‘That lying bastard. I knew I didn’t like him.’
Ada rolled her eyes. ‘You never suspected a thing. None of us did.’
‘He was good. He played us all.’
‘Poor Olympe,’ said Guil quietly.
Al tilted the bicorn at a rakish angle. ‘Not to hog the pity party, but what are we going to do about me?’
Ada blinked. ‘About you?’
‘He’s right,’ said Camille. ‘Al can’t stay in Paris. He won’t be safe anywhere in France. They’ll know it was us who got him out.’
Some of Ada’s elation faded. There was always the next job, the next problem to solve.
‘Al, how’s your English?’ asked Camille.
‘That depends on whether you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking.’
Camille looked at him. ‘Staying here’s no better plan.’
‘But why that? Why can’t I go somewhere warm and pleasant? I hear Italy is lovely.’
‘His English is quite fluent,’ added Guil. ‘I’ve heard it.’
‘Sorry,’ cut in Ada, ‘what are you talking about?’
Al pulled his hat down so it was almost covering his eyes. ‘She’s sending me to England after our deceitful friend.’
‘We’re all going,’ said Camille. The other three turned to look at her. ‘None of us will be safe here now, and this is my wrong to right. I promised Olympe I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. I’m not breaking that promise. And,’ her voice faltered, ‘I’ve come too close to losing you all to leave you behind.’
Her eyes flickered to Ada.
As soon as Camille had explained herself, a strange sort of calm had stolen over Ada. Camille was right. They’d made promises. They had principles to defend.
And there was something only she could do.
‘I’m not going.’
Camille’s eyes widened in confusion. ‘What? Why? Are you— Did I do something wrong?’
‘No – I just – I understand now. I know why you didn’t pick me—’
‘Didn’t pick you? Ada, I—’
‘And I didn’t pick you either. Because it’s not about that – we’re not about that. Because I don’t need rescuing, and neither do you. I trust you.’
Camille opened and shut her mouth a few times, and Ada could swear she saw the sheen of tears in her eyes.
‘I trust you too, Ada. With my life.’
Ada took a deep breath.
‘I know what I need to do. I’m going back to my father.’
‘What?’ Guil frowned.
‘The duc implied he was working on something bigger to restore the monarchy. We need to find out what they’re doing and help the people who’ve ended up in the duc’s hands this time. I can spy on him. If I go back to my father, tell him I made a mistake about you, that he was right all along – he’ll take me back in.’
