But I had had enough of hurting for an entire lifetime. I resolved to keep Henry near me always. I would use both of them as my protection.

Henry had asked if I was happy.

I was safe, and that was better than happy.

—

“So, what is your relation to our Victor?” Mary asked Justine. I chafed at her use of the possessive.

Justine startled, drawn out of the silence into which she had retreated. I walked as close to her as I could, but I still felt a distance between us I would need to work to heal.

She smiled reflexively. “I am employed by the Frankensteins. I started just before Victor left, so I do not know him well. But I take care of his brothers. Ernest, the elder, is eleven. He is such a good boy! So clever, and though he could do without a governess now, he still minds me. He is thinking of entering the military. It makes me scared just thinking of it, but he will be a fine and steadfast soldier someday. William, the baby, is such a dear! He has dimples sweeter than candy, and the softest curls. I worry about how he is sleeping without me. I sing him to sleep every night.”

“William is hardly a baby,” I said. “He is nearly five. You spoil him.”

“It is not possible to spoil a child so wonderful!” Justine gave me the harshest look her gentle countenance was capable of. “And you will appreciate my generosity of love when you have your own babies for me to be nursemaid and governess to.”

Her declaration startled me so much I laughed out loud, a welcome relief to the pressure that was beginning to build unbearably inside my chest. “If I ever have babies, you will already be a mother, and we will raise them as beloved cousins.”

Justine made a funny noise in the back of her throat. I thought, with a pang of guilt, about Henry’s absence and what that might mean for Justine’s private hopes. I had been selfish. I would make it up to her. I linked my arm through hers and drew her closer. “Justine is the best governess in the entire world, and the young Frankenstein boys worship her. The nicest thing I ever did for them was find her.”

Justine blushed, ducking her head. “It is I who have benefited most.”

“Nonsense. Any life is instantly improved by the addition of you.”

Mary laughed. “I concur! You have already rescued me from a dusty, lonely afternoon. And brought me to such an excitingly aromatic destination…”