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him. He swung his feet to the floor and sat up. “I have a sneaking suspicion they might be the same person.”
    His friend nodded, unperturbed as usual by Graham’s abrupt leap in conversation. “Miss Hughes and the mysterious woman in blue, eh?”
    â€œShe called herself Mary Houser.”
    â€œMoira Hughes, Mary Houser.” Shaun shook his head. “Quite the amateur, isn’t she?”
    Moira. Like Maura, but not quite. No, one must achieve a quick realignment of the mouth to make it come out right. A pursing of the lips and a slight flick of the tongue, clever little motions that pleased him. Rather like a kiss. Moira, Moira. “What do you suppose she might be hiding?”
    A knock at the door prevented Shaun from answering.
    â€œCome.”
    Baxter bowed his way into the room. A dismal expression dragged at his otherwise stoic features. “I’ve brought the requested items, sir.”
    â€œGood. Bring them here.”
    The valet stepped gingerly across the carpet as if afraid of disturbing someone, then reached into his coat pocket to extract a cloth bag cinched tight with a drawstring. Graham reached for the sack and held it to his ear.
    â€œAre they alive? I don’t hear them buzzing.”
    â€œQuite alive, my lord.” Baxter’s lip curled. “Sleeping, perhaps.”
    Graham nodded. “Thank you, Baxter. That will be all.” But just before the servant closed the door behind him, Graham called, “Oh, Baxter, have you seen my brother yet this morning?”
    â€œNo, sir. I don’t believe Mr. Frederick returned home last evening.”
    â€œLet me know the moment he does.”
    â€œVery good, sir.”
    â€œBrothers, sisters, cousins…ah, Shaun, life was so much simpler in Egypt,” Graham grumbled as the door closed behind his valet.
    â€œYou didn’t think so when Hakim al Faruq threatened to slit your throat.”
    â€œThe man was making a point.”
    â€œYes, against your jugular.”
    â€œIt turned out well, didn’t it? I miss the old boy. By God, I miss that life.”
    â€œWe’ll return soon enough, and when we do, we’ll have virtually unlimited funds.” The armchair creaked as Shaun leaned forward. “We won’t have to search out the graves of goldsmiths and minor nobles any longer. We can head right for the important sites and get on with the work we set out to do.”
    â€œHow right you are.” Graham glanced down at the sack cupped in his palm. His mood brightened considerably. “Isis is sure to be hungry by now, but perhaps I should wait and allow Freddy the honor when he arrives home. Or perhaps you’d prefer to do it.”
    Shaun flicked the fingers of both hands as if to dislodge something sticky and unpleasant. “Unless you wish to create a panic, you’d best do it. I’ll lock the door, just in case.”

    â€œWhy, Miss Moira, what a surprise. A
wonderful
surprise, my dear. But why are you sneaking in through the garden?”
    Stout hands encased Moira’s shoulders as Mrs. Higgensworth drew her into the kitchen.
    Moira indeed felt like a sneak. Having concealed herself in the laundry yard until dusk, she’d approached the house and peeked in through the kitchen windows, ducking whenever one of the servants passed by. It had taken a colossal effort of patience to wait until she finally glimpsed the housekeeper alone before tapping on the garden door. She drew a breath now to begin her explanation but Mrs. Higgensworth spoke first.
    â€œYou poor lamb, abroad this time of evening and all alone. Why I’ve never heard of the like…” Cradling Moira’s hand in both her warm, ample ones, the older woman brought her into the servants’ dining hall. “Have you had your tea? You sit yourself down while I ring for Susan to bring some.”
    Emitting little puffs of breath, the housekeeper waddled to the bell pull.