Page 8 of A Deal with the Devil

Her blood chilled.

“You’ll have to go out the window.”

“Not again.” Evie hastened to tie the cloak ribbons around the neck.

“Aunt P has already found all of our hiding spots,” Kitty replied. Evie darted away in the opposite direction of the window. “Hurry!”

“I can’t leave Galahad behind. She will never remember to feed him. Especially not crickets—she thinks it’s disgusting.”

“It’s a little disgusting,” Kitty allowed. They crunched. She always felt sorry for them. “I’ll feed your pincushion.”

“You’re always at the shop,” Evie replied stubbornly. “I’m not leaving him behind.”

Which was how Kitty ended up shoving her baby sister and a confused hedgehog in a gold cage out of a top-floor window.

As far as escape routes went, it was not ideal. Even before it started to rain.

But it was better than the alternative.

The alternative being Lord Portsmouth.

The window was safely shut and Kitty was hurrying across the carpet when their aunt appeared in the doorway. Aunt Priscilla was a tiny, imposing woman with fair hair streaked silver. It was clear which side of the family Evie had inherited her delicate bone structure and glowing skin. Kitty’s red hair and freckles came from their father’s side.

Aunt Priscilla might be no bigger than a minute, but she was all teeth. All of the time.

“Kitty, what are you doing in here?” No one stood against Mrs. Priscilla Bartley for long, annuity or not.

Except for Kitty.

“I was bringing Evie her breakfast, Aunt P.”

Aunt Priscilla narrowed her eyes. Kitty held her gaze, raising one eyebrow. An entire battle of wills occurred during that one silent moment, complete with bloodshed and betrayal. But never surrender. Never that.

“Lord Portsmouth is here for your sister.”

“It’s barely nine in the morning.”

“I didn’t ask you for the time. Get your sister.”

“It’s rather gauche, such an early call, don’t you think?” She only said it to needle her aunt.

Aunt P’s right eye twitched. Direct hit. “Don’t keep him waiting.”

“She’s not here,” Kitty said.

“I beg your pardon?” Her aunt’s voice was sharper than Galahad’s spikes.

“Evie is not here,” Kitty repeated.

“Where the devil is she?”

“I’m sure I don’t know. I came in and she was gone.”

“A likely story. There’s a devil here, and it’s you.”

“I’m not the one trying to shove her into that blackguard’s carriage.”

“Hush, you silly chit. He’ll hear you.”