Page 124 of A Deal with the Devil

It had only been six days, she reminded herself.

“He shouldn’t be here, though. I’m sure he’s needed at the Sins. Especially tonight.”

“That place.” Miss Peridot sniffed. Paused. “Do you think you can get me an invitation?”

Kitty could not help but smile. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good, good. Now show me a new book. I’m bored. Not all of us have been getting into shenanigans like you.”

“Miss Peridot,” Evie said, “have you read the one about the duke who turns into a wolf?”

Miss Peridot perked up. “I have not. Would you care for an onion, young lady? It strengthens the blood.”

“I’ve already had one today.”

“No, she hasn’t.” Kitty grinned.

“Yes, I have. I ate yours, remember? Kitty has had a very trying time. She should eat this one, don’t you think?”

“Must go!” Kitty said hurriedly, grabbing for her reticule. “Can’t get any stains on this dress!”

Nothing like the threat of having to eat a raw onion like an apple to put the starch back in one’s spine.

She had not walked half a block before the brothers Winchester pulled the carriage to the curb. “Where to, Miss Caldecott?”

She blinked at them. “Surely you can call me Kitty.”

“Not if I want to keep my fingers,” Samuel said cheerfully. “Where can we take you?”

“I’m happy to walk.”

“I really do like my fingers,” Michael said from the outrider post. His black hair was wind ruffled, his smile wolfish.

“Did Devil send you?”

“Of course.”

“How did he know?” she asked. “I didn’t know until just now that I was going out.”

“We’ve been here all week,” he shrugged. “Just in case.”

“An old lady threw an onion at us yesterday,” Samuel added. “She thought we were spying on you.”

Kitty laughed. “Miss Peridot is not to be trifled with.”

“It’s about to rain,” Samuel pointed out. “Please let us drive you. Anywhere you want to go.”

“What if I said Inverness?”

“Then we’d go to Inverness.”

“Absurd.” She smiled at them, then shook her head. “To the Sins will be fine, thank you.”

“Thank God,” Samuel muttered. “He’s been in a rotten mood. Calm as anything all across the bloody Continent. Didn’t flinch at bullets passing by his head. But this… You may be our only hope, Miss Caldecott.”

The Seven Deadly Sins of London burned through the night.

Ladies in diaphanous red gowns sewn all over with spangles stood on marble pedestals in the garden. When they changed their positions, it was an acrobatic feat that drew gasps and murmurs from passersby and the guests waiting to enter. Crowds gathered on the pavement, begging for entry to the opening night. Indecent amounts of money were offered for the privilege. Kitty did not recognize the man stationed at the door, but he bowed to her as he stepped aside. “Miss Caldecott.”