“Kilsyth said that Ashford received a missive earlier today and his demeanor changed, not that it was obvious if one was not watching, but something was in that letter that caused concern.”
Cait stared at her blankly because it was not her news to tell.
“It could be any number of things,” Claudia dismissed. “Your delay is likely for nothing.”
Except it was something and it would likely keep all the gentlemen here for at least a few more days in support of their friend.
It would also give Cait more time with her sister.
As the topic of conversation changed, Cait waited until nobody was watching and slipped out onto the terrace and into the darkness where she made her way to the break in the hedges and waited for Julian to join her.
For a moment, she thought of warning him that Kilsyth suspected that something was wrong but changed her mind. No doubt Julian was thinking about his brother, even if he said nothing, and there was no reason to initiate a conversation. She would say something only if he mentioned his loss.
When he finally emerged from the house, his gait was slow as he crossed the terrace and then the lawn with his limp heavier than it had been before. Cait met him once he was out of the light. “Do you wish to return inside?”
“Why?”
“You are in pain.”
Julian winced. “The knee stiffened while we sat through the long supper. I had not realized until I stood. It will be good to walk so it loosens again.”
She was not so certain. “Perhaps you should have a doctor look at your knee.”
“I am sick of doctors. But, if it is not better tomorrow, I will ask that he be sent for,” he grumbled. “Shall we continue to the conservatory?”
“Right this way.” She led him onto the land belonging to the school and where the conservatory stood. “The entry is on the other side so we must stick to the shadows in case anyone happens to be looking out of an upper window.”
“I have done my fair share of sneaking about in shadows,” he chuckled.
She was certain that he had given he was a spy. “At least this is not as dangerous as your previous missions.”
“No,” he laughed again. “Though being caught alone in the dark with me could be dangerous to your reputation.”
Cait dismissed his concern. “We will not be. But if anyone were to see us, I would explain and all would be well.”
Didshe think her reputation could be saved so easily? Perhaps his friends would hold their secret, but what of her employer and the other teachers if they found them? It was a risk that he should have considered, but Julian enjoyed being with Cait, as he had when they’d first met.
They came around the side of the glass building, and he could barely make out the door in the low moonlight. She slipped inside and he followed.
“There is a lantern by the door, but we cannot light it yet.”
He followed her carefully as she walked along what he believed was a slate floor, and between tables that he could barely see, even as his eyes became used to the darkness. Cait opened another door and stepped into complete darkness. Julian waited, not certain he wanted to risk further injury to his knee.
As much as he hated to admit the truth, Cait was right that he would likely need to send for the blasted doctor tomorrow. If his knee stiffened while sitting, what would it do after sleeping all night?
At the strike of a flint, a small light filled the space beside Cait, and grew larger and brighter once she lit the lantern.
“Close the door,” she whispered, though nobody was around to hear them.
She then lit two more lamps and he crossed to where she stood beside a shelf.
“This is where we keep the books that fuel the imaginations of the students.”
“Is that not the purpose of a teacher?” he asked.
“Yes, but not when it involves myths and disrupts the lives of everyone in the area.”
“Where to begin?”
