Page 12 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Booth,” Amelia said in that detached way of hers. She walked over to a book that had been left on the table and tucked it under her free arm. “How do you know Dameer?”

“I’m a member of the Society of Microscopic Biology,” Mr. Booth explained. “I’m sure Mr. Rafiq has told you about the lectures that begin next week.”

Amelia smiled. “Of course.”

“I came to make Mr. Rafiq’s acquaintance,” Mr. Booth continued, the very picture of civility. “He’s quite famous around these parts, Miss Southcott. He keeps the Society rather occupied with his theories.”

“How lucky that he chooses to send them your way,” Amelia said, her tone featherlight.

Mr. Booth chuckled, the sound sincere and uninhibited. “Lucky is certainly the word I’d use, yes. He’s built quite the rapport with us.”

“Indeed,” Dameer said. “Tell me, Mr. Booth, are you visiting all the participating scientists?”

“Not at all,” Mr. Booth replied, speaking in a way that suggested a complete and utter lack of shame. “Only yourself. I was most interested to meet the man responsible for all the theories that come to our door, fantastical though they are.” Then—and Kalila could barely believe this—he winked at Amelia.

Wonderful. Her archnemesis was a rogue with a heart-wrenching, lopsided smile.

Also—fantastical?! The nerve of him. He wasn’t even capable of proper critique and was therefore the last person who could—

“And now that you’ve met,” Amelia said, “what do you make of him?”

Behind Kalila, Caroline bit back a groan.

Mr. Booth eyed Dameer with a curious air. “He’s spirited—and rightfully unsure of me.”

“Rightfully?” Amelia echoed.

Mr. Booth nodded. “I’m afraid I haven’t made a very good impression with my comments on your work, Rafiq.”

“One could say that, yes,” Dameer said, bringing forth a surge of affection in Kalila. Of course he’d prickle on her behalf.

“Ah, well.” Mr. Booth ran a hand through his tousled hair and gave an embarrassed smile. “You’ll soon find out that it’s all in good fun. We’ll be far better than acquaintances by the end of all this.”

“How lovely,” Amelia crooned. Caroline let out a purposefully loud cough, which made Amelia stand to attention. “Well! I’m afraid you must excuse us, Mr. Booth. We’ve ever so much to do, what with Dameer’s grandmother visiting and all. I don’t know if he’s told you, but she’d quite old and in need of our help.”

“Of course.” Mr. Booth allowed himself to be shepherded from the room and Kalila almost collapsed with relief. “I’ll see you in two days, Rafiq. Bright and early, hmm?”

“Bright and early,” Kalila heard Dameer grumble.

When the door finally shut, Kalila and Caroline burst into the parlor.

Amelia fell onto the chaise with a sigh. “He is even more beautiful up close.”

“He’s all right,” Dameer muttered.

“You did a wonderful job, Dameer,” Caroline said. “And you,” she said to Kalila, “are about to have the most interesting summer.”

Please, Kalila thought, stomach squeezing at the thought of Mr. Booth’s lazy smile. Tell me something I don’t know.

Chapter Five

Sunlight streamed into the townhouse’s attic, landing directly on Kalila’s pillow as she gazed at her surroundings in a state of half sleep. She had specifically asked for this room, which she had transformed into a working laboratory, because it was less prone to vibrations that would disturb her specimens. Closing her eyes, she wondered why she’d awoken so early in the first place. Just as she was drifting off, the door was thrown open with such force that it was a miracle it didn’t fly off its hinges.

“Good morning!” Caroline chirped.

Kalila sat up, pushing her wild hair away from her face.

Oh. Right.