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"By the way," the professor added, "try not to break any heads with that bonewood I should hate to have to answer to the Inspectors, especially when they’ve been so suspicious" He started to turn away, then paused "One e, should you need to leave early, and to keep an eye on things fro held should anything untoward happen" In a louder voice, his joviality back on display, he said, "And you two shall have an enjoyable evening, eh?" He clapped Cade on the shoulder and left thean’scloak over her shoulders and to see theh the front door

"What is it?" Karigan asked, startled just to hear hiuess I should not be surprised, but Dr Silk hasn’t sent just any cab to pick us up"

"No, indeed, sir," Grott said in awe "This is fros Livery Coan, of course, did not know the Hastings Livery Company from any other, but she noted that the coats on the ht of the streetlae itself was a spotless lacquered black with a filigreed "H" on the door Three coach, the other two riding the footboard at the rear One of the attendants stepped down to open the carriage door as Karigan and Cade approached He expertly handed Karigan up into the carriage, and she found herself in a coold burnished oak, and deep red brushed velvet A crystal lalow She sank into one of the luxuriant cushioned seats, as Cade sat opposite She had never ridden in anything quite this elegant

"Would the gentleman and the lady care for some refreshment?" the coachan opened hershe was supposed to be Miss Goodgrave, not Rider G’ladheon

"Very well, sir," the coachman said, and he closed the door

"What if I wanted soan demanded

"Invariably what they’d offer is wine or brandy or soe started forward, Karigan marveled at how distant, alrind of the wheels sounded outside Little noise seemed to permeate the interior of the cab "It’s so quiet," she res The cab is almost impervious to noise inside and out Just as very little sound comes in from outside, conversations inside are not overheard fros is the vehicle preferred by those in the Capital seeking discretion Those who are wealthy enough to hire one, that is"

"So they cannot hear us?" Karigan asked, vaguely gesturing to indicate the coachmen

"Not likely, but"

"Dr Silk sent it," she said in a low voice

Cade nodded "Most likely he just wishes to iuests with his wealth" He leaned toward her and spoke softly "If word got out that guests were overheard in a Hastings, it would be a tremendous breach of trust, and it would ruin the company’s reputation Not only that, but it would put Dr Silk in ill odor aan finished for him in a whisper

He nodded, and sat back in his seat He pushed the drape away fro to peer through it "Looks like Luke is following right behind us I suppose it’s better to be obvious than have hi suspicious"

How did one sneak around in a carriage anyway? Karigan wondered

Not only was the cab quiet, but the carriage itself rode very solidly with no jarring bumps or thuds No doubt as s as to the luxurious passenger coan was entirely disoriented, able to see little through the frosted glass "Can you tell where we’re going?" she asked

"I haven’t the faintest," Cade replied "I lost track a few turns ago"

Even though Karigan had known their destination was supposed to be a h she knew Luke followed behind, trepidation of the unknown gnawed at her She did not like having so little control, and she gripped the handle of the bonewoodelse

It further displeased her that Cade continued to avoid looking at her or initiating conversation It was as if nothing had happened between theht to hi with her bonewood

"Ow! What was that for?" He rubbed his calf where she’d struck hian smiled beneath her veil Not only had she roused his attention, but she’d forced hi ht after" Now she found herself at a loss Why did things never go well for her when it ca veil out of her face so there was no barrier between the her face bared? "I thought," she now said with resolve, "that after that night ewell, that you ht be a little morethat you’d at least talk to le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true">