“And look! Here comes one of my assistants now,” Dr. Gall said. He turned to the entryway of the laboratory, where the glass-and-iron door opened. Two figures came through: The first was a skeletal man in a butler’s uniform, his skin pale and wrinkled, his expression dour. He wore a derby cap and bowed deeply at Dr. Gall and his guests. In his hands was a silver tray, set with a teapot, a sandwich, biscuits, and fruit.
Behind him came a familiar face: a tall man with light brown skin, black hair, and honey-gold eyes. He sported a frown, his handsome face twisted into a look of disinterest. Elswyth knew him at once: the man she’d seen in the hedge maze, entangled with the blond woman. Her blood chilled as she remembered his words:What would you have me do? Slit her throat?
“Silas! My good man,” Dr. Gall said. “Nettles—do set that food down for Miss Elderwood.”
The butler stepped forward, saying nothing, and placed the tray on a small table near Elswyth. The handsome man—Silas—walked slowly into the room, eyes lingering on Elswyth.
“It is good to see you awake, Miss Elderwood,” he said. “I was worried, when I found you in the grip of the corpse flower.”
Elswyth remembered strong hands tearing her away, beingpressed into a huge body and carried like a child. “You were the one who rescued me?”
Dr. Gall grinned as he walked over to Silas, clapping him on the shoulder. “He surely was. I knew it would come in handy, having such a strapping lad around!”
Silas smiled thinly, looking at Elswyth.
“And you…” Elswyth said. “You are one of Dr. Gall’s assistants.”
Dr. Gall looked between Silas and Elswyth. “Have you two met before?”
“No,” Elswyth said, too quickly.
“Yes,” said Silas.
“I meant—”
“I recognize her, from the park,” Silas said. “That is all.”
Dr. Gall looked confused. Mrs. Rose stepped forward, extending a hand to Silas. “Then we must have a proper introduction. I am Madame Vivian Rose, Miss Elderwood’s tutor. And who do we have to thank for the daring rescue of the young lady?”
Silas looked amused. “My name is Sir Silas.”
“Sir Silas… of what house?”
“Blackthorn,” Silas said.
“SilasBlackthorn. So strange,” Mrs. Rose said, putting a finger to her lips, “I have never heard of that house. Do you have family about thebon ton?”
Silas smiled. “None, my lady. Mine is not a noble house; my title comes from services rendered to the crown.”
Mrs. Rose smiled. “An exceptional man, then. You shall have to tell us how you earned your knighthood.”
“Perhaps another time,” Sir Silas said, “when Miss Elderwood is in better form.”
Silas turned from Mrs. Rose, folding his hands behind his backand inclining his head to Elswyth. “How are you feeling? Please, do eat. When Dr. Gall decided to wake you, I went to fetch your tea.”
“Better, thanks to Dr. Gall,” she said. She bowed her head low, but could not get the image of Silas and his lover from her mind. “I must offer my sincerest thanks. I owe you a debt.”
“It can be repaid by keeping your ladyship on the pathways while in the Royal Gardens,” Silas said. “You seem to have a habit of ignoring signs indicating that certain areas are off-limits.” His dark eyes bored into her, glinting with mischief. Elswyth swallowed, blushing, turning the scarred side of her face away from him.
Dr. Gall stepped in. “Miss Elderwood was merely trying to sketch the interior of the corpse flower’s digestive system. We should all admire her, dare I say it, gall!”
Dr. Gall grinned, waiting expectantly for laughter. Elswyth obliged him with a smile.
Silas smirked at her. “Yes—a remarkably curious young lady.”
“Miss Elderwood will be assisting us for the summer, Silas,” Dr. Gall said. “You two might get the opportunity to work together. How exciting!”
Silas raised an eyebrow. “What sort of work?”
