Page 27 (2/2)

I took a sip "It is possible I could have convinced you that Miranda was responsible for the attacks on your person," I agreed "But the fact that she arranged for her father to be possessed to assist in an invasion of the city?" I set down my cup "That you had to hear froht" She left her own tea untouched "Lord Walsh and I are exceedingly grateful for the discreet ave her the answer to the question she wasn’t asking "I’ve worked before for other fas are done here" When she reached for her reticule, I shookI refused to provide you with ht lines round the corners of herI can do for you?"

"At times my work requires me to make inquiries I am always discreet, of course, but as an ordinary cit I am denied access to certain circles" I sipped my tea before I added, "Under such circumstances, I would be most appreciative if I could rely upon your counsel and assistance"

"Were he to discover such an arrangement, my husband would absolutely forbid it" She smiled "I will have to see to it that he never does Would you care for a crumpet?"

Chapter Fourteen

Lady Diana did not provide e when I left her horatitude--but she instructed the butler to summon a cab and have it take me wherever I wished

"Where to, miss?" the driver asked as he helped me inside

Somewhere in the city Dred the Tillers with news of the Reapers’ planned invasion Even if I could find the secretplace of the spiritborn, as a female I would likely not be permitted entrance

Not that I cared to be privy to Tiller secrets I had my own to sort out

"Drive to the docks," I told the man "But don’t rush I’m in no hurry"

He touched his cap before he closed the door

As the cab headed down froers overme that it still functioned as my parents had intended The chain snapped as I jerked it frorandfather appeared in the next instant, his white hair neatly slicked back, his old-fashioned suit exquisitely pressed "I’ive a moment to explain, I may be of some considerable assistance to--"

"Save the speech, Harry," I said, cutting hih time didn’t robchatty "Well, then, you’ve tih to stop the invasion You should start with Walsh and his daughter, but steer clear of that wretched Dredmore Perhaps that Inspector Doyle fellow can be recruited to assist you He see like that? I like Arthur’s boy Young Thoreat potential"

"You know very well that I’ve already been to see Nolan Walsh, and that Miranda has dealt with You were there with me, old man" I leaned forward "As you’ve been with ht, then" He sat back and folded his arhter, Charain, Harry," I said with great patience "You never had a choice in the e of theshade and pretended to admire the scenery "I say, are we near that fruit ave it ahen he called inny bauble,’ " I said "Certainly there are ladies a the ton ear tiny flasks fashioned to look like bracelets and watches and pendants, and I presu like those But I misheard him It’s his accent; it’s almost as bad as Wrecker’s"

"I just now realized, I’ve never seen your office" Harry gavelook "We should take a ride over that way I’ve tiinny bauble, did he?" I waited, but e "He said genie bottle"

Harry made a halfhearted atteel There is no such thing"

"My parents did make the pendant to contain a spirit, but it wasn’t mine" I watched his face "They used it to capture and imprison the spirit of the Ararandfather opened hishis head

"That’s how you knew everything that has happened toabout htstone"

"I did try, quite often, those first ten years" He sat back "I ic, or your father’s science, but the two together were beyond ift"