“What? Who?”

“My father,” I said, my voice every bit as grim as I felt. “He knows you can lie. Your secret isn’t a secret, at least not from him. I’d bet my life on it.”

Tips blanched. “That can’t be possible. He’d never stand for it if he knew. Your father already hates us – if he’d found out half-bloods could lie, we’d all be dead by now.”

“He doesn’t hate you,” I said absently, staring at the wall behind Tips. “Hate is something he reserves for those with whom he has personal grievances. And he’d never act so impulsively if he thought he could put the information to use.” A plan was beginning to form in my head. It was risky and rash, nothing I would ever have tried in the past, but it might just work.

“I’m afraid to ask,” Tips muttered.

“Think of it this way,” I said. “He knows you can lie to him, but you don’t know that he knows. Not only can he use it against you, he can use you against his enemies by taking advantage of the fact that they don’t know either.”

Tips raised both eyebrows, giving me a dour look. “This is why I hate dealing with the aristocracy – you’re all mad.”

I grinned. “It’s brilliant.”

“Right.”

I leaned forward. “Have you told anyone I caught you out?”

Tips winced. “Not yet. Haven’t found the courage to tell them I slipped up.”

“Excellent.” I would’ve clapped my hands together if they didn’t hurt so much. “I’ve an idea. It’s more than a bit mad, and if it goes poorly, we might both lose our heads. But I think it’ll work.”

“And I must be mad to listen to you, but I’m going to anyway.” Tips leaned on the table, his eyes bright. “Tell me what you’ve got in mind.”

Chapter 21

Cécile

My mother wandered past me to look out the window, leaving a cloud of perfume in her wake. “You will stay in tonight, I trust,” she said, letting the drapes fall back into place.

“I will,” I said. “I think a cup of tea and a book are what I need.” I coughed quietly. “My throat has been a bit sore, and I don’t care to overdo it.”

She frowned at me. “I hope you aren’t coming down with something – you’ve seen how much work the Regent’s masque will be.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing.” I glanced at the clock. I’d told Chris to come to the back door at seven, but hopefully he’d be wise enough to ensure my mother was actually gone before he knocked. “Where did you say you were going?” I asked, looking blindly at the book in my lap.

“The Marquis is accompanying me to the palace for my performance. After that, we’ll have to see. It seems anyone who is anyone is having a party tonight.”

“Seems like poor planning on their parts,” I muttered. I really didn’t care about my mother’s social schedule – what I cared about was her leaving so I’d have the privacy to try this spell.