Page 23 of The Storybook Hero
“As far as I know, my brother hasn’t stuck his spoon in the wall yet.” Thomas glanced at the battered desk and the stacks of books and papers piled haphazardly on its nicked surface. “I mean to see that it stays that way. So I’ve come to check whether he might have left a Russian lexicon lying around, and perhaps a more detailed atlas than the one I was able to purchase.”
The valet eyed him with some suspicion. “Why should I let you go through his things?”
Thomas was already thumbing through one of the thick leather-bound volumes on the top of one stack. “Because if I am to be of any help to him, I need to know all I can about Russia.”
Squid took a moment to mull over the words. “You are going to Russia?” he asked very slowly, disbelief evident on his face.
Thomas nodded as he picked up another book.
“But … but Mister Alex says his family don’t give a dam—deuce about him. Says you all wish him to the devil.”
“Yes, I know. And that is exactly where he has been driving himself these past years, with a vengeance,” answered Thomas. “However, like the rest of us, my brother can be very wrong about certain things.” A pause. “His proper title isLordAlex, you know.”
“Aye, well he doesn’t like fer me to use it.” Squid regarded him with a cagey look that belied the youthful innocence of his features. “Yer serious,” he said after a bit. “Ye really mean to go after him?”
“Yes.”
“Then I mean to come too.”
Thomas had to repress a laugh. At the rate things were going, they would need a troop transport to convey the veritable army that was volunteering in his brother’s behalf.
“My thanks for your concern, but I don’t think that will be necessary. My older brother and my uncle are to accompany me as well. The three of us shall manage adequately.”
“Hah!” Squid pulled a face. “A marquess, an earl and a lord. How are the likes of you fine gentleman gonna know how to ferret out information from the locals? Or do some of the squirmy things that need be done in certain situations? Me, I got experience in such things. I could be … useful. Mister Alex has said so on any number of occasions.”
Thomas’s brows drew together in thought.
“I can brush a coat and press a cravat tolerably well,” went on Squid in a dogged voice. “And I’m handy with me fives or a shiv or barking iron. Surely the three of you could do with a valet of my skills, rather than one of the useless slowtops that blacken yer boots.”
“Well—”
“Mister Alex even taught me a bit of the lingo.Das vedanya. That means good day in Russian.”
Thomas stroked his jaw. “Hmmm. I suppose you might prove helpful.”
“I know Mister Alex better than anyone. Wherever he is in that snow and ice, I’ll track him down. I swear I will.”
Surprised by the intensity of the young man’s loyalty, Thomas took a moment to answer. “I shall discuss the matter with the rest of the family. If you care to bring around these books to Grosvenor Square this afternoon at four, we shall inform you of what we mean to do.”
Squid grinned. “Yes, milord.”
“It is Number?—”
“Oh, I know where Wright House is, milord. Mister Alex may think I don’t notice, but when he passes anywhere near, he can’t help but stare up at those fancy steps and marble pillars with …” His voice trailed off and he swallowed uncomfortably.
Thomas’s lips compressed. He spent some minutes in silence, perusing the rest of the papers and books, then arranged a neat pile of the things he had chosen. “At four, then?”
The valet moved to open the door. “I’ll be there, sir.”
Octavia pushedthe sheet of foolscap back across the desk. “You must check your figures once more, Emma. I fear you have still not mastered the rudiments of geometry.”
The young girl made a face. “I don’t see why I have to fuss with all those numbers. It’s not as if I will ever be a post captain in need of shooting the sun and figuring out my latitudes and longitudes.”
“That may be so, but mathematics are part of a sound education. They challenge the mind, and you never know, geometry may come in very useful on some occasion.”
Emma’s lower lip jutted out. “Name one.”
Octavia was forced to resort to a reply found effective by generations of governesses. “I’ll not argue with you over this. Whether it pleases you or not, you will finish your lessons before we read another chapter of Miss Austen.”
