Page 42 of Rakes & Reticules
“I’m to bed.” Darius rose and, after smothering a yawn, stretched his arms wide. “If you have no objection, Fletcher, I’d like to take Siobhan and the children to Gunter’s for ices tomorrow. It will help build the illusion that I am showing her London’s landmarks.”
Fletcher’s gut pitched at his brother’s proposal.
Had Siobhon captivated Darius already?
Not a surprise. She was bewitching.
“Not a bad suggestion.” Fletcher feigned indifference. “Except how do we explain the children’s presence?”
Darius scratched his nose. “Could they not still be her brother and sister?”
Siobhan’s face brightened. “Kimber and Paddy would adore an outing, but they don’t know about my false surname. They might spill the beans.”
Fletcher finished his whisky and then placed the tumbler on the side table. “I think I’d better tag along too and act as interference should anyone wish to engage in conversation. Unless you want to explain to Paddy and Kimber what our mission is?”
Siobhan shook her head with such vehemence that a curl tumbled loose and caressed her neck. “No. I still don’t want them involved. They are unused to subterfuge. Trust me when I tell you that they couldn’t keep the secret. Deception is not their strong suit. I could tell them we are using a different surname to protect us from whatever Da ran away from in Ireland, but that might raise more questions I don’t have answers for. Besides, I dislike being dishonest.”
That was another thing Fletcher had learned about Siobhan. Despite months of pretending to be a boy, her integrity was paramount to her. When she had a choice, she would always choose honesty.
“Let me know at breakfast. I’m fair fagged and need to find my mattress. I planned on leaving at half three.” Darius strode to the door and with a little wave, let himself out.
Fletcher risked angering her.
“I think you are underestimating your brother and sister, Siobhan.”
She cocked her head. “Perchance. They are not little children anymore. Let me sleep on it, please. I shall give you an answer in the morning.”
The mantel clock chimed half eleven.
Fletcher still needed to make a final walk through the club.
“Please excuse me. I’m quite tired myself.” She rose and shook out her gown. “I’m unused to late nights and wish to look in on my brother and sister before I retire. I feel like I’ve neglected them these past days.”
She had been rather overwhelmed with every kind of lesson and instruction Fletcher thought would make her ruse more believable.
“I’ll walk with you.” Fletcher ran a hand across his slightly rough chin. Not that he believed any danger lurked between his office and the sleeping chambers.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt.
At least, that was the excuse he used to accompany her.
She shot him a surprised glance. “As you wish.”
They ascended the two flights of stairs in companionable silence. Outside the chamber assigned to the children, she half turned, her mouth tilted upward into a tired smile. “Good night.”
“Do you mind if I come in?” Fletcher grew more attached to Kimber and Paddy with each passing day. Their presence atDe la Chancebrought playfulness and a light-hearted atmosphere that he liked.
Siobhan’s hesitation was so brief he might’ve imagined it.
She angled her head in affirmation before opening the door.
A lamp burned low on a table in the room’s middle.
She crossed to her brother’s and sister’s beds, situated side by side with a night table between them. In truth, they were of an age they should each have their own chambers, but not until this business with the Huxleys was dealt with.
They’d had too many changes these past months, not the least of which was their parents’ disappearance. Torrian had met with dead end after dead end so far in that regard, but undaunted, he continued to try to find out what happened to Maura and Tadgh Kenney.
Kimber slept on her side, a raggedy doll clutched in her thin arms and her unplaited hair almost as black as Siobhan’s spread upon her pillow. Paddy slumbered on his back with an arm tossed over his auburn head, his bedclothes rumpled across his waist.
