I eyed her suspiciously and edged back another step. “In the mood for some planting?” I murmured, just loud enough for her to hear.
A sardonic smile pulled at her lips. “Is that what’s got you in a dither? I wondered why you kept moving away.”
“Do you blame me? It’s no secret that you don’t want me here, and I prefer to make my own choices rather than be coerced into obedience.”
We kept our voices low, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Marin leaning closer to catch what we were saying.
Cate sighed. “I only desire a little more privacy. We won’t leave the room, and you’ve more than adequate witnesses to keep me on my best behavior.”
My mouth pressed to a thin line. “Fine,” I said after a moment. “But you’d better not try anything.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Yes, you would,” I mumbled, but followed all the same when she moved the short distance to the wall. “What do you want?”
“Tom and I attempted to join you on your outing today, but by the time we’d changed forms and returned to the street, you were long gone.” She spoke under her breath, though there was little chance of our being overheard.
“I realized the connection right before we came in here.”
“Then perhaps you also understand that we’re wasting valuable time here.” She darted a look at my forehead. “Will you allow me to look at your thoughts? It will be quicker and far more accurate than a verbal recounting. I can then relay the information to Tiarnach in a similar manner.”
I glanced at my great-grandfather. Tight worry lines marred his face as he watched us. “How do I know you won’t try to put ideas in my head or compel me to return to England?”
“As much as I wish otherwise, I give you my word not to interfere with your agency.”
Several long seconds passed. “I don’t know.”
“Let me remind you that while we’re here arguing, your best friend is in the hands of a lunatic.”
My grandmother knew just where to strike. “Very well. You should probably go back to when I first left London. A lot has happened since then.”
Cate nodded, and having no need to hide the intrusion, she sent another flood of warmth into my shoulder. It traveled up my neck into my head where it blossomed inside my skull.
Half a minute passed when her brows rose in surprise. “My, my,” she breathed. “You have been busy.”
I didn’t say anything, just shifted my gaze to the table, where Sean had placed a hand over Marin’s. They watched us, no doubt confused by our odd behavior. A smug smile quirked on my lips from the shock they would experience upon discovering their relationship to Lady Dinley and Mr. Faber. It would serve them right for what they’d done. Or not done, in their case, thus keeping me in the dark all those years.
Tom took a long drink from his tankard. The other men continued to watch us as well, four at the table and two at the fireplace, until two serving girls arrived with trays laden with food.
Cate’s hand lingered on my shoulder after the warmth faded from my head. “Are you certain Brigid’s knife was stolen?”
“I’ve searched my saddlebags, and it’s nowhere to be found. All I can guess is that one of the sailors took it while we supped with Captain Lynch.”
Her disappointment was evident. “Do you think Miss O’Bearra may have recognized its importance and tossed it overboard when she took the stone?”
I considered the question. “If she had, she would have told me by now.”
Cate nodded. “Her grandmother was the same. I’m pleased to see the family trait has continued.”
“Is that why you were kind to her?”
“A small part, I guess, though mostly because I detected no guile in her countenance. You were wise to trust her.” A flicker of annoyance crossed her face. “Lord Stroud, on the other hand, has yet to prove his merit and should not have been given my true identity.”
“Justine told him first.” I sounded like a petulant child.
“Your aunt may have given up her own identity to save you, but she would never have revealed mine to anyone outside the family.”
If that were the case, then I had completely misread Julian’s reaction at the riverbank. Yet he wasn’t the only one who had benefited from my lack of restraint. “Mr. Roth knows as well.”
“So I gathered from your memories.” Cate closed her eyes for a brief moment. “I should just paint a placard and hang it from my back.”
“They would have figured it out on their own once they arrived at the inn tonight.”
“Well, that is all they need to know for now. Brigid’s second gift and our family connection are not to be discussed with anyone.”
I darted a glance at Sean and Marin.
“Especially with your brother and his wife,” she murmured. “Your grandfather and I are merely two young goddess born come to help with Carmen, and that is sufficient for them to know for now.”