But I didn’t like being threatened. And I really didn’t know just how much damage that threat might cause.
“. . . and it helps that I’ve had so much guidance and experience under Father’s rule,” Warren was telling me. “I took part in some of the battles against the Icori savages. And even though they’re gone, there’s still work to be done in cleaning up Denham. Not just villains and highwaymen. There’s the pirates, of course. And there are heretics skulking around, you know. In fact . . .” He glanced at the clock. “We’re dealing with some very soon.”
I blinked, trying to clear my head and refocus on him. “What do you mean?”
“Today’s one of their dark holidays—the Alanzans, I mean. The demon worshippers. We’ve learned of where they’re meeting, and we plan on arresting them.”
He had me hanging on his every word now. “When?”
“We’ll leave in two hours or so, maybe less, depending on how long it takes us to group and plan our course. I’m afraid that means I’ll have to break from the party early,” he said apologetically. “But I feel it’s important I lead the charge—in light of both my current and future positions.”
Tomorrow is the Star Advent, Mira had told me yesterday morning.
Cedric can’t be here. He’s out with friends tonight, Jasper had said on the way here.
And I knew. I knew Cedric wasn’t out with friends, not exactly. He was out with other Alanzans, off celebrating this Star Advent in some grove or another. A grove that would very likely be raided by armed men. Desperately, I tried to keep my wits about me.
“This . . . this is so fascinating,” I told him. “But you must forgive me—I’m getting the most terrible headache. It’s hard to pay attention.”
Warren instantly turned solicitous. “Is there anything I can do?”
“No, no, thank you. I think the best thing is for me to go home and rest.” I forced a smile. “I guess we’ll both be leaving early.”
I found Jasper and told him my story. He wasn’t happy about my leaving, but Warren’s impending departure softened the disappointment. Jasper arranged for one of his men to escort me home in the carriage and then return to wait for the other girls. Clara was deep in conversation with a banker, and Jasper had no interest in pulling her and Mira home early for my convenience.
I thanked the Doyles for their hospitality, and Warren again regarded me with concern. Viola looked as though she knew exactly why I had a “headache,” but she offered nothing but polite smiles.
On my way out, I pulled Mira aside. “Are you okay?” she asked. “Do you want me to come home with you?”
I shook my head. “No, but I do need your help. Answer two questions for me.”
She looked me over curiously. “Yes?”
“Do you know where the Alanzans will meet tonight? For their Star Advent?”
Mira stayed silent for several moments. “What’s your other question?”
“I need to know how you get in and out of the house undetected.”
“Those are big questions,” she said.
“And I wouldn’t be asking them without a good reason,” I returned, echoing what she’d said about her nightly escapes.
At last, she sighed. “You can’t tell anyone.”
“You know I won’t.”
“Of course not,” she said, giving me a weary smile. “I shouldn’t have suggested it.”
She told me what I wanted to know, and I thanked her with a hug. Jasper’s driver called for me, and I hurried off with him into the night—off to save Cedric.
Chapter 16
Most of the girls were still out when I returned to the house. Upon hearing my headache story, Mistress Culpepper immediately sniffed my face to make sure I hadn’t been overindulging in any spirits. When she was finally satisfied with my excuse, she sent me off to my room.
As I shut my bedroom door, I experienced a weird feeling of déjà vu, recalling how I’d used another fake headache back in Osfro to win myself some privacy. It felt like a lifetime ago. I immediately stripped out of my elaborate lace party gown and began searching for the most practical thing I owned. There wasn’t a lot. Most of our wardrobe was geared toward maintaining our grandiose image. Even our casual attire was embellished and rich. I finally found one of the day dresses I’d worn on board the ship, a simple one of pale pink lawn, scattered with white flowers. A light cloak and sensible shoes were the only other things I’d need in our warming spring weather. To make my escape, however, I put a large woolen night robe over it all.