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“And it is to remain thus for the entire duration of your stay. Regarding your friends, if you tell me in advance, I shall arrange for an unmarked carriage to bring them here.”

She grumbled something under her breath that sounded like, “I don’t even have that many friends, why do I argue?”

“Pardon me?” he asked, to be sure he hadn’t misheard.

“It doesn’t matter.” She waved a dismissive hand. “I don’t need a list. It’s just five people: Annalise, Olivia, Helen, Lavinia, and Caroline. Every Thursday, we have a nuncheon at one of our houses, and I would like to host it at least once. That’s it.”

He scratched his jaw in thought. “All those people are fine, except for Caroline.”

She blinked up at him. “Why not Caroline?”

“She is a shadow. A spy. Surely you know this. Even with blinded windows, by turns and sounds outside the carriage, she will recognize where we are.”

“You are being ridiculous.” She let out a laugh.

“I am being safe.”

“Even if she does figure out where we are, what does it matter? What do you think she’ll do with that information?”

He gave her a blank stare. “It’s better we don’t find out.”

She swallowed and nodded. “Fine. I am still allowed to call upon her at her residence, right? Without your presence?”

He nodded. “Right.”

She seemed satisfied with her inquiry, yet still watched him carefully.

“Anything else you’d like to discuss?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Very well.” He turned toward the door, and that’s when she spoke again.

“You’re still leaving?”

William threw her a quick glance and a smile. “As tantalizing as our conversation was, I am afraid I still have business to attend to.”

He opened the door and left the tower. Before the door closed on her, William heard one last question. “What business?”

Chapter 9

William saddled his horse and urged it into a gallop, the countryside racing past in a blur. He needed to clear his head, and the stinging wind whipping his face never failed to sharpen his mind.

Lost deep in thought, he reached his destination quickly. He tied the horse in a copse of trees and swiftly approached the familiar ramshackle building, raising his cloak collar and lowering his hat. This area wasn’t safe for a man of his reputation.

With practiced ease, he cracked open a grime-encrusted window and climbed inside, landing softly on the creaking floorboards. This wasn’t his first time breaking into this place. With luck, it would be the last.

William made his way toward the rickety stairs. He tiptoed silently until one of the wooden steps creaked loudly. Ah, devil take it! William cursed under his breath.

It was too late for stealth now. He rushed the remaining steps, wanting to meet his opponent on even ground.

Just as he reached the first floor, a silhouette lunged from the shadows wielding a dagger. William ducked and rolled, then sprang to his feet with hands raised. “I’m not here to fight!”

The figure paused, blade glinting. Then he jerked his chin at a candle sconce on the wall. “Light it.”

William moved slowly to light the candle, illuminating the dingy room and the man’s harsh features.

Ford Gunning, the prominent thief-taker, narrowed his eyes. “How interesting. A thief breaks into the thief-taker’s house. If you wanted to get arrested, all you had to do was ask.”