“In that case,” Nathan drew out the words, and both men leant forward in expectation. Rook knew now that Clara was his masquerade woman but remembering her hand in the curiosity room, this would be the final confirmation.
“Well…” Nathan laboured over the word, dragging it out for dramatic effect, before finally, “yes, to both.”
“God blind me!” Jack exclaimed. “Minks and Farnborough. It breeds maggots in your brain.”
“How do you know about Clara?” Rook asked.
“Ah well, not my finest moment. I’m afraid I was eavesdropping on Hestia and Clara at the archery. Hestia looked very upset, so I followed her around a bit and heard them talking.”
Nathan then explained to his friends the accident with Clara’s hand, and Rook felt a wild urge to thump the blundering Ralph.
“So,” said Jack, “the only problem is why you thought that she’d never been kissed before. I suggest we mull over that with a wee dram.” Jack wiggled the bottle back and forth.
“Just one…” Rook and Nathan said in unison. At first light, Rook was determined to be saddled and heading for London…and Clara.
Jack smiled, hand on heart. “I promise…”
ΦΦΦ
