Olive’s arrival put a halt to the conversation. She hugged her uncle, then came over to me. “Miss Newton, I am sincerely sorry for falling asleep last night when you were reading me a story,” she said, her head bowed in contrition.

I patted her on the shoulder. “That’s quite all right. I was reading you the story to help you sleep.” She brightened instantly and took her seat to nibble at a slice of toast.

Henry met my eyes, and for a second I caught a glimpse of the man who lay behind the absentminded mask. The mask returned when Rollo entered, bright-eyed and eager. “Did they burn down the city?” he asked.

“It probably won’t be in the newspaper until the afternoon edition,” his uncle said, “but there was little damage around here.”

“Oh.” Rollo’s shoulders sagged with disappointment as he turned to fill his plate from the sideboard.

“But until we know more,” Lord Henry continued, “I’ll walk you to school this morning. I’d rather not have Olive and Miss Newton that far from home on their own.”

I barely swallowed my cry of dismay. I’d hoped to give my article to Nat on the way home from the school. “Do you really think it’s that bad?” I asked, trying to sound as though the answer was immaterial to me. “They’ll hardly riot in daylight.”

“I’m probably being overly cautious,” Lord Henry agreed. “But please indulge me this once.” I couldn’t argue with that, not without raising suspicions, but I needed to find a way to get out, however briefly.

Mrs. Talbot entered the breakfast room and said, “Sir, there’s been a message from the school. Classes are canceled for today. There was some damage from last night’s unfortunate events. Repairs are being made, and classes should resume tomorrow at the usual time.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Talbot,” Lord Henry said with a nod, and she departed.

Rollo jumped out of his seat with a shout of triumph.

“If I weren’t absolutely certain that you didn’t leave the house last night, I’d suspect you of having done the damage yourself,” Lord Henry said to his nephew. “However, your celebration is premature. You’ll have lessons today with Miss Newton and Olive.”

“That’s not fair!” Rollo blurted. “Everyone else in my class will have a holiday.”

“Then you’ll be ahead of them.” To me, Lord Henry added, “I think you should work on his reading and writing. Math and science aren’t a problem, but his writing is barely literate. Perhaps some Latin drills, as well.”