“No,” Minerva said. “We are not packing our trunks and disappearing into the night. I promise you, if it ever looks like any of us are in danger, then we will leave England. Hopefully, I will have received some of the funds from this legacy by then, so we will not be doing it with only the clothes on our backs.” She squeezed their hands. “I swear that I will not be swayed by any fortune to remain, if I believe any of us are at risk. But I’ll not run until I have good reason to, and I intend to do what I can to ensure we never have to take that step.”

Beth’s brow puckered. “Ensure how?”

Minerva released their hands and stood. “Come with me and I will show you.”

* * *

They went above and entered the little study on the street level, the one where Minerva had hit Radnor with a warming pan. Jeremy and Beth kept exchanging perplexed looks.

Minerva went behind the writing desk and opened a drawer. She slid out a large sheet of paper. Yesterday, while she laid her plans, she had worked out the wording now on it, and the layout of the cartouche surrounding them.

She raised it up with a ceremonial flourish.

Beth’s eyes widened. Jeremy smiled.

“Hepplewhite’s Office of Discreet Inquiries,” Jeremy read. “It’s a good name. Memorable.”

“Do you think to actually do this?” Beth asked. “We’ve talked about it, but not seriously. It was just a dream we played with.”

“It was never only a dream to me. I have been planning it for over a year,” Minerva said. “We are good at inquiries. Very good. It is my one true talent. We proved that with Algernon. We just did that good turn for Mrs. Drable and even I was impressed by our skill in uncovering the identity of that thief. We delayed starting this service in a formal way because there are costs, but now I will have the money to pay them. This legacy will enable us to do this up proper, with calling cards and correct wardrobes and transportation when we need it.”

“Not likely you’ll leave that solicitor’s chambers with ten thousand in your reticule,” Beth said. “Could still be a long while before we can start.”

“We will use credit at the shops, based on my expectations. That is commonplace enough.”

“It is easy work, the way I see it,” Jeremy said with a big smile.

His mother frowned at him. “It isn’t a game.”

“It is if you’ve a knack for it.”

He did have a knack for it. They all did. They had practiced during a time when having a knack meant the difference between life and death. A person learns fast then.