I stepped down onto my chair, then turned and shut the window. I felt horribly earthbound as I climbed down from the chair onto the floor. Once I was back in the ordinariness of my bedroom, I suddenly felt like I’d been up far too late. I removed and hung up my coat, took off my boots and stockings, and climbed into bed.

My last thought before I fell asleep was to wonder if Henry had made it home yet.

*   *   *

I woke the next morning with the sense that I’d dreamed the entire adventure. I’d certainly flown often enough in my dreams. The only tangible evidence that the night before had been at all unusual was a pair of stockings left lying beside my boots on the floor, which I knew hadn’t been there when I went to bed the first time, and the chair that still sat under the window.

Lord Henry wasn’t at breakfast when I went downstairs, and I couldn’t help but worry. Had he been caught in spite of our efforts, or had he merely had a later night than I had? When he appeared in the breakfast room a few minutes later, I nearly forgot myself and ran to hug him. He looked much the worse for wear, with bleary, bloodshot eyes and a greenish tint to his skin, but there were no visible wounds. “Miss Newton,” he greeted me tersely before asking for tea.

“Aren’t you feeling well this morning?” I asked.

“Do I look that bad? No, don’t answer. I know I do. That headache plagued me all night.”

“I will try to keep Olive quiet this morning, then.”

He gave me a rueful smile. “That’s kind of you, but I have business out of town. I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you alone tonight. If the children misbehave, think of whatever dire punishment you deem appropriate, tell them I said that’s what I would do, and I’ll carry it out upon my return.”

“I’m sure they’ll give me no trouble at all.” I wanted to ask where he was going, but I doubted that would be a proper question for a governess to ask her employer, even one as friendly as mine. I suspected his business had something to do with the rather large sum of money he’d appropriated the night before.

I seldom saw him during the day since he usually stayed in his study when he was home, so I didn’t miss his presence until dinnertime, when a referee for the usual arguments would have been nice. I let the children squabble while I daydreamed about flying, then I assigned reading to the elder two while I sent Olive to bed early.