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There have been times over the last month where I’ve glimpsed the real Duncan Gray, passionate about his work, brimming with enthusiasm, relaxed and confident, and as quick with a teasing jab as I am. But those moments are rare, and then he seems to remember himself and shut that door. Not slam it. Just quietly close it and retreat into being my dignified and aloof employer.
“Okay,” I say. “So I’m going to a pub with Detective McCreadie as part of an undercover assignment. Is this a new investigation? You haven’t worked with him since the raven case.”
He hesitates. When that hesitation stretches disappointment slams through me.
“Ah,” I say. “Youhaveworked cases together.”You just haven’t brought me in.
Gray rubs his mouth. “This one is still in the early stages. It is not entirely Hugh’s investigation, and there are… complications.”
“Complications?”
“Yes. You cannot tell Isla of tonight’s adven—assignment. If you join us, I must be assured of your full discretion, particularly when it comes to my sister.”
I stare at him. “You’re kidding, right?”
He straightens. “Certainly not. Hugh agrees.”
“Is Isla a suspect?”
He sputters before saying, “Hardly.”
“Then you’re putting me in the same position she put me in last month, when she asked me to keep a secret from you. We all saw how wellthatwent over.”
He pulls at his cravat. “It is not the same.”
“No? Look, if it’s a gory case, while Isla does have a weak stomach, you need to let her make those decisions herself. Otherwise, you are treating your older sister like a child. I know that’s how things are done in this world, but I thought you and Detective McCreadie were better than that.”
It’s a low blow, one that strikes hard, Gray pulling back, his color rising even as his eyes harden.
“I would not do that,” he says, enunciating each word. “I am keeping her out of this investigation because it touches on a delicate subject.”
“Sex?”
More sputtering, and his color rises higher.
I lift my hand against his protest. “If it is sex, thenI’lltell her about it. Otherwise, you really are putting me in a position I won’t let myself get into again. Isla asked me to keep my secret for your own good. You didn’t see it that way, did you? You saw it as a sign that your new assistant couldn’t be trusted.”
He glances away, leaving me with a hard profile. When he looks back, his jaw stays set, and he says nothing.
“What if I have a valid reason?” he says. “And if I am only keeping her out of it temporarily.”
“Temporarily because she should eventually know? Or temporary because she’s bound to find out?”
He doesn’t answer.
“I will help you tonight because Isla is away,” I say. “However, at the point where taking part in this investigation requires me lying to her, then you have to tell her.”
He sighs. “How can I refuse when you are fair and reasonable? Go back to being silly. It is much harder to remain angry when you are in that mood.”
“Ah, so youhavebeen angry.”
“Occupied, not angry. Come along then. I will explain the case on the way.”
TWO
I need to change out of my work clothing. When I’d first arrived, I’d thought it was a uniform. I know now that this time period predates standard domestic staff uniforms, so what I wear is simply one of two outfits provided by Isla, which is not so much about appearances as having an excuse to provide us with working clothes rather than expect us to buy our own.
Changing in my time would have taken five minutes. Triple that here, and that’s with leaving on my chemise, corset, corset cover, petticoats, stockings, and drawers. We’re in the age of cage crinolines, but that doesn’t apply to housemaids, and I prefer the layers of petticoats, mostly because it keeps me warm. June in Edinburgh is not exactly my idea of hot summer weather, especially when the wind is blowing, as it often is.
