Page 5 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

“She’s your daughter too,” was her mother’s serene response.

A familiar warmth bloomed in Kalila’s chest. If there was one thing she had never doubted, it was the love her parents held for her. Her mother had told her more than once how much of a struggle it had been to conceive—and how grateful they were to have her. It was evident even in her name, the Arabic word for beloved.

“You can still change your mind about France, you know.” Khalid waggled his eyebrows at both Kalila and Dameer. “What say you?”

Kalila shook her head. “I shouldn’t. I have much to look into this summer.”

“And Dameer cannot be parted from his precious Kalila,” Khalid said, taking on a theatrical seriousness. “Understandable.”

“I can be parted from her,” Dameer protested. “I just—I don’t think she should be left alone.”

“Very noble of you,” Khalid said. “Where do you get that trait from, I wonder? Certainly not from your father—and you can tell him I said so.”

Jwan tut-tutted, though Kalila spotted her grinning behind her teacup.

Khalid slapped the table, making Dameer jump. “Right! We should be off to pick the others up. Do I need to ask the two of you to behave? Or is Dameer enough of a wet blanket to ensure that you do?”

“Baba!” Kalila exclaimed, choking on a laugh. “Be nice.”

Khalid came around to where she sat and planted a kiss on her head. “When have you ever seen me be anything but?”

A half hour later, Kalila and Dameer stood at the steps to Heatherden, waving at Khalid and Jwan as their carriage rolled down the cobblestone path that would take them to Northborough. Once her parents had disappeared from view, Kalila went to the parlor with Dameer at her heels. They sat in a pair of armchairs, the room silent. Kalila picked up the copper ewer that sat on the table between them, examining the engraved surface. It showed a mythical shape-shifter known throughout the Mesopotamian marshlands as the Tantal, a creature with sharp teeth and an alarmingly large body. The pitcher showed it in its natural state and then in the form of a rich man, apparently trying to trick a mortal into insulting it so it might mete out some sort of punishment.

If only Kalila had the power to transform. Unlike the Tantal, she wouldn’t abuse the privilege. No, she would use it to stop having to rely on Dameer’s kindness. She would achieve all she wanted without having to think twice about it.

You could, a voice in her head whispered.

Could she? She stared at the Tantal a while longer, an idea beginning to sprout in her mind.

Dameer wouldn’t go to London, but she could. Not as herself, but as someone entirely different.

The thought sent an explosive spark of delight through her. This was exactly the answer to her problem. She could go, learn all she wanted, suggest that women be allowed to participate.

It was perfect.

“What do you think about London?” Kalila blurted out, voice hitching in her throat. She knew it would be impossible to leave Dameer behind, which meant the most logical thing would be for her to convince him to take a little trip with her.

She’d leave the details out for now, of course.

“In general?” Dameer asked, confused. “Rather noisy, but—”

“Not in general,” Kalila interrupted. “What do you think about going to London?”

“When?”

“Today!” she said, the word coming out on a squeak. She could do this. She would do this.

Dameer frowned at her, and Kalila wondered if she could mirror the expression. “What would we do in London?”

She knew what she would do. How Dameer would spend his time, she had no idea.

Thinking quickly, Kalila finally settled on a reason that would spur Dameer into action. “We could visit the Southcotts.”

He turned a rosy shade of pink at the mention of their family friends, shifting his gaze away in an attempt to appear nonchalant. “Why would we do that? We’ll see them this winter when they come to Gloucestershire.”

Kalila leaned over to push at his arm. “Come off it. I know you’re in love with Amelia.”

“I am not,” Dameer said vehemently. “Why do you want to go to London?”