“End of the line, all off,” my guide called out. I waited until the other passengers had disembarked before I stepped off, and my guide joined me. “What did you think about that, miss?” he asked me.

“It was incredible! If it didn’t have to be a secret, if you could use that for transit, it would greatly diminish the traffic and noise on the streets, wouldn’t it?”

“We think so. But we’re not supposed to be using it, as the tunnels don’t actually belong to us, and they certainly don’t want us moving about the city freely.” He glanced down at his feet somewhat bashfully, then said, “Um, miss.”

“Yes, I know, put the blindfold on me.”

“I appreciate your being so understanding about this, miss. It’s not that we don’t trust you.”

“I know. You can’t be too careful these days.”

After blindfolding me, he led me down passageways, taking a few twists and turns, until finally we came up a flight of stairs into what felt like a somewhat enclosed outdoor space, like an alley. We stepped briefly into the noise of the street, and then he removed my blindfold and handed me into a cab. I opened the grate between the passenger compartment and the driver’s seat and gave the Lyndons’ address.

While we traveled, I used the small mirror in my bag to straighten my hair after the blindfold and the wild underground ride. I was still smiling from the adventure, which had reminded me why I’d been drawn to the Mechanics in the first place. I might disagree with some of their methods, but their accomplishments impressed me.

Within minutes the cab stopped, and the driver helped me down. Mr. Chastain came out and paid the driver, and an anxious Lord Henry came rushing down the stairs as I entered the foyer.

“Everything went well?” he asked breathlessly.

“Perfectly.”

“I heard the Ares arrived.”

“That’s the warship? Yes, it was there, with a great many soldiers.”

“But you made it home safely?”

I gave him a patient smile. “Obviously.”

He noticed my parcel, and his eyes went wide. “Were you able to…” His voice trailed off in worry as Mrs. Talbot approached.

“These are some books I purchased,” I said, loudly enough for Mrs. Talbot to hear. “I found a bookshop with all the latest paperback novels. They’re my weakness, I must confess. They’re probably not appropriate reading material for a governess, but I believe that if I can read the classics in their original languages, then I should be allowed the occasional adventure story in my spare time.”

“I quite agree. If you don’t mind, I may want to borrow one. I could use some light reading.” He turned to the housekeeper. “Yes, Mrs. Talbot? Is there something you need?”