Tony leaned on the back of a chair, eyes wide, mouth open. Then he sat across the low coffee table from me. “But why? Is there something I’m not providing you?”

I considered my bird in its lovely cage. “What if Frank Pagliacci’s men shot you during the ambush at your warehouse? By law, all this,” I gestured around me, “would revert to your father. He makes no pretense: this is for the protection and benefit of you, and you alone. He has no use or regard for me, other than to provide you with an heir.”

Which, if I had any say in it, would never happen. I took a special tea every morning to ensure this. I would never bear a child to be used as a pawn in some Family scheme.

I turned to Sawbuck, who sat beside me. “Would you protect me from Jack Diamond? Or Frank Pagliacci? Or ‘my men’?”

Sawbuck didn’t move.

“I thought as much.” I faced Tony. “And even if I were to return to the Spadros Pot I wouldn’t be safe. I need means to hire bodyguards until I can purchase a zeppelin ticket.”

Tony leaned forward, head bowed, his elbows on his knees. He sat motionless for several seconds. Then he raised his head. “I shall create a will —”

I stared at him in shock.

“Sir,” Sawbuck said, “this is most unwise —”

“Shut up, Ten. This is my house, not yours. My money, to do with as I wish. Do you understand?”

Sawbuck’s face reddened and his jaw tightened, but after staring at Tony for several seconds, he glanced away.

“I shall direct my lawyers to create a will which gives you everything on my death. Then you can keep our home and select guards of your choosing. My life means nothing if you aren’t cared for, whether or not you’re able to give me a child.” Tony shook his head. “I should’ve considered this, especially after Master Diamond’s outburst at the Ball.” He leaned back. “This explains your nightmares. Why did you never tell me?”

I smiled. He had never revealed his nightmares either. “It’s of no consequence.” Why was he creating this will? Surely he didn’t trust me. Was this a test?

Tony sat up. “Ten, ring for some tea. When the maid leaves, stand guard. I want no one overhearing.”

Sawbuck rose, not looking at either of us, then stood by the door. I considered the stair at the other end of the parlor and who might be listening already, but it was much too late for that.

Tony said, “Tell me everything. From the beginning.”

The door opened. Sawbuck took the tray from the maid, set it between us, then left, closing the door with a sharp click.

I patted the sofa. “Sit by me.”

In whispers, I related my desire to be of use, to find freedom from my stifling life under Roy’s thumb. I told him I had allies, and disguises, and contacts in various places. I never mentioned names; Tony never asked.

“So you see, Madame Biltcliffe and Tenni helped me. For their assistance, I pay her.”

“You mean, I pay her.”

I felt abashed. “Well, yes. But I meant no harm. She put herself and ...” I almost said “her maid” but I didn’t wish to contradict Madame, “Tenni in danger to help me.”

“The girl does look like you from afar. I see how the men were fooled.” Tony squeezed my hand. “Go on.”

“I never did anything more dangerous than following men suspected of infidelity —” the image of Vig beating the man who tried to violate me when I was sixteen flashed through my mind, but it wouldn’t do to tell Tony about that, “until New Years’ Eve.”

I described my meeting with Eleanora Bryce, whose twelve-year-old son David had to be the child Tony’s kidnapped men spoke of. I told him about the Red Dog card Amelia found in my pocket after the Grand Ball, and my horror at seeing one on our front stair, which I felt sure was put there by Jack Diamond.

Tony stared at me. “Several shopkeepers have complained of being harassed by a man fitting his description.”

I told Tony about Stephen and Clover of the true Red Dogs, and how appalled they were at the kidnapping. Both Stephen and Herbert Bryce, David’s older brother, were later found strangled.

“I’ve heard rumor of a strangler loose in the city,” Tony said, “but I had no idea those boys were connected to our troubles.”

I then had a dilemma: what to tell him about Morton? I mentioned a man who claimed to be a Red Dog trey leader, but only as Morton, leaving out his true name.

But Tony said, “And then Master Rainbow appeared, who you knew as Morton.”

I recoiled, horrified. “How did you know?”

Tony chuckled. “Pearson mentioned your cry of surprise at seeing Master Rainbow, calling him Morton, and I wondered where you might have met before.”

Fear gripped me. What would happen to him?

Tony patted my hand. “I mean Master Rainbow no harm. He saved your life at the zeppelin station, did he not?”

I nodded, heart pounding.

“Go on,” Tony said. “I want to know everything. No one will harm you or your friends.”

So I told Tony I tracked David to Jack Diamond’s factory. Morton took me to the factory on his yacht to rescue David Bryce, yet afterwards David did nothing but rock and suck his thumb.

“I shot Frank Pagliacci that day. But I learned from Dame Anastasia later that he was still alive.”

“You shot him?” Tony stared at me, mouth open. “And Dame Anastasia knew him?”

