Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(12)

“Perhaps my closest in this city.” Or she had been, once. Lizzie and I weren’t on such good terms anymore, after I’d learned she’d been part of the plot to recruit me through deception, but we’d remained civil.

“You said he was an engineering student?”

“Yes.” At least, I thought he was. He and Alec had been introduced to me that way, but I wasn’t sure what Colin’s technical expertise was. He mostly seemed to serve as the group’s spokesman and carnival barker. I’d never seen him work directly with a machine, and I couldn’t remember ever hearing a mention of him attending a class.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever met anyone like him.” I recognized the dreamy look in her eyes. I’d seen it in my own mirror during the days when Alec had been wooing me.

“That’s probably for the best,” I said in my most prim chaperone voice. “Your uncle would most certainly not approve.” I realized a moment later that I’d only made Colin sound even more appealing. The best way to handle this was to make her think with her head and possibly bypass her heart. “What was it about Colin that you found so compelling?” I asked.

After a deep, wistful sigh, she said, “He made me feel like I was the only woman in the world, and that there were endless possibilities available to me.”

“That’s just Colin,” I said gently. “He’s like that with everyone. He’d flirt with a lamppost, and I’d swear it would light up brighter for him.”

She lost the dreamy look and narrowed her eyes shrewdly at me. “He’s not your beau, is he, Miss Newton?”

“Nothing of the sort. He really is just a friend, almost like a brother.” In her relief, she went back to gazing dreamily into the middle distance.

When the carriage stopped, before the driver opened the door, she reached across and grabbed my wrist. “You won’t tell Henry, will you?”

“I don’t see why I should. There’s nothing to tell.”

“Right. Nothing to tell. Good.” She seemed almost back to her old self as she alighted from the carriage and made her way up the front steps to the house.

With a sigh, I realized that the last thing this household needed was yet another secret. I didn’t think any harm would actually come of this one, as I knew Colin well enough to know that he was seldom sincere and had probably already forgotten the encounter.

Flora went to her room to rest before dinner, and I went to the library, where I wasn’t at all surprised to be joined by Henry a few minutes later. “I hope today wasn’t too painful for you,” he said, leaning against the bookcase next to where I stood. “I know Flora can be a snob, and she’s even worse when she’s with her friends. Paying calls with her must be sheer torture.”

“I did spend a fair amount of time standing in the foyer,” I admitted.

“What? They didn’t offer you a seat or a cup of tea?”

“On the other hand, I didn’t have to listen to their conversation.”

He laughed. “Yes, I suppose that’s a kindness, even if it was unintentional. I’ll have a word with Flora, though.”

“No, don’t,” I urged. “Then she’ll know I said something to you. And how will I carry out your missions if I’m stuck in the parlor? While I stood in the foyer, I had some very interesting conversations with your friends.”

“You have responses already?”

“I do. Philip Spencer is quite keen, though I get the impression that he’s quite keen on just about everything.”

“He is. The banditry was largely his idea, though his suggestion was somewhat lacking in detail and logistics.”

“Lord Julian didn’t respond at all. I don’t know if he was even at home. I left the card, but he didn’t come out. Viscount Hayes was also interested. So it seems I should set up a meeting with the Mechanics for them.”

“And for me, as well. I have a little money of my own.” I was sure that his definition of “a little money” was very different than mine—yet another reminder of the gulf between us.

The library door opened, and both of us jumped guiltily, although we’d been doing nothing untoward—aside from plotting revolution. Mr. Chastain stood in the doorway. “My lord, the duke is here and wishes to meet with you and the children.”

Henry and I exchanged a glance. The Duke of New York, governor of the American colonies, was the children’s maternal grandfather. When he called, it was usually bad news.





Chapter Four


In Which

I Am Greatly Amused




“Take him to the family parlor,” Henry said. “And send the children to join him.”

“Very good, sir,” Mr. Chastain said, nodding before backing out of the room and shutting the door.

Henry groaned. “I wonder what he wants now.”

“Does he have to want anything?” I asked. “He is the children’s grandfather.”

“I know you haven’t been with us long, but have you ever known him to come just to visit his grandchildren? He only comes when he has bad news.”

Although he’d echoed my own thought about bad news, I said, “Nothing much has happened in weeks, so I can’t imagine what bad news he might have today.”