Page 53 of A Lady’s Guide to Subterfuge and Science

“What’s the prize?” Jennings demanded.

Comerford paused for dramatic effect, and Oliver almost nodded off. “Publication in the Society journal.”

The room began to buzz in interest. Oliver’s eyes met Kalila’s, round and wide and full of unrestrained hope. He couldn’t help but smile, and she couldn’t seem to help returning it.

“And partners?” Young asked.

If Oliver could make one request of Comerford, it would be to—

“Right, of course.” Comerford began to read off a piece of paper. “Young, you’ll be working with Talbot.”

—pair him up with Kalila so that he might—

“Dunn, you’ll work with Jennings.”

Oliver’s train of thought was interrupted, and he turned to his friend. “Sorry.”

“I can handle him,” Dunn said, though the mild distress about him said otherwise. He grinned at Oliver. “It looks like you got Rafiq.”

It did look like that, and the realization forced Oliver wide, wide awake. He’d finally, finally been graced with the tiny ounce of luck he’d been wishing for.

“That leaves Rafiq with Booth,” Comerford said, making it all the more real. “No more lectures after this one, gentlemen. Use your time wisely.”

With those words, the room exploded with energy. Young and Talbot had their heads together, whispering away, while Dunn took slow, measured steps toward Jennings, sighing with each one.

Kalila appeared in front of Oliver before he had the chance go to to her. She glowed with excitement. “I have some ideas,” she said.

He responded with a wry, “Of course you do.”

“If you have time, we can get to work right away.”

As if he’d ever turn her down. He’d defy the very concept of time to create as many hours in the day as she needed from him.

“Shall we find somewhere quiet?” he asked, heart beating wildly in his chest. If this time alone didn’t make her trust him, then—

“Why don’t we go to your laboratory?” she suggested.

Oliver frowned. Why in God’s name would she want to return to Rosewood? He’d thoroughly convinced himself that she’d choose to keep her distance—from Rosewood, from his father, and, by extension, from him. And yet here she was, awaiting his response with an eager look on her lovely face.

“We can,” he said eventually, voice a little hoarse. “Of course we can.”

He watched as she went to gather her things, saying her farewells to the friends she’d made in 107. Soon, she was by his side once more, vibrating with excitement.

“I think we can win this,” she chirped as soon as they were making their way down the pavement. “Don’t you?”

Oliver wasn’t the competitive sort, but he was sure she could inspire the trait in him. She chattered all the way to Rosewood, discussing everything from sectioning and mounting to the kind of paper they ought to use for their diagram.

The house was blissfully quiet. Hughes greeted them at the door, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise at the sight of Kalila.

“I did not think we would see you here again, Mr. Rafiq,” he said, “if you don’t mind my saying.”

“On the contrary,” she replied, allowing him to take her coat, “it would be foolish of me not to take advantage of a private laboratory while I am in London.”

“Indeed,” Hughes agreed. “And I am sure Mr. Booth’s presence only adds to it.”

Oliver cleared his throat.

“That is—” Hughes stammered. He turned to Oliver. “Your father has gone to Kent.”