Page 54 of Four Promises to Love

“Can’t we still enjoy happiness while we can?” she asked.

Finn gave her a squeeze. “Yes—which is why I am buying you that shawl.”

Nell’s eyes widened behind her spectacles. “Oh, you mustn’t. It is far too much⁠—”

“With all the sittings we’ve been conducting, we deserve a treat.” Finn tugged her toward the shop door. “And no one deserves one more than you.”

Much to Finn’s relief, by the time the Hawks headed back to Pell House, everyone seemed in better spirits. Even Caleb was boisterous. Having stumbled upon a card game, he’d relieved the other players of their winnings and couldn’t stop crowing about it. Finn wanted to warn him against cheating the villagers but decided she’d rather keep the temporary peace.

All in all, she felt lighter. True, they hadn’t accomplished their mission yet, but they were once again a team. Tansy was perched on Simon’s shoulders, singing while he whistled, and Nell couldn’t stop stroking her new shawl. As for Finn, she’d confided her attraction to Owen—and the sky hadn’t fallen.

Maybe there was hope after all.

Taking out the key, she was about to unlock the door—and froze when she saw it was ajar.

“Someone’s inside,” she whispered.

As one, the Hawks fell into formation. Tansy jumped down from Simon’s shoulders, landing gracefully, her small blades at the ready. Caleb slipped on the metal knuckles he always carried, and Simon took out his cudgel. Nell removed a small pistol from her skirt, and Finn slid the dagger from her boot.

She made hand gestures to indicate the plan, and everyone nodded their understanding. Simon and Tansy posted themselves on either side of the door.

“One, two, three,” Finn mouthed.

She shoved the door open, going in low, with Caleb and Nell up high, flanking her.

Silence greeted them. The only movement was that of dust motes floating in the afternoon light. Her breath hot in her lungs, Finn surveyed the entry area. Nothing out of place⁠—

“There’s a note.” Nell pointed at the folded paper nailed to the back of the door.

Cautiously, Finn tore the note from the door. She unfolded it, and her blood turned to ice.

Time is running out. You have a week to bring me what I asked for—or Iris will suffer the consequences.

Sixteen

Arriving at Bottoms House, Owen had just handed his hat to Brunswick when Ethan and Xenia came into the entry hall.

“Welcome home, brother,” Ethan said. “We were not expecting you until tomorrow.”

“I concluded my business earlier than expected,” he replied.

He’d wrapped things up as efficiently as possible so that he could return to Finn. He had missed her—even dreamt of her. In general, he didn’t like dreams—too many of them contained blood-soaked memories—but since Finn, he’d had a few that were alluringly erotic. While he couldn’t recall the exact content (more the pity), this morning he’d awoken to an insistent cockstand and the scent of Finn and roses.

He couldn’t wait to see her. Maybe they could have their rendezvous tonight…

“It is good that you are back early,” Xenia said. “I have a feeling Seraphina could use some help. She has had a busy morning⁠—”

“Hold up.” Owen couldn’t suppress his excitement. “Seraphina is here?”

“Yes,” Xenia said. “She returned yesterday—said she needed to gather more impressions before the séance.”

“She and her assistants have been all over the manor,” Ethan said. “Like flies on a carcass.”

Xenia winced. “Couldn’t you employ a more pleasant metaphor, darling?”

“Like a stinging nettle’s rash over skin?” Ethan suggested.

Leaving the two to their banter, Owen went in search of Finn. In the drawing room, he found Caleb, who was under the watch of James and Evie. The lad was crouching and running what appeared to be a wooden stick over the floorboards.