Perhaps it was the lingering effect of the punch that loosened my tongue, but before I was aware I’d spoken, I said, “You don’t get on well with the governor?”

He moved his cup into his right hand, then with his left he reached up to rub his eyes wearily under his glasses. “He didn’t agree with my brother’s choice of guardian for the children. As I recall, he said something about a boy barely out of knee britches being entirely unsuitable. I don’t disagree with him, but I learned from a very early age not to argue with my brother. If anyone could win a fight from beyond the grave, it would be Robert. And I felt I owed it to my brother to carry out his wishes. I was like Olive, losing my parents when I was young, so Robert and Lily were like parents to me.” He fought back a yawn, then said, “I’ve kept you up far too late, Miss Newton, but I thank you again for your assistance.”

I stood and picked up the tray. “I’m happy to help, sir.”

He struggled up from his chair and moved to open the door for me, pausing with his hand on the doorknob. “You won’t mind not mentioning this to the children or Mrs. Talbot? I wouldn’t want them worrying about me when I’m on my excursions.”

“I can’t imagine why I should need to mention it.”

“Good, thank you, Miss Newton. I bless the day you came to us.”

“I feel very fortunate, as well.” I was just about to step through the doorway when I remembered Lizzie’s notebook. A jolt of panic shot through me. It was full of incriminating evidence that linked me to the Rebel Mechanics. If I’d left it and if he’d opened it, I could have been in terrible trouble. I balanced the tray against my hip so I could free a hand to retrieve the book and place it on the tray before I left the study. If he thought it odd that I’d brought a notebook from a party, he said nothing. I couldn’t help but smile as it occurred to me that it would seem perfectly normal to him. Only the contents would shock him.