“In the middle of Seven Dials. O’Leary acquired a house there as soon as he landed in England. He’s been planning his take-down of Croft from there ever since.”
“And you know this how?”
He settled back against the squabs, a satisfied smile pulling his lips sideways. The dim light from the low afternoon sun cast him in shadow. “Do you honestly need to ask?”
She returned his smile for the sole purpose of looking agreeable. “I suppose not.”
He’d been England’s foremost spy in his youth. When he’d turned his attention toward the project that would become his life’s work, he’d not just taken in foundling girls and trained them. He’d also created a network of people ready to offer assistance whenever the need arose. Informants mostly, but also errand boys and messengers for the girls to rely on.
Melody had interacted with several of them over the years, though she’d not understood until now just how vast the network actually was.
“We’ll need to know every alleyway leading to and from that house. The most direct means of escape. It would help if we had the building’s layout as well.”
“You see? Instinct.” He gave her a pointed look. “I’ve drawn up a rough map outlining the route you’ll take from the drop-off point. Holly and Tara will lead the way, making room for you to locate Samantha and set her free. Unfortunately, a layout of the building is beyond my abilities, so you’ll have to adjust to your surroundings once you arrive.”
They continued onward in silence, Melody’s mind occupied by what Harlowe had told her and by the task ahead. When they reached Clearview House, Holly and Tara were waiting for her in the parlor. Both were dressed in shirts and breeches, their weapons either strapped to their bodies or tucked away in cleverly crafted pockets from which they could be easily accessed.
“I’ll go and change,” Melody said after greeting the pair.
“Your room is as you left it,” Harlowe told her. “You’ll find appropriate clothing there. When you’re ready, feel free to select any weapons you want from the armory.”
Stomach tight, Melody turned from him and went to find her former bedchamber. It was strange to set foot in there — as though it belonged to a previous life.
Swallowing, she trailed her fingertips over the dresser that stood by the door. The room faced west so beams from the setting sun lit the space with a red-golden glow. She slid her gaze over each surface: the neatly made bed, the vanity table and its accompanying mirror, the wardrobe in which she’d once hidden while playing hide and go seek.
Memories flooded her mind. Both good and bad. She’d been happy here for the most part. Compared with St. Christopher’s it had been heaven. But it had also been tough, the training sessions increasingly rigorous as she grew older.
Harlowe had used a firm hand that brooked no nonsense. He’d made them exercise daily, for hours on end, both inside and outside. No matter the weather.
The experience had shaped them all. Their skills had been honed, their minds forced to embrace efficiency and perfection above all else. Failure wasn’t an option. Failure would get them killed.
An unsteady breath escaped her as she turned to find Hazel watching from the doorway. A smile touched her lips. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too,” Melody told her, already closing the distance so she could embrace her. “How’s your leg?”
“Better with each passing day. I started training again last month, but it will still take a while before I’ve regained the strength and flexibility I had before.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too. I’d have loved to come with you tonight.”
Melody pressed her lips together and nodded, then stepped back and went to find her clothes. “I have to say, I’d prefer it if you could go in my stead.”
She pulled open a drawer as Hazel said, “Don’t be nervous. Instinct will see you through this. It’s what you trained for.”
“Maybe, but it’s not what I’ve been doing these past two years.” With a sigh, she picked out a shirt. “While I’ve tried to stay in shape, I’m not sure I’ve succeeded as well as I should have.”
“Did you do the daily exercises Harlowe told you to do?”
“Of course.” She’d done more because she’d known it could one day mean the difference between life and death.
“Then you’ve no need for concern. Especially since you’re not heading into this fight unarmed.”
“You’re right.” Yet Melody remained anxious while she dressed. The feeling stayed with her while she selected her weapons: two pistols, two daggers, and a couple of ring knives with mother-of-pearl protective covers.
Her nervousness still hadn’t abated when she left the house with Holly and Tara. But maybe that was a good thing she realized as they raced toward the location Harlowe had told them about.
Perhaps it would help her stay vigilant so she could avoid getting hurt.
