When I got to my room after returning the tray to the kitchen, I took the handkerchief out of my pocket and clutched it briefly before folding it and putting it back in the nightstand drawer. In the same pocket, I found the small gear on its red ribbon. I held it on my palm for a moment, letting it reawaken all the memories from earlier in the evening, when I’d danced with Alec and then run through alleys with him. I gave it a quick little kiss, then stuck it inside Lizzie’s notebook, wrapped the book in a pair of woolen stockings, and tucked them at the back of a drawer behind all my undergarments. Lord Henry might have been eccentric, but I doubted a magister would be pleased about those items being in his home.

*   *   *

The next afternoon, Olive hung on my arm as we left the dining room after Sunday lunch. “Will you play with me, Miss Newton?” she asked.

Her uncle answered for me. “This is Miss Newton’s free day. I’ll read you a story.”

I did have plans for the afternoon, but the child looked so heartbroken that I said, “I may take a walk in the park later. Perhaps you can join me.”

She gave me a hug and went off happily with Lord Henry. Once I was alone in my room, I took Lizzie’s notebook out of my drawer, got some notepaper and a pen out of my desk, and set about writing an article from my notes on the Mechanics’ competition. After seeing how the colonial government wanted to suppress the machines, I felt it was crucial to notify the public about them. When I had something that satisfied me, with many cross-throughs and scribbled inserts in the margins, I made a clean copy, then folded my drafts into the notebook and tucked it back in its hiding place.

Now I needed to get the article to Lizzie. I doubted the mail would be safe or timely enough. I thought I might find her in the park, since we’d met there before. Then I remembered that I’d invited Olive on my walk. She was not an ideal companion for a clandestine meeting. I’d have to find a way to distract her long enough to hand over the article. I folded the pages and put them in the crown of my hat, then put on my hat and gloves. Returning Lizzie’s notebook would have to wait for a meeting without an audience.

I found Olive reading one of her picture books to her uncle, who still looked rather pale. He was drowsing, barely conscious of what she read to him. “Olive, would you care to join me in the park?” I asked, hoping that she’d decline the invitation.

Instead, she closed the book and jumped off the sofa. Lord Henry blinked awake, then said, “Be home before dark.”