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“No, I wasn’t,” the man said, crossing his arms. “I’m here to talk you out of this crime.”
Lucy scooped up one of the pups that trotted over to her. “You call it a crime, but I call it saving innocents.”
“’Tis a crime, Lucy,” William said.
Greer crossed his arms over his chest. This crime he already knew about, had even helped her accomplish. He frowned even more. “I’m not concerned about this incident,” Greer said. “I’m more concerned with why ye didn’t tell me your last name is Cranfield.”
Lucy turned toward him, pup still clutched to her as if someone might yank it away to toss to a bear waiting outside the stable. “Because I don’t like the name.”
“Because your mother was a traitor and tried to kill your queen,” Greer said.
“Of course,” she said, as if it was the most foolish statement she’d ever heard.
“And are you also a traitor?” Greer asked.
“Well, William would call me one.”
“No, I wouldn’t,” William said. “I would say you are rash, take too many risks for others, and don’t follow the rules meant to protect you.” There was a softness in Darby’s rebuke.
“I don’t need protection,” Lucy said. “I need someone to help me carry a pup to Cranfield House tonight.”
“Ye didn’t answer my question,” Greer said, picking up the second pup, Pip, who’d lifted onto his back legs to paw Greer’s knees.
“Which question?” Lucy asked.
“Are you a traitor plotting to kill the queen?”
“Of course not,” she answered.
“Of course not,” Darby added on the tail end of her answer.
“Although, if I were, I certainly wouldn’t say yes,” Lucy said.
Darby slapped his palm to his forehead.
“Well, ’tis true,” she said. “And Master Buchanan is clever enough to know that.”
Lucy looked at Greer. “Why would you even bother to ask?”
They stared at each other, both holding dogs, and Greer frowned at the loops she was weaving. Lucy Cranfield was disarming and very clever. It wasn’t often he was at a loss for words.
“I will help ye take the dogs to Cranfield House,” Greer said. That way he could see the lair of Lady Agatha Cranfield.
Lucy’s frown inverted into a sweet smile, that surely won over the hearts of those at court. “Thank you, sir.” She walked past him, completely ignoring Darby.
“What shall I tell Walsingham?” Darby called after her.
“Don’t mention Pip and Percy or you’ll be answering to your sister if I’m thrown into the Tower, William Darby,” she called.
Greer strode after the lass masquerading as a lad. Several people, dressed in the winter woolens of servants, were traveling in and out of the arched gates onto King Street. Lucy tucked Percy under her cloak, and Greer did the same with Pip. They didn’t say anything until they’d blended into the shadows beyond the gate house.
Occasional laughter and carol singing broke the quietness of night. A gentle snow fell around them. The more Greer held Pip, the more he couldn’t imagine the sleepy fellow ever charging at a tethered bear. Although children were raised to be warriors every day. Was Lucy raised to be a traitor?
“Thank you for helping me,” Lucy said as she pointed them up another street where a few encased oil lamps were lit. “William wasn’t bending tonight.”
“Does he help ye often?” he asked.
“William wants to help me,” she said, “but he struggles with his loyalties. Working for Lord Walsingham is the way he can keep his father and himself employed as poison seekers in the queen’s service.”