I nodded. “He was her lover, and part of her plot to defraud the city. He and Jack Diamond killed her, Tony. The zeppelin explosion was their means of assassination. Jack and Frank mean us personal harm, but I can’t prove it. In Jack’s factory, Frank said he planned to destroy the Spadros Family, one by one.”

Tony paused, hand to his chin. “This explains many things: Master Rainbow’s injuries, for example. Again, taken defending you and your friend’s young boy.” He smiled. “I can’t help but feel indebted to him, even if he did deceive me. If you ever do need guards, he would be one to enlist.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

He took my hand. “You are the bravest woman I’ve ever met. To enter Diamond quadrant, rescue this boy ... and actually shooting a man. Who taught you —?”

I shot many more than one that day. But what should I say? Roy threatened to kill my Ma if I revealed to Tony that he had been training me. Did Roy know Ma was still alive? “One of the men dropped his gun when Master Rainbow shot him.” I shrugged, looking away. “It seemed easy enough.”

Tony snorted. “I wish I had any talent for it.” He shifted in his chair. “What I’m trying to say is ... I feel tremendous pride in you, risking yourself to save this child as you did.” He turned to me, placing his hand atop mine. “But this business must stop. You’ve done a great service, and gained valuable information, but you’re much too precious to be placed in peril.”

“But, Tony —”

“Frank Pagliacci plans to destroy us one by one. He’s lured you from your home once already. One day he’ll capture you, or worse yet, Jack Diamond will, and I can’t even think of that.” He ducked his head, trying to capture my gaze. “Will you promise me you’ll stop this nonsense? Please?”

Did I have a choice? I couldn’t look at him. “Yes, sir.”

“Ah, now, none of that. Look at me. I don’t mean to order you. I’m not my father. I — I want you to be safe. That’s all.”

I nodded. My bird was very safe. Yet it would never fly.

* * *

The doorbell rang. After a few moments, Sawbuck opened the door. “The Memory Boy Werner Lead, sir.”

Memory Boys remembered exactly what was said, and delivered messages so secret they mustn’t be written.

Tony leapt from the sofa. “Splendid! I’ll be there at once.” He said to me, “I’ll be right back.”

Sawbuck closed the door, remaining inside.

I hurried to Sawbuck. “I didn’t mention anything from the night you found Marja. I’d appreciate your silence a while longer.”

He regarded me warily. “You play a dangerous game, Mrs. Spadros. Trust, once lost, is often gone forever, and hatred soon follows.” He glanced aside, then spoke earnestly. “I don’t want him hurt. You understand?”

“That’s the farthest thing from my mind. But I must learn who killed her.” I grabbed his arm. “I must. She was a mother to me. I can’t stand aside when I believe this all is connected. But I can’t do that with Mr. Spadros hovering.”

Sawbuck’s face softened. “Pot rags must stick together, eh?”

I had forgotten: he was Molly’s sister’s son, undoubtedly born in the Pot, just as she and I were. “Yes.” Yet I felt disturbed somehow. “One day we must sit, Master Hogan, and have a chat.”

He bowed and turned to go; I returned to my seat.

Just in time: Tony stormed into the room. “The unmitigated gall! The effrontery! How dare the man address me in that manner! And to a Memory Boy!” Tony threw his hands in the air and stalked to the fireplace.

This sudden anger surprised me. “Whatever has happened?”

Tony paced, gesturing as he spoke. “Cesare Diamond, that’s what’s happened. The scoundrel! I ask a simple question, and he proceeds to cast insult. He even insulted you! I should call him out ... yes, I shall challenge him!”

“That would be unwise, sir.” Sawbuck’s voice startled me. “Mr. Cesare is quite skilled with weapons, or so I’m told.”

Where Tony was not.

I began to laugh, remembering my encounter with Cesare Diamond on the rooftop at Market Center as we lay in wait for Gardena’s blackmailer. “The man is dreadfully rude. Yet he always spoke truth. What did he say?”

Tony turned crimson, his manner instantly cooling. “That’s not important. But —” he took a few steps, then faced me, “it confirms you were with him on Market Center. I suppose I should be grateful for that.”

Tony actually considered calling out Cesare Diamond. After telling me at the Queen’s Day dinner that we were only at cease-fire with the Diamonds and “nowhere near” ready for war.

To challenge the Diamond heir in the midst of a cease-fire?

Tony was out of control.

Pearson came in. “Dinner, sir.” He surveyed us. Normally, we dressed for dinner at seven; we certainly were not dressed for it now. “Should I tell Monsieur dinner will be delayed?”

“No,” Tony said. “We’ll have dinner now.” He grabbed my upper arm. “None of our guests have had time to prepare either.”

The way he said it made me suddenly afraid.

* * *

Tony hauled me to our dining room. Tenni and Madame sat glumly across from each other halfway down the long table.

“Please sit,” Tony said.

