Page 36 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

“Indeed?” he asked, trying to keep his voice buoyant. “Is Rafiq in?”

“No.” She led him up the steps without waiting for a response. “I’m afraid you will have to content yourself with the company of myself and my hostesses.”

“I shall try my very best to be entertained,” he promised, trailing behind her into the bright, airy entryway. A fair-haired woman Oliver identified as Amelia Southcott hopped down the hallway and launched herself into Kalila’s arms.

“Kalila!” she crowed. “I’m so glad we have you for the—oh, my goodness.”

Miss Southcott was staring at him now, her eyes wide in abject shock.

“Miss Southcott,” he said, offering her a polite bow.

“M-Mr. Booth,” Amelia choked out. Her gaze darted between Kalila and himself, and he was delighted to discover that he was now interacting with one of Kalila’s coconspirators.

“I’ve invited Mr. Booth to join us for tea,” Kalila said, sounding a touch helpless. She pulled at the ribbon of her bonnet, pulled it an inch off her head, and then allowed it to drop once more. “Excuse me,” she said, darting up the stairs.

Hiding more proof of her little scheme, no doubt.

Amelia was soon joined by another flaxen-haired woman, this one tall with a critical glint in her eye. She, too, was unable to stop her mouth from falling open.

“Oliver Booth,” he said, despite knowing that she likely knew his identity. “A pleasure.”

“This is my sister,” Amelia, apparently recovered, said. “Caroline Southcott.”

“How lovely to make your acquaintance, Mr. Booth,” Caroline bit out.

Ah. Two coconspirators.

Amelia smiled at her sister. “Kalila has invited Mr. Booth to stay for tea.”

Caroline frowned. “Is that so?”

“Am I intruding?” Oliver asked.

“No,” Kalila said, reappearing at the foot of the stairs. She had wrapped her hair up in a length of white fabric. Dark curls escaped its grip, framing her angular face. She gave Oliver a sideways glance. “My apologies, Mr. Booth. My bonnet made a mess of my hair.”

Liar, he thought happily, allowing himself to be led into the parlor. They positioned themselves around a small white table laden with teacups and tiny cakes. Amelia began to distribute food and drink while Caroline and Kalila appeared to have a conversation composed entirely of pointed looks.

Amelia sat down and cast her curious gaze to Oliver. “How long did it take you?”

“Take me?” Oliver echoed.

“To walk here,” Caroline interjected, glaring at her sister. “From the university.”

“Not too long,” Oliver said, shooting a grin Kalila’s way. “Not so long as to lose Miss Darwish’s attention.”

Kalila coughed, so he offered her an even wider smile. She was being uncharacteristically subdued, and he so badly wanted to see who Kalila Darwish was outside of her well-tailored suits and fluffy wig. If only she’d trust him enough to—

In a sudden motion, she placed her teacup on the table and asked, “How have you been liking the lecture series?”

Was she baiting him?

“Oh, I’ve been enjoying it immensely,” he replied. “And yourself?”

“I—” She caught herself with startling speed and cleared her throat.

“Ah, apologies,” he said. “I meant to ask if you knew how Rafiq was enjoying it.”

She scowled at him. “He’s enjoying it well enough.”