“Gabriel, why didn’t you tell me about the window?” Her whisper sounded more like a hiss. “Didn’t you see it? One window’s drape is outside, not inside.”
He had not given it much notice. Actually, he had not noticed at all.
She dropped to the ground and brushed off her hands. “She is in that chamber. She put the drape outside so I would know where she was. She saw Vincent and she sent up a flag.” She turned. “Lift me again.”
He grasped her waist. “You do not know it is a flag. She might be in the cellar for all you know. The breeze could have made the drape billow out the window.”
“Drapes don’t billow out windows in summer. If they billow from the breeze, it is inside the chamber. Now lift me.”
“One last very brief look, Amanda. Then we are leaving. It will be dark soon.”
“I certainly hope so.”
He heaved her up. Only this time, she slid out of his hold and kept going. He looked up to see one of her legs over the top of the wall.
“Get down here.”
“I will be back soon.”
“Down. Now. I swear if you don’t, I’ll—” Only she was gone. He stared desperately at the spot where she had disappeared.
“You’ll what? Warm my pantaloons? The notion has a naughty appeal. I don’t know why.” Her voice came to the left of where he stood. She peered over the wall there. “There is a bench here, with a high back. Now that is convenient.”
He strode over to her. “Amanda—”
“Don’t scold and don’t bother commanding. I am going to let her know help has come. No one will see me, I promise.”
“Don’t move.” He strode back and pulled the big log over. “Stay right there.”
“Are you joining me? Well, come on then. It should be easy for you. You might take off your coats first.”
He stripped off his coats and dropped them. He positioned himself on the log, raised his arms so he could grab the top of the wall, and jumped.
Hardly easy, but pride made his first effort his best. He’d be damned before he failed where she had easily succeeded. Through sheer force of will, he managed to haul his weight to where he could throw a leg up, then pushed himself upright until he straddled the wall.
Amanda looked up at him. “See? The bench is right here. Careless of Mr. Yarnell. Going back will be much easier, I am relieved to say.”
He dropped to the ground. He eyed the bench. “Convenient, as you say. We will use it to get back over that damned wall after I use it to turn you over my knee.”
She gave a low laugh, and walked into the garden.
* * *
Everyone thought thieves liked the night. In truth, nighttime was fraught with difficulties to the trade. One could get lost. Constables were about. Sounds were obvious in the dark’s silence.
They much preferred dusk. The gray light dimmed colors and shapes. There was still enough light to see where one was going and to avoid detection. Others moved about too, and other people provided the best distractions.
Amanda explained all of this while she led Gabriel toward the house. She finally stopped where they could view that window clearly.
“If she is there, and the window can be opened, why didn’t she just leave?” he asked.
It took her a moment to understand his question. “Oh, you mean through the window. Mama did not go in and out high windows, only Papa did.”
“And you.”
“Only a few times, but yes, he taught me.” She debated her course of action. “You are displeased with me already, I know, and you will probably be displeased more before we are done. For example, you are not going to like what I do next.”
He lowered his head and glowered. “What is that?”
