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Quesnel was dressed in the part of her curator Showing less skin, sadly, although his trousers were fantastically tight His favourite top hat was turned to the seedy side through the addition of some very loud plaid ribbon He’d even donned a small waxed moustache

The fortress was quiet – presu Mrs Featherstonehaugh, or fighting dissidents, or wheeling cheese, or whatever The olves, unable to work during the day, would no doubt be conducting the night-time search Rue hoped to catch them before they left Or more precisely, she hoped to catch her Uncle Lyall

There was a sleepy guard posted at the side entrance He ju, but didn’t seem to know quite what to do when faced with a flesh dealer and his wares

"Good evening," said Quesnel "Mr Pinpod and a lady to call upon the Kingair Pack Please inform them that we are here"

The man stuttered, "I wasn’t told That is – your names are not on the list Sir and, uh, lady"

"Theyman looked terrified He couldn’t leave his post to check with his superiors, and he didn’t want to cause a scandal

"Oh dear If you could wait asoon"

No doubt he meant it literally Werewolf attachround, for everyone’s safety

"At ease, private," came a calm soft voice, and Uncle Lyall uard "The lady is not unexpected"

Rue batted her lashes "La, sir!" she sierly ceded all responsibility to Lyall’s authority He resuuided theht around the corner of a"Herself is in a temper I wouldn’t bother her if I were you Can I help?" He didn’t even flinch at Rue’s attire

Rue smiled hopefully "Actually it was you I wanted to see It’s Mrs Featherstonehaugh – I think she may be more important than anyone realised I’d like to knowyou can tell ed "We didn’t socialise, I’adier is happy to have a olf attachment but unhappy to have a Scottish one The pack was never invited to his private functions Mrs Featherstonehaugh see Bookish"

Rue perked up "What did she like to read?"