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Ironheart took the missive, opening the letter. Max noted that it bore the queen’s seal. Ironheart’s frown didn’t help matters.

“What does it say?”

Ironheart handed him the parchment. “We’re being summoned by the Queen. She wants more details, and she’d like them now.”

Max cursed under his breath but there was nothing to do but comply. It was in everyone's best interest that he heed the queen and that Whitehouse be brought to justice. He hated to leave Sophie now. They were finally free of danger and were ready to start their future.

He kissed her lips. “I won’t be gone long.”

She nodded, nipping at her lip.

“When I get back, we can begin our celebration.”

“I’ve an idea,” Tabbie raised a finger. “I have a few days before my father and I leave for Dover. Perhaps Abigail can come and spend a few days with me. Give the two of you a bit of time for yourselves.”

“You needn’t do that,” Sophie held up her hands. “The staff and Ironheart?—”

Tabbie was reaching for Abigail. “We could have a tea party, and build forts to sleep in, and pick flowers from the garden, and?—”

“Yay!” Abigail danced again. “This is the best day!”

Sophie smiled at her sister. “All right, then.”

“I won’t be gone long,” Max said.

Sophie’s worried eyes met his. “All right.”

After a final kiss, Max followed Ironheart out the door. They climbed into the waiting carriage, settling into opposite seats.

“I know the queen well. When we get there, allow me to do the talking.”

Max’s brows lifted. “Not a problem.”

Ironheart grinned. “Right. I forgot. You’ve gotten so chatty.”

Max laughed, knowing he was still far from chatty. “We’re leaving as soon as we’re able. We’re returning to her village.”

Ironheart nodded. “You’ll be happier away from London.”

“You’ll be all right here? Without me? Without the club?”

“I’ll muddle through. I’ve got the Devil and the Defender. They’ll do in a pinch, but our numbers are down.”

Max nodded. “My brother, about to be a duke, would like to join. You can invite him for vetting if you’d like. If nothing else, I know his accounting skills are excellent.”

Ironheart winced. “If you could keep my lack of skill to yourself…”

“We both know that discretion is my specialty.”

“Thank you.” Ironheart jerked his chin upward. “Now, let’s do this as efficiently as possible, given that it is a meeting with the queen. She does like to keep men waiting.”

Max hoped that wasn’t what happened this time. He was intensely eager to return to his bride.

Sophie carefully removed her gown, wanting to return it to Tabbie without blemish. Carefully hanging it in the armoire, she put on her regular gown and settled herself to wait in the library. Max was simply meeting with the Queen, he wasn’t out chasing villains, so she attempted to put aside her pacing and instead use the library for what it was intended for… reading a book.

She settled into a chair, picking up a book of fables. She passed the afternoon away, reading stories that reminded her of childhood until she reached the story of Red Riding Hood. Frowning at the page, stared at the words, her thoughts twisting on the similarities between the story and her own circumstances over the last year.

She’d made the journey to what she thought would be a family member, only to find herself in the house of a wolf. Good thing she’d happened upon a woodsman. With those thoughts, she set the book aside and moved to the fire. She’d read this story many times in her life, and she’d always wondered how the girl hadn’t seen the truth.