“That’s the cost to get in. The first few days were more expensive, but now the entry fee is only five shillings. It’ll be reduced even further by the end of the month.”
“How come?” Zaria wondered.
Kane shrugged. “Let the wealthy get their viewings in before the place is overrun by the working class, I suppose. Did you hear Paxton originally wanted the Exhibition to be free?”
“Joseph Paxton?” She wrinkled her nose, trying to recall what little she knew about the architect who’d drawn up the plans for the Crystal Palace. “Why would he want that?”
“Well, it’s a celebration of industry, after all. I expect he thought everyone whoworksin the industries should be able to attend. And some industries are more lucrative than others.”
“I suppose the commission didn’t go for that.”
“Of course not. Bet there’s already gossip about how Paxton is sympathetic to the radicals. I guess some of the Chartists have been protesting the Exhibition in that little paper of theirs for weeks.”
She distinctly remembered Cecile often reading articles from the radical press—L’Ami du Peuple, it was called. Knowing what she did about the Chartists, Zaria assumed they saw the event as nothing other than exploitative. And really, were they wrong?
“The Exhibitionshouldbe free.” She spoke through her teeth. “It’s the works of every industry, fromallnations. Pricing anyone out of attending is ridiculous.”
“I don’t make the rules,” Kane said, unruffled. “I’m just telling you how it is. But if it makes you feel better, some employers are actually paying for their workers to visit.”
He was right—about the fact that he didn’t make the rules, anyway. It was no use arguing the matter with him. Zaria swallowed her sigh, sidestepping a group of women obviously intent on shoving their way to the front of the queue by the western doors. She felt horribly exposed, even this far away from the turnstiles. “Why aren’t we going inside?”
Kane scanned the crowd. “We’re waiting for Fletcher.”
“I didn’t think you two were—”
“There he is,” Kane interrupted, inclining his head at a group of people gathered around what appeared to be a cluster of marble columns. Zaria wondered how she hadn’t spotted Fletcher immediately. He rose above almost everyone else, his hair glinting in the midday sun, his face unreadable as he navigated the other patrons and drew up to where Zaria and Kane waited.
“Afternoon,” he said, glancing between them. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
It was uncomfortable, the formality with which he spoke. Last time the three of them had stood here, Fletcher and Kane had been all casual familiarity and jokes. Then again, the last time they were here, none of them had yet carried out a heist and betrayed one another in the process. Zaria shot Fletcher a tight smile. In truth, she was glad to see him, if only so she no longer had to be alone with Kane.
“Not at all,” Kane said breezily, thereby establishing he was content to pretend nothing was wrong. It was a stark contrast to the man Zaria had seen before dawn in the yard. “We only arrived a few minutes ago. Shall we?” He indicated the entrance, and Fletcher nodded.
The sounds from the nearby engine room grew unbearably loud as they approached the west doors—there was an assortment of steam-powered machinery on the other side of the glass wall, Zaria knew, and steam was generated outside the palace to be fed in for that purpose. The noise, combined with the clamor of the other patrons, had her blood racing. It was all she could do to keep her head down until Kane took her by the shoulders and guided her to the center of their trio. With him and Fletcher flanking her, the press of strangers wasn’t quite so overwhelming, and Zaria found herself relaxing. Her gaze slid to Kane, but he was focused resolutely ahead,cheeks hollowed and mouth a tight line. As if his reaction had been an automatic, unconscious one. She didn’t quite know what to make of that.
When it was finally their turn to enter through the turnstiles, Kane handed over payment for all three of them. Fletcher entered last, peering at one of the refreshment stations as they passed it. Zaria thought him quite preoccupied until he cleared his throat. “Kane, where did you say this device was?”
“It should be near India’s exhibits,” Kane said. “If it’s as popular as Cubitt led us to believe, it shouldn’t be too difficult to spot. I thought entering through the west doors would help us avoid the crowds, but obviously the lower entrance fee has inspired the entire population of London to attend.” He turned to Zaria, proffering a hand. “Hold onto me. If we end up separated, I can’t imagine how much time it’ll waste.”
“And here I thought you might be concerned for my welfare,” she said, voice brittle. “Why don’t you hold hands with Fletcher instead?”
“Because Fletcher is enormous, and you’re scarcely larger than a child. Just take it, would you?”
She scowled, cheeks heating beneath Fletcher’s watchful gaze as she interlaced her fingers with Kane’s. His skin was warm and dry—she became abruptly all too aware of her clammy palms—and she was relieved when he transferred her hand to the crook of his elbow and placed his atop it, pulling her in close.
“I hope you don’t expect me to act as your fiancée again,” she muttered.
“Not unless we happen across our good friend Henry Cole or any of his ilk. And I don’t expect them to be here on a day like this.” Kane indicated the seemingly unending glass hall before them, then addressed Fletcher. “Head in the direction of the crystal fountain. We’re right behind you, but if we get split up, wait there.”
Fletcher gave a mocking salute in response, and then Kane and Zaria followed him into the masses of people.
“I know what you’re doing,” Zaria said, hating how close she had to bring her lips to Kane’s ear. He was too warm. Too alive. She saw his right cheek crease in response.
“Oh, yeah?”
“You’re not worried we’ll get separated. You’re worried I’m going to try and slip away from you.”
This time, he brought his lips toherear, breath tickling the delicate shell of it. “And why would you do that? I’m quite sure you told me you don’t have anywhere else to go.”
