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“Heavens, no,” Uncle said at once. “That is the last thing you should do.”

Lark pulled back. “Why?”

“Who is to say he will speak the truth?”

“He is a gentleman,” she defended.

Uncle sighed. “So claimed to be Mr. Yates. And Mr. Drake.”

Lark held her tongue. Uncle had warned her of Mr. Yates from the beginning, but Lark, in her naivety of youth, had ignored the signs Mr. Yates had given early on. Mr. Drake gave no such sign as to being despicable, only misguided. And Mr. Branok? Mr. Branok had only ever revealed himself to be honorable and respectful.

But she knew Uncle, and he would not be convinced of Mr. Branok’s goodness until he’d received word of it from others—others aside from Lark.

“Very well,” she relented, “then what is to be done?”

“I sent an urgent letter to a colleague of mine in White’s,” Uncle said. “But he has told me no one can seem to recall why exactly Mr. Branok was blackballed, as it was nearly half a decade ago. That is why I must return to London early. And…and why I want you to come with me.”

Chapter 29

Lark’s mouth opened wide. “What? Uncle, I cannot…”

But he held up a hand to stop her. “Please, Lark. Only hear my reasoning. I cannot in good conscience leave you here when I do not know of what Mr. Branok is capable. I would be remiss in my duty to protect you.”

Lark could understand Uncle’s plight. But she had paid far too much money and had waited far too many years to join an expedition, only to leave it five days early.

“Uncle, you know how greatly I appreciate all you’ve done for me, how you’ve protected me, but surely you must know…” She softened her voice. “I will not leave early.”

Uncle looked as if he wanted to protest further, but he sighed, his shoulders dipping. “Yes. Yes, I assumed you would say as much. But I had to try.”

She released a breath, grateful he did not push her. “Aunt is remaining, is she not?”

He nodded. “We have spoken already. She told me you would deny my request to leave and has already promised to remain at your side.”

“You may rest assured that I am in capable hands with her, then,” Lark said, though she tried not to feel dread at the notion.

She loved Aunt Harriet. But Lark had grown used to tasting a small amount of freedom on this trip. She could not say goodbye to that already.

“There, you see?” Lark said. “I will be more than watched over. And truthfully, whatever Mr. Branok has done, he cannot have done anything so terrible that I would feel unsafe around him.”

Especially after this morning. Saving the owl. Speaking with her honestly. Asking Lark before he kissed her.

Still, Uncle gave her a skeptical look. “Perhaps, but I must request that you do not seek out the gentleman while I am gone. Avoid being with him at all costs. I cannot bear the thought of something happening to you again.”

Lark had expected this. She knew his restriction came from a place of love—but also of fear. She longed to shout out, “Nothing will happen to me if Mr. Branok is by my side!” but she held her tongue, for Uncle was just as stubborn as she was.

“Lark?” he pressed. “Please. Promise me you will do this.”

She looked away, knowing already this was a losing battle. “Mr. Branok has never revealed himself to be anything other than trustworthy, Uncle,” she tried once more.

“That may be so. But we cannot be sure until we know why he was blackballed.” He waited until she met his gaze. “I beg of you to keep away from him until we know. Just until we see one another again in London. Surely you can manage five days for the sake of your reputation and future.”

Lark felt hollow inside. Five days. Five days of not speaking with Mr. Branok—of not sneaking off to enjoy his company or his…his kisses. Kisses she wanted to taste again and again.

She released a sigh. Perhaps this was for the best. Perhaps time away was all she needed to realize she could live without Mr. Branok’s attention and affections because right now, she could think of little else.

Slowly, she nodded. “Very well, Uncle. I shall do as you wish.”

He released a sigh of relief, then stood to leave, giving her an affectionate kiss atop her head. “I’m sorry about all of this, Lark. I know how greatly you admired Mr. Branok. To have matters sour so swiftly…” He trailed off with a disappointed shake of his head. “I will let you know the moment I become aware of his transgressions.”