Page 77 of Hawk & Sparrow

The sprawling stone manor that loomed before her reminded her of the castles her father had once described in the fairy tales he’d told her as a little girl. A few seconds passed before understanding dawned on her.

He lives here, she thought, this must be Maximilian’s home.

A flight of stone steps and a set of towering black double doors marked the entrance. The footman held the door open for her and Maximilian, but the sorcerer headed straight for the door without waiting for an umbrella.

“This way,” he said over his shoulder.

Vesper followed, but slower. She’d barely made it up the manor’s steps when one of the front doors opened and doused them in golden light and warmth.

She found herself at the edge of a foyer large enough to rival the Basalton Museum of Art. The floor was covered in polished white marble veined in dark gold, and a large chandelier hung from the ceiling above. Her breath caught as she took it all in. Was this really what Maximilian came home to every day?

“Oh, Mr. Kite!”

Vesper turned in the direction of the new voice. It belonged to a short, stout, older-looking woman with brown skin and kinky black hair, shot through with gray. She stopped before them, looking alarmed.

“I’ve been worried sick!” she addressed Maximilian. “You told me to have dinner ready by seven, but when you didn’t show…”

“My apologies, Mrs. Cauble,” he said. “I was held up by some unexpected events. But if you’ll forgive me…” He turned and gestured to Vesper. “We have a guest.”

The woman called Mrs. Cauble turned too, then jumped. It seemed she hadn’t noticed Vesper.

“Oh,” she said much more quietly.

“Mrs. Cauble, please be introduced to Miss Evans,” Maximilian added.

“Evans?” Mrs. Cauble straightened. “Do you mean the Miss Evans? The one you’re—”

“As I said, we were held up by some unexpected events,” said Maximilian. “Miss Evans needs a change of clothes. After that, Bexley will take her home.”

“Apologies, sir, but that may not be possible.”

All three of them turned as a very drenched coachman stepped inside. He gave Vesper a small but polite bow, then addressed Maximilian again. “I’ve just received word that the city is now under a mandatory lockdown, due to the civil unrest on Pierce Street.”

“Unrest?” Mrs. Cauble placed a hand on her heart. “Good gracious.”

“It’s in effect until morning,” Bexley went on. “The police have closed down all the city’s major roads, and Pierce Street is completely inaccessible.”

Vesper started. If travel through the city was restricted, and she couldn’t get home …

“Very well, then,” said Maximilian. “Miss Evans will stay here for the night. Mrs. Cauble, please prepare one of the bedrooms.”

“Wait, what?” Vesper did her best to keep her voice even. “I can’t … I can’t stay here.”

Maximilian turned to her, one brow raised. For a moment, he looked like his normal self. “Even if you intended to walk home—which I wouldn’t recommend—you heard what Bexley just said. Pierce Street is shut down. They won’t let you back in there. So unless you have another idea…?”

“But what will people say?” Vesper’s voice cracked. “It’ll be a scandal.”

“It’ll only be a scandal if you tell anyone. I certainly don’t plan to.” He gestured around the foyer. “My household’s staff is loyal. They won’t say anything either. No one ever need know that you were here.”

Vesper faltered. “But…?”

“And if you’re worried about impropriety, you can take one of the bedrooms on the third floor. Mine is on the second, so we’ll be completely separated. Mrs. Cauble can even act as a chaperone if you prefer.” A hint of a smile touched his face. “See? All perfectly aboveboard.”

Vesper opened her mouth just as a violent shiver racked her body. She’d been running on adrenaline until this point; now a wave of fatigue hit her so suddenly she thought she might fall over. Mrs. Cauble seemed to read her mind, because she stepped closer and offered an arm of support.

“Come, dear,” she said kindly. “Let’s get you out of those wet clothes and into something warm and dry.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Good night, Mr. Kite.”

Vesper let the woman gently guide her out of the foyer and up the stairs. She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see Maximilian turn on his heel, head down another hallway, and vanish from sight.