Lara Temple - Lord Crayle's Secret World

The significance of what he was saying, of what she was being offered, hit Sari with almost physical force. She hadn’t even known such things existed. Compared to the possibility of being part of such an organisation, her wish to become a governess seemed hopelessly tepid. She had no idea yet what might be required of her, but she wanted to be part of this with an instinctive passion. She had always wanted to do something significant, meaningful, but it had never seemed a feasible possibility. And now, in a mere few sentences, a whole world had opened up before her and she knew her life was never going to be the same. She stared at the sweet, soft-spoken man offering her salvation and bit her lip against the surge of unaccustomed joy that was thrusting up from inside her like a butterfly struggling against its chrysalis.

‘Now, why don’t you tell me something about yourself? A bit of family history and how you ended up robbing people on the Heath?’ Anderson continued. There was no condemnation in his tone, and Sari, still caught up in wonder at the gift that had descended on her, was surprised by her willingness to answer his question.

‘There is not much to tell. My father was an orientalist and we grew up travelling between antiquity sites in the Levant. We were supported mostly by another orientalist, Emilio Cavalcatti, a Sicilian who used to be a successful mercenary. Emilio and my mother both died during a typhoid epidemic when I was sixteen and my father, my brother and I returned to England. My father took in translations for a while. He...died three years ago. By then there wasn’t much left. We sold what we could, and George worked, but it wasn’t enough for us all.’ She dropped her gaze as shame dimmed her excitement.

‘It might seem strange that I...that I allowed George to support us, but he and Mina have always been family. He was part of a robber gang when he was a boy and it was thanks to my parents that he escaped that life and met Mina. He and Mina insisted Charlie remain in school, no matter what it cost us. And I did try to find employment, but I was unsuccessful. But matters... Anyway, we were about to sell a few of our last belongings, including the pistols Cavalcatti had given us, when I told George we could make more money using them than selling them. After all, he already knew what to do... I know it sounds mad and immoral, but we were desperate. It actually made sense at the time. That is all.’

She ended her story and glanced up. Anderson’s kind blue eyes were full of compassion, and she ducked her head again for a moment, feeling suddenly weary and close to tears. Anderson extended a hand as if to comfort her but withdrew it as Lord Crayle moved closer to the desk.

‘What skills do you have?’ he asked abruptly, and she drew herself up.

‘Skills? I... Well, I can’t embroider or play an instrument if that is what you mean.’

Michael laughed. ‘Drawing-room accomplishments aren’t quite what we are looking for here. I meant anything that might be useful. I already know you are a decent shot. Anything else?’

‘I believe I am more than a decent shot, my lord,’ she stated with some hauteur, and his smile deepened for a moment. ‘Aside from that, I am very good with languages and I can fence...decently.

‘I can pick locks, too. I suppose that may be useful?’

‘Very useful indeed,’ Anderson replied faintly.

‘Where precisely did you learn those skills?’ Michael asked levelly.

Sari wished he would move away from the window so she could make out his expression. He was hard enough to read as it was, but standing there like a shadow only made him more intimidating. She was used to reading people, but she had no idea what he was thinking.

‘Mostly from George and Signor Cavalcatti. Cavalcatti taught us all how to fence and how to pick locks. He had a Smith-Caldwell safe he would travel with and we practised with that. It was a bit smaller than yours, Mr Anderson,’ she added with another mischievous smile.

Anderson sat back in surprise.

‘How did you know...?’ He glanced from her to the bookcase that hid his safe.

‘You didn’t secure the bookcase fully. I can see the gap reflected in the window behind you. Cavalcatti had a safe with just that distinctive grooved dial with the silver rim.’

* * *

Michael considered Anderson’s clearly admiring gaze. Given his initial reluctance, he had fully expected to have to ease his friend’s way through this interview, but he had clearly underestimated her. He wondered if her behaviour was calculated. If it was, it was brilliant—that mixture of forlorn waif and mischievous young woman was very effective in exciting Anderson’s protective instincts. Calculated or not, objectively she suited the Institute’s needs. But her disclosures were highlighting some serious problems as well. Despite her rather peculiar upbringing and unconventional skills, she was clearly less experienced than her performance on the Heath had seemed to indicate. Her obvious intelligence might also be as much a drawback as a benefit. But it was more than that. Something less tangible was bothering him. There was something too intense, too driven about her.

Out of nowhere he remembered a children’s book he used to read to his brother and sisters. It had been about the adventures of a young page, Cedric the Small, an unlikely little hero whose determination to save his family from the evil Knight Mercur led him both into and out of trouble. It was a classic story about brain over brawn, but it had been Cedric’s mix of warmth, vulnerability and mischief that had made him so appealing. Miss Trevor was like a female version of Cedric. And Cedric got into trouble as often as he managed to get out of it.

‘So you think you can open the safe?’ Michael asked curtly, forcing himself back into the moment.

‘Yes. I would need a glass, preferably crystal. Would you like me to try?’

He smiled slightly at her defiant confidence. And at the fact that he believed her. He doubted she would promise what she didn’t feel she could deliver.

‘Not at the moment. Deakins for one will be delighted to meet you.’

‘Who is Deakins?’

‘He’s one of the instructors here. He specialises in all sorts of less-than-legal skills. In fact, I think the two of you will deal admirably.’

Anderson shot him a quelling glance, but Michael ignored him.

‘Perhaps we should tell you what you will be doing over the next few months. Before you become an operative agent, you will undergo a schedule of training, including a physical regimen, politics and a variety of other topics. If you complete your training to our satisfaction, you will join the others on whatever mission is assigned. Are you still interested?’

Sari nodded, trying and failing to keep her mouth prim. She didn’t even trust herself to speak yet, she was so excited.

‘Good. Anderson will take you around to meet the instructors. And I believe I mentioned that you should find accommodation not too far from the Institute,’ Michael added practically. ‘Penrose can help.’

‘Thank you, I will keep that in mind, Lord Crayle, but George knows London quite well.’

‘Will you come with us?’ Anderson asked him as they stood up.

‘No, I have some matters to attend to. I just received the latest reports from Denby and I want to review them. Come by when you’re done, Anderson. Enjoy your tour, Miss Trevor.’

She nodded hesitantly as he walked out. She was almost relieved he wasn’t coming with them. It was hard to be natural under the scrutiny of his cold grey eyes. Or rather, it was hard to be unnatural. She wanted so much to present herself as competent and worthy, but somehow she felt too...exposed when he was watching her. It would be easier to concentrate with just Anderson there.