Based on the expression on Cyrus’ face, Liza’s proposition was taking well. The Renaldis were nodding, and soon Liza returned to the group.
“What’s the verdict, then?” Walker asked.
“They’ve agreed! Mamma wants to leave by the end of the week.”
***
The night air was brisk, the slimbit of moonlight sending silver through the trees as they returned to Swan Walk. Mira and Byron were a step or two behind the rest of the family, practically alone for the first time in weeks.
“Did you get a chance to read the letter?” she asked.
He gave a short nod. “It was illuminating, to say the least. She’s given us the full picture of how the Crescent operated within Circe. It always bothered me that for all of Circe’s grand plans for war in Europe, a full third of their organization is devoted to petty theft. While money is necessary for a large criminal organization like Circe, surely they’d get enough of it from the smuggling side of things.”
“Yes, and it explains why Selene didn’t think she could truly be rid of Circe. There was always the looming threat of blackmail.” She shivered a little. “I feel so sorry for her. If what she said in the letter is true, she never wanted to betray us.”
“And yet, she did.” He reached over and took her hand. “And we were lucky to survive what happened in the catacombs.”
“She didn’t survive.” Mira swallowed. “She did exactly asDurant asked and still...”
“Selene shouldn’t have trusted him to keep his word. She could have come to us at any time and she chose not to. The fact that she decided to share what she knew in death atones for much, but doesn’t negate the fact that she put you in so much danger. A danger that she herself was trying to escape.”
“She didn’t realize that. People do terrible things when they feel they don’t have a choice.” Mira bit her lip. “I think she was a good person, deep down. But even good people act wrongfully out of fear.”
Byron softened. “You’re right. And she did do the right thing in the end by sending us that list. I recognized both gangs and one of the individual names. The Forty Elephants operates in London, for the most part. Primarily made up of women whose husbands are in prison, their main crime is shoplifting. The Lambeth Lads are another London-based gang. They are mostly young men and boys with a more violent streak. I’ve worked with them in the past to gather information.”
“And the name?”
“Terrence Wheeler. He moves around a lot because he’s a rag-and-bone man. Easy to recognize him, though, he wears a special pair of shoes made with one sole built up to a platform to compensate for one leg being much shorter than the other.
Her mouth dropped open. “I think I’ve seen him before! I always wondered who his cobbler was.”
“I’m afraid I don’t have that name,” he teased. “And I don’t recognize the other nine on Selene’s list.” He released her hand and pulled out a small notebook and flicked it open. “Henry Mayhew, Joseph Carney, Norine Askew, Jonathan Wallace... I wish she’d given an indication as to what industry they were in or their addresses or something.” He tucked the book away. “But we have names, at least, and that’s as good a start as any.”
She looked away. “I don’t think I’ve properly apologized forearlier. I was so excited about the prospect of new leads, I didn’t think of anything else.”
Byron laughed a little. “I will say I was surprised. You looked like a fox that escaped from the hunt only to rush headlong into the hounds.”
“I felt like one.” Her stomach twisted.
“Your transformation between then and the party was incredible,” he said. “I didn’t have the chance to tell you before, but you are absolutely stunning tonight.”
“You would say that no matter what I looked like.”
“True. I did like the way your hair fell around your face when you rushed into Palace Court. And I haven’t seen your blush in quite some time. Is that why you chose a rose-colored gown for this evening?”
She fidgeted with the buttons on her coat. “It was the first one I found. Truth be told, it’s a miracle I made it to the party on time.”
“But you did. And with only one hair out of place.” He reached over, tucking the strand behind her ear. “There.”
They walked a few paces in silence, the gas lamps flickering.
She whispered, “I can’t imagine what your family must think of me.”
He took her arm, slowing her to a stop. “Does it matter?”
“Of course, it matters. They are your family. If . . . if we are to . . . well, we are courting and that generally, well . . .”
“Leads to marriage? Yes, I have considered the notion.”
