Never in the decade that she’d known him had she ever seen Lord Sheridan look so uncomfortable. “Of course. That is . . . I’ll try. Though I don’t, to be honest, even know what these men look like. Which is to say, all our communications have been by letter. Or telegram. They wouldn’t know me if they saw me. And . . .” He glanced toward the three of them against the wall. “Then there’s the matter of Lady Emily showing up. I must say, I’m not sure what that portends.”

Bram stroked a hand down Darling’s striped back. “So, what you’re telling me is this is bigger than you know, you don’t know how to stop it, and you didn’t even see fit to tell me that we were walking into it, much less that my sister was involved.”

Sheridan cheered a bit. “Well, I didn’t know that part. Your sister, I mean. Can’t blame that on me.”

Bram hissed out a breath and turned to her. “Pack your bags. We’re leaving before you get hurt.”

“I don’t think it’s that simple.” Since she was experimenting with prayers, she mentally whispered one for courage, since he’d stolen her kitten. And met his gaze. “They think I’m her. They’ll probably be watching the ferry, ready for her to try to flee. For me to, I mean.” And now she was starting to sound like Sheridan. She shook her head. “We have to just see it through, Bram. Put a halt to it.”

Bram’s jaw ticked he was clenching his teeth so tightly.

“She’s right.” It was one of the only times she could remember Sheridan being in agreement with her on anything. “So . . . any ideas on how to accomplish that?”

24

Mabena walked as far as the gate with Casek, not quite willing to leave the circle of still-heated conversation inside the library, but also not ready to part from him. The school day wouldn’t wait for them to sort matters out here though. And this close to the end of the third term, there were always far too many recalcitrant boys getting sent to the headmaster’s office. Well, to be fair, there were no doubt recalcitrant girls too. She’d certainly seen the inside of that office often enough.

It was still strange to imagine this hulking giant folded behind the desk instead of Mr. Morris. Just as it was still strange to think that this hulking giant could be hers. She trailed her fingers down his arm, the skin still warm from sport and summer. Cador had been an inch shorter, far slighter. It came of ignoring sports and exercise in favor of books, she supposed. But how had she convinced herself she preferred that? He couldn’t hold a candle to Casek.