James nodded, barely listening, and finally gave her his coat to put away so she’d have something to do. All he wanted was to be alone. What he needed to do required it. He was almost guiltily glad he had missed his friends, that they had gone before he had returned. If he had told them of his suspicions, they would have insisted on remaining with him. He knew it, even before he made his way upstairs and sat wearily on his bed, unfolding Matthew’s note.

Jamie bach—

I would stay if I could, you know that, but it is impossible to fight the Consul single-handedly, especially if she is one’s mother. I left a shilling on the piano bench in case you want to send Neddy with a note, and if you do, we shall all rally around you directly. Knowing you, I suspect you wish to be on your own, but do not expect me to accept that for more than a day’s time. Also, I shall expect the shilling back, you parsimonious bastard.

Yours,

Matthew

James folded the note up and placed it in his shirt pocket, close to his heart. He glanced at the window. Darkness was coming. He could no longer trust the night, or his own mind. His resolve had only hardened as he’d made his way home: he would test himself. Once he knew, he could face his friends, whatever the truth was.

He went upstairs and, in the training room, found a length of densely woven rope. He returned to his bedroom, closed the door firmly, and lay down—barefoot and jacketless, but otherwise fully dressed—on his bed. He proceeded to use the strongest knots he knew to tie his legs and one arm to the bedposts. He was trying to puzzle out a way to tie the other arm with the use of only one hand when Effie bustled into the room, carrying a tea tray.

When she saw the ropes, she froze for a moment before settling the tray carefully on the small table next to his bed.

“Ah, Effie, hello.” James tried to nudge the bedcovers over the ropes, but it was impossible. He waved his one free hand airily. “I was just—I’d heard this was good for the circulation.”

Effie sighed. “I’ll expect a rise in my wages, I will,” she said. “And I’m takin’ the evenin’ off. Just try and stop me.”

She stalked out of the room without another word. Unfortunately, she had set the tray just out of reach, and unless James wanted to go through the business with the ropes a second time, he would simply have to make do without tea tonight.