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The crunch of hooves and wheels on gravel alerted us to the arrival of another carriage.
“I’ll tell you later,” I said.
I knew, of course, that I wouldn’t have an answer later.
I moved the curtain aside, watching as Cael exited the newly arrived carriage and waved the driver away. The horses turned and left the way, the guards closing the gates after the carriage passed.
I lifted my gown and climbed out onto the gravel, my high heels rendering me unsteady.
“Evening, Sir Ruskin,” said our driver. “I have delivered your guests, as promised.”
Cael looked me up and down, one eyebrow raised as if holding back whatever cutting remark was on his tongue. Iwondered if I’d lived up to his demand to be the most stunning woman at the ball or if that too had been another failure for me tonight.
Graham got out of the carriage, greeting Cael stiffly but hanging back.
“Thank you, Turner,” Cael said warmly to the driver. “Your work is much appreciated. I ask one last favor from you tonight.”
I shook my head, irritated that Cael had the capacity to speak kindly and never chose to use the skill on me. I suppose if he did after all these years of verbal abuse, it would terrify me.
“Please return Sir Brennin to the ball.” He handed the driver a bag.
“Of course, sir,” she said. “Thank you, sir.”
I bit my lip, wishing Graham could stay.
Graham glanced at me, then back at Cael, his brows furrowed. “I’m not prepared to leave yet.”
Cael shook his head. “If you’re gone too long, your guests will notice, and that won’t serve you.”
Graham paused, then shrugged, an endearing gesture at face value, but infuriating to me at the moment. I was sure he wasn’t listening to Cael out of his own desires. He was probably trying to keep his darkest secret contained—one Cael only knew because Graham had confessed it to me. Bowing to us both, he said goodbye and returned to the carriage.
My heart sank. I hated to see him leave.
“I bid you goodnight,” said the driver in satisfaction as she climbed back into her seat, the full bag in her hand looking as if it held at least a hundred cowries.
The carriage left the grounds and I stood face to face with Cael, waiting for him to reprimand me for my failure.
I prepared to lie, to tell him that his poison simply hadn’t been strong enough, or that I’d been interrupted before Pearce could drink it all.
The firelight from the torches flickered across Cael’s face, casting half of it in shadow, but he didn’t look disappointed or angry like I’d expected. In fact, his smile held a hint of unnerving satisfaction. “One obstacle down,” he said.
I held my breath, waiting for him to say more. I didn’t dare ask any questions. If I admitted I didn’t kill Pearce, he may not tell me what I wanted to know, so I chose my words carefully. “Do I get to see my father now?”
He stepped off the gravel path and headed, not for the front door, but for the back of the house.
With my curiosity in full force, I followed.
Behind the house, Cael led me to a garden shed. It had been painted pale pink with blue trim, if the low lighting was accurate.
He put a key to the lock and opened the door.
I followed him in, expecting a tiny room, but the floor opened into a spiral staircase that descended underground.
“This is quite the garden shed,” I said.
“It’s new,” said Cael. “My personal addition to the home. Not even my parents know about it, so you really ought to appreciate the fact that I’m sharing this with you.”
“I’ll appreciate it if my father’s here,” I said.
