Page 19 of His Noble Ruin

* * *

When I left the Lenoxes’house the next morning, the streets gleamed silver from the night’s rain. I pulled my coat tighter around my shoulders to keep out the chill. My hair was braided and I wore a dusty lavender dress I’d found in the closet of my temporary bedroom. It was out of fashion by several years, but it was better than wearing the gray one I’d been seen too many times in.

I had to be more careful today, even if that meant taking a longer route to get to the library. I couldn’t risk running into any Enforcers, particularly the one who’d followed me last night. When the Irvine Library came into sight, I heard loud footsteps falling on wet stone behind me. I ducked into an alleyway, keeping to the shadows.

A moment later, Cael—accompanied by his judgmental frown—joined me.

“There’s an interesting story in today’s paper.” His tone conveyed even more irritation than usual. “About a Law Enforcer who was attacked by a woman with a knife. The victim even had his pistol stolen. Sound familiar?”

I blew out the air between my lips. “I haven’t seen the news, but I’m sure the so-called attacker had a perfectly good reason.”

“The whole city’s going to be talking about this.” Cael spoke through gritted teeth. “You’re not being careful enough.”

“Well, where wereyoulast night? When you might’ve actually been useful, I was on my own.”

He glared. “Don’t blame me for your mistakes. By the time I got away from that librarian, you were gone. If you’d waited for me, none of this would’ve happened.”

“But there was a child in branks,” I whispered, remembering the boy’s bloody face. By freeing him, I’d made everything worse for myself, but at the same time, I knew I’d make that decision again if I had to.

“And?” asked Cael.

I shook my head. There was no use explaining when Cael clearly didn’t have the capacity for compassion.

“Do you still have the pistol?” he asked.

I nodded. I didn’t dare leave anything in the Lenoxes’ house that would get them into trouble, but I didn’t want to leave it on the street, either.

Cael stepped closer. “Give it to me.”

I met his gray eyes, a tinge of unexpected fear sinking into my chest. I wasn’t sure what made me afraid, but the weight in my bag begged to be lightened. I didn’t want him to have it, but I didn’t want to carry it either, so I took out the pistol and placed it in his hand.

He slid it under his coat, his cold glare never softening. “You’re running out of time. If you don’t get the heir out of the cityverysoon, our chance is over.”

“Thank you for your concern.” I smiled, well aware that he was right, but unwilling to acknowledge it. “Have a nice day.”

His sour expression was the only goodbye he gave me.

* * *

“You’re late,”said Mrs. Whitting when I came in. She eagerly updated me on the sensationalized “attack” in the news, but never connected it to me, thankfully, before giving me the day’s assignments. “We have a lot to do today.Andwe have a nobleman in study room five, so please be on your best behavior.”

It seems she’d found out about Graham—sort of.

“Do you know who he is?” I asked casually.

“I didn’t get a look at him, but if he has his own guards, he must be someone important. Possibly even from one of the Immovable Houses.”

I glanced down the corridor and saw two guards flanking his door. I suspected the news of the attack had put him on edge and made him afraid. Graham was only accessible as long as everyone believed in the perfect safety of the city. And I’d ruined that. A disappointed sigh escaped my lips.

“Don’t even think about it, young lady,” said Mrs. Whitting.

“What do you mean? I—”

“I heard that sigh. You’re practically going weak in the knees over the idea of a nobleman in the library, aren’t you?” She pursed her lips, looking very pleased with herself.

If she wanted to think I was fawning over a nobleman, I’d let her. Better than the truth.

“I’m delighted to see you wearing a different dress today, Miss Yarrow. The color is so meek and delicate. I must say it’s a big improvement.”

---