Page 43 of His Noble Ruin

“I didn’t say that! Just leave me alone, will you?” He pulled on the reins impatiently and the horses stomped their hooves.

“Fine, I’ll go.” I turned around. “But if I were you, I’d do something to make Sir Brennin grateful.” I pursed my lips. “Several cowries more grateful.”

He furrowed his brow but was quiet.

I stepped over to his horses and stroked one on its velvety nose. “I hear the heir’s a bit of a pushover. Without some help, he’ll be in there all day. I hope you’re prepared to wait that long to get paid.”

“It’s really none of your business.”

“True. I’m simply telling you what I would do.”

I moved my hand up to the horse’s forelock, my fingers twisting through the coarse strands. Its ears angled back, and it yanked its head away. Apparently, even the animals in this city didn’t care for me.

“Leave my horses alone.” The man picked up the reins and clicked his tongue.

The horses jolted forward.

I backed away to avoid the hooves and wheels. The streets cleared for the carriage, revealing a familiar uniformed figure under the eaves. Cael looked back at me, his eyes carrying a hint of surprise. He was back sooner than expected. I wondered if he’d sent my message.

I kept up, following on the opposite side of the carriage from the library, and passing Cael on the way. He watched with a wary question on his face.

The horses stopped in front of the library and the driver climbed down from his seat. He rushed up the steps and through the doors.

I stepped up to the empty carriage, my pace casual but every nerve on the alert. The horses rotated their ears my way and whinnied as if they could tell I was up to something. I unlatched the carriage door and stepped inside, shutting it and drawing the thin curtains.

There was a door on each side. Between them, two bench seats faced each other. There wouldn’t be much to hide behind when the door opened. I peered out a slit in the curtain and waited.

Within a minute or two, the library doors burst open and the driver rushed out with Graham close behind.

The journalists surrounded them, shouting and pushing to get closer to the heir.

The driver stood in their path, trying to hold them back while Graham made his escape down the steps.

I let go of the curtain and pulled my knees to my chest, pushing myself as far back into the seat as possible.

A few pounding heartbeats later, the door opened.

Graham stopped in the doorway, his eyes widening when he saw me.

“Please. Just get in and I’ll explain,” I said in a rush. I held my breath. This was the moment I’d find out what he thought of me.

“You?” The driver’s ruddy face appeared behind Graham’s. He pulled the door open all the way. “Get out of my carriage!”

I looked at Graham, my eyes pleading with the words I couldn’t say.

“Move, you common girl!” the driver shouted.

“Let her stay,” said Graham. “Let’s go.”

I smiled, relieved that I hadn’t lost his trust. Somehow.

“She obviously doesn’t have the rank to—”

“Do as I say,” said Graham, forcing authority into his voice, “and I’ll pay you double.”

The smile slipped from my lips when my gaze landed between Graham and the driver and I met eyes with Mrs. Whitting. She glared fiercely from the top of the steps, her chin lifting in satisfaction. Then she nodded to someone out of my view and pointed at the carriage. At me.

Graham climbed in, taking a seat on the bench across from me. “Take us away from here. Fast.”

---