five young men. Zach started toward him, but Daniel’s hand stopped him.
