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“Excuse me,” said a man’s voice.
I jumped, closing the newspaper and dropping it on the desk.
The heir stood in front of me, his expression as guilty as my own. He frowned at the front page of the paper before looking up at me.
I almost laughed at the ridiculousness of the situation. Both of us were featured in this paper and neither wanted the other one to know.
He smiled. “I’m sorry for startling you. I was just returning this book.” He held out my father’s journal.
“I thought you might’ve fallen asleep in there.” I took the book from him, glad to feel its familiar weight again.
He shook his head. “How could I? That book is . . . compelling.”
I nodded enthusiastically.
His dark brows furrowed. “You’ve read it, then?”
“Oh, um, a little,” I said.
His eyes gleamed. “I’ve never seen drawings of the other islands like that—and the detail is amazing. I had no idea the outlaws built such organized towns or that they educated their children. I’d imagined it all so differently.”
“I know what you mean,” I said.
“I’d like to retrieve the book from the special collection again if you don’t mind. Will you be here tomorrow?”
“Every day.” I smiled.
“Cousin!” A man called from behind Graham. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
I grabbed the paper and held it up in front of my face, pretending to suddenly be absorbed in the news. I couldn’t afford to let him see me.
“Patrick,” said Graham. “I’m on my way. Please excuse me, milady.”
I kept the paper in front of me, speaking to him through it. “Yes. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye,” he said, his voice uncertain. He must’ve been puzzled by my sudden need to read the paper.
I waited until they were long gone before I set it down.
Mrs. Whitting stood at the desk facing me, her hands on her hips. “No dawdling, Miss Yarrow. You still have ten minutes.” She handed me a pile of books to put away.
I sighed and headed toward the tall shelves. As I returned the books to their places, I caught sight of a mustached face coming my way. Cael strutted down the aisle with all the arrogance of a genuine Law Enforcer, like he was meant to wear that uniform.
“Looks like you made the wanted list,” he said with quiet disapproval once he was close.
I didn’t look at him. “It’s fine. They won’t know it’s me. I won’t make any more mistakes.”
“You better not,” he said. “Your mistakes will cost me as much as they’ll cost you.”
“I know,” I said.
“Well?” he asked. “Any progress with the heir?”
“He’s reading the journal.”
“Good,” said Cael. “Maybe it will make up for your lack of charm.”
I rolled my eyes. “Says the expert on charm.”