So I sat at the foot of the table, rubbing my arm. Tony took his seat at the head of the table. Sawbuck sat beside Tony, to his right. Morton sat across from Sawbuck, at Tony’s left.

A guest sat mid-table. Had Morton risen in Tony’s favor?

Sawbuck took Morton’s placement as a matter of course. The servants set the soup dishes and retreated.

Madame shook her head slightly when Tenni caught her eye, then nodded once Tony began to eat.

Tenni shoveled soup into her mouth as if famished.

I sipped a spoonful. “Tenni, will your family worry for you?”

Tenni shrugged. “I’m usually home by now. My sister should be there with the little ones.”

“I’ll have my butler send your sister a message,” Tony said.

Tenni started, giving him a frightened glance. “Thank you, sir.” She finished her soup, used her bread to wipe the bowl clean as she ate it, then said, “That was very good.” She smiled, relaxing, as if she believed dinner to be over. “It’s so quiet here.”

Several minutes passed as the rest of us ate in silence.

The servants cleared the soup dishes and placed our main course. Tenni’s eyes widened as she stared at her plate. Then she ate as quickly as before, slipping her roll and meat into her pocket.

When I first came here, I did the same, in case they took it away. And I always hid food to bring home to Ma.

Morton said, “Is it noisy where you live, then?”

She nodded. “The factories run all night, men coming and going, whistles and bells.” She gulped her milk.

I asked Tenni, “What happened to your parents?”

“I never knew my father well, mum; haven’t seen him since my little sister was born. My mother got shot at the grocery a few years ago. It was in the paper.”

I nodded. “I’m sorry.”

Tenni shrugged. “We never saw her home much, mum. I just started work for Madame. She took me on full time.”

Tony froze, staring at Tenni with his emotionless mask on.

Morton said, “How many are at your house?”

“Me and my five sisters, sir. I’m the oldest. The youngest is seven; we make enough to keep her at home.” Tenni spoke with pride. “We get off at different times and check on her. She braids twine for the newspaper — five cents every 100 yard roll. Madame showed me how to make gloves for her so the twine doesn’t cut her fingers. And I’m teaching her to read. Madame taught me.”

“You’re a good sister,” Morton said.

Tenni blushed. “Thank you, sir.”

Tony said, “Mrs. Spadros, may we speak privately?”

“Of course.” We went to his study. “How may I help?”

Tony shook his head. “I had no idea this girl was a servant.”

“You’re upset because you had dinner with a servant?”

“I had a servant at table with a gentleman! What must he think of us? What must the servants think?”

“That you’re kind to children? What else would they think?”

“Favoritism amongst servants only causes trouble,” Tony said. “I’ll explain it to the staff tomorrow. But the maid must go.”

Instantly, Tenni had lost all humanity. “Yes, sir.”

“Take the dress off her and have it burned.”

“Burned? But it’s your favorite dress! It’s my favorite dress!”

“A ...” he seemed disgusted, “... servant has worn it, Jacqui, and a shop maid at that. Why would you want to wear it again?”

“May I give it to her? The girl has so little.”

“No. Jane will find something suitable for her to wear home.”

“You think this poorly of a servant? What of me?”

“What do I think of you? You’re my wife.” Tony grabbed my arm. “If I see your clothing on her again, I’ll have her whipped.”

Stunned and angry, I returned to the table. Tenni had cleared her plate and was on her second glass of milk. Morton put down his napkin. “Is Mr. Spadros well?”

“Yes. Tenni, let’s get you changed. You can go home now.”

While changing, Tenni said, “You and Master Rainbow aren’t like the others.”

I smiled to myself. “I suppose not.”

When Tenni and I returned to the dining hall, Madame stood waiting. “Thank you for your hospitality,” Madame said to Tony. “Today’s been most informative.” She took Tenni’s hand and left.

I sat. Sawbuck and Morton seemed disturbed. “What is it?”

Tony looked up. “What is what?”

“Something’s happened.”

“Yes,” Tony said. “Something has. I gave Madame Biltcliffe a choice. You’ll be retaining a new dressmaker from now on.”

I stared at him, outraged. “Did you threaten her?”

“I gave her two options. She chose to withdraw her services.”

What was the other choice? “So you’ve chosen this woman?”

He shrugged. “I’m sure my mother knows someone suitable.”

“But Madame’s in the midst of work on my Summer dress! You can’t cancel an order she’s already begun!”

“I’ll allow you to visit, Jacqui, but only to finish the dress. You’re not to go anywhere else. Do you understand? You’re not to venture out without escort.”

“I’ve done nothing wrong, yet I’m imprisoned!”

Tony laughed. “Nonsense. You’re free to go anywhere in the city you like, so long as you stay with your guards.”

I drained my glass of wine. “Please excuse me.”

Morton glanced at me, but I ignored him. If Tony realized he — or Sawbuck — hid my adventures, they too could be in danger.