Page 70 of The Girl Out of Time
Emmeline flicked through it. “Interesting spelling of ‘hide’—do you think she means it as inDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—”
“Who?”
Oh—that book didn’t exist yet. “Never mind, it could also be … hold on.” She twisted on the chair, leaning her elbow on the table. “You already solved the whole thing, didn’t you?”
He gave the slightest shrug. “I did have almost two days of free time on the way back. But I won’t tell you the answer if you don’t want to. Lady Scarlet is your mission. And this is yours.” He tapped on the paper.
“But we said …”
“Emmeline.” He lowered his hands into his lap. “I believe it’s time for me to leave.”
She felt as if she’d been hit in the stomach by one of the cricket bats. “What?”
“There is very little sense in me staying. I appreciate what you did for me—offer me cover because of the position I was in—but your own position is changing soon. You’ll have a husband, your own household, your own servants to direct. You won’t need a false one. Besides, the rumors and paranoia about the possible French spy have died down in the last few weeks. I think I’m safe to leave.”
“But …” She shook her head. “Where will you go?”
“I’m not that helpless,” he said, with only a slight grimace. “I have something I can do in London.”
“Theo …”
He stood. “The duchess has been made aware, though technically, you’re the one to dismiss me.”
He meant it. He was actually, truly leaving.
She didn’t know what she’d expected. Like he said, it made all the sense. But she hadn’t imagined it would hit her this hard.
“Miss Grey?” he prompted.
“You …” She closed her eyes. “You’re dismissed.”
“Thank you. The best of luck with your husband, and your hunt for Lady Scarlet. If you’d like one hint …”
She nodded.
“I think she wants to meet you in London.” And he left.
***
Theo fed Nero a sugar cube and gently ran his hand along the horse’s head. As he moved away, Nero whinnied.
“Oh, come now.” Theo patted his cheek. “You were fine before I got here; you’ll be fine after I leave.”
Nero huffed.
“Make sure he’s good to her, yes?”
Someone cleared their throat; Theo moved away from the horse. His heart did a somersault and then sank, remembering reality, when he noticed Emmeline standing at the stables’ gate. The early morning sun shone from behind her, its rays lending a golden halo to her dark hair.
He couldn’t get out of here sooner—and at the same time, he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
“Do you have a few minutes?” she asked. “Well, an hour, more likely, given my capabilities, but—do you?”
He blinked. “What?”
“Come with me.”
He couldn’t say no to that smile, so he followed her. She led him to a glade a shot away from the house—a currently deserted picnic area.
