Page 51 of Murder at Somerset House (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery #9)
She looked away. “My mother was … a free spirit and did not always conform to the rules of society. Indeed, some of her activities would have caused a great deal of trouble had they become known. I learned quickly how to … keep things to myself.”
Hawk stepped back and motioned Raven and Peregrine to join him.
A flurry of whispering ensued, interrupted once or twice by a low woof from Harper.
When finally they broke apart, it was Raven who stepped forward to speak. “Hawk and Peregrine think you deserve to know what’s going on.”
“And what do you think?” challenged Eddy.
“Actually, I agree.” Seeing a smile start to form on her lips, he held up his hand. “But wait! First you have to agree to a very solemn covenant.”
Her eyes widened in question.
“A blood oath,” explained Peregrine. “Just as I was asked to make. The three of us swore to be brothers-in-spirit—loyal to the bone, no matter what.”
“In other words, you officially become a Weasel,” piped up Hawk.
“It’s not something to take on lightly,” said Raven. He drew out a stag-handled pocket knife from his boot and clicked the blade open. “You have to be sure your heart is entirely committed to it.”
“I … feel at home here …”
Squaring her shoulders, Eddy held out her hand. “I’m sure.”
Hawk and Peregrine did the same.
Raven carefully pricked each of their forefingers and then his own.
“One for all and all for one,” he intoned, then signaled for their four fingers to come together, mingling the drops of blood.
Harper let out a gusty sigh and wagged his tail.
“Now the last part of the ritual is you need to choose an avian moniker,” said Raven.
“Pigeon is the obvious one,” mused Hawk. He furrowed his brow. “But it’s … it’s a byword for being soft and unwitting. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Merlin,” announced Raven after a long moment of thought. “It’s a ladylike hawk but a fierce one. And after all, you have a magical touch with animals.”
Hawk and Peregrine nodded enthusiastically.
“Merlin,” repeated Eddy, testing the name out on her tongue. “Oiy, I like that.” She gave a shy smile. “I’m honored to join the flock.”
“In the morning, we’ll convene our inner circle for a council of war and inform the others that you’re now a member.” Repressing a yawn, Raven picked up a rag from the side table by his bed and began wiping off the greasy dirt from his face. “In the meantime, I’m going to get some sleep.”
A sigh followed. “I don’t suppose you have any licorice left?”
Eddy laughed. “Merlin might just be able to conjure up a piece or two for all of us.”
Despite the added complications, Charlotte was, at heart, relieved when Raven had demanded an audience at first light to inform her and Wrexford that he and Hawk—seconded by Peregrine—had made the decision to deem Eddy a full-fledged member of their tight-knit inner circle.
Wrexford had been far less pleased as he turned to confront an unrepentant Raven. However, she had whispered, “Father and sons,” to remind him that disagreements and butting heads were part of the age-old cycle.
And to his credit, the earl had tempered his fears and concerns, listening with admirable patience as Raven explained his reasoning. Indeed, after the presentation ended, he blew out a harried breath and conceded that the Weasels had made the right decision.
“Thank heavens we don’t have to shilly-shally around Eddy any longer,” said McClellan after Charlotte had hurried to the breakfast room and informed her of the new turn of events.
“Amen to that,” replied Charlotte. “Though I must say, the more I see how well she keeps her composure in dealing with all the new demands in her life, the more impressive it is. Unlike me at her age, she’s mature beyond her years.”
“I have a feeling that her unconventional life and worldly experiences traveling with her mother demanded that she grow up fast,” mused the maid. “That augers well for her fitting in here.” A wry smile. “Our family is hardly a pattern card for propriety.”
The observation stirred yet another jolt of worry for what lay ahead in the future for Eddy.
Much as Charlotte embraced the spirit of individuality, she knew all too well that a young lady who chose to follow her own path was treading on perilous ground.
A myriad of little dangers lay in wait, especially for one whose legitimacy could be questioned—
Laughter echoed in the corridor, and a moment later the boys and Eddy filed in for the morning meal, with the earl right behind them. Shaking off her brooding, she turned her attention back to the present moment.
Wrexford waited for everyone to be seated before settling into his own chair and regarding each of them in turn. “Everyone here now knows that we are involved in a dangerous investigation that has great ramifications for our country.”
Hands folded in her lap, Eddy was watching him intently.
Charlotte felt her heart swell as she suddenly saw so much of Wrexford—the slant of his cheekbone, the arch of his brow, the sea-green intensity of his gaze—in her profile. The future held countless little things to discover about Eddy.
Joys and no doubt challenges …
The earl poured himself a cup of coffee. “Some of you know more about the actual specifics than others. And for now, that is how it should stay.”
Eddy’s response was immediate. “I understand, Wrex. Be assured I won’t pester any of you with questions.”
“I very much appreciate that—” he began.
“But,” interrupted Eddy.
Wrexford’s expression turned wary.
“But if there is anything I can do to help, I hope you will ask me.” A grin twitched on her lips. “You all know how strong a kinship I feel with animals, so I am thrilled to have become an honorary Weasel and hope to contribute to our efforts.”
Raven glanced at Hawk and Peregrine, which triggered a chorus of chortles. But the hilarity quickly died away as Sheffield appeared in the doorway.
Wrexford started to rise.
“No need to get up,” assured Sheffield. “I just thought I would come around early to fetch Raven—”
He fell silent on spotting Eddy.
“You may speak freely, Kit,” said Charlotte. “Eddy is now a full-fledged member of our inner circle.”
“Ah!” Sheffield snapped a jaunty salute. “Welcome to the flock.”
“Who else is a member—” began Eddy.
“Pssst—no questions, remember?” chided Raven, though a glint of teasing flickered in his eyes.
“In this case, it’s a good query,” said Charlotte.
“She should know who has our complete trust.” She waited for Wrexford’s nod of agreement before continuing.
“Mrs. Sheffield and Aunt Alison, as well as McClellan and Tyler. And then there is Basil Henning, our dear surgeon friend whom you have not yet met. He has been working night and day to help a medical friend battle an outbreak of influenza in the slums of St. Giles.”
“Be careful not to shake Mr. Henning’s hand if he offers it,” counseled Hawk. “His fingers are usually smeared with far more disgusting substances than ours are.”
Peregrine nodded and added a retching sound.
A stern look from Charlotte warned them to stubble their theatrics.
Sheffield helped himself to one of McClellan’s fresh-baked sultana muffins.
“Shake a leg, Raven. Finish your eggs and gammon, then hurry and change into your uniform. Mr. Ricardo sent word that he would like you to be at the Stock Exchange when the doors open and continue keeping an eye on who is buying and selling as you make your rounds.”
Eddy was clearly bursting with curiosity but managed to hold back another question.
Charlotte sympathized. “Why don’t the two of us pay a call on Alison later this morning? She will want to be updated on the latest developments.”
Hawk flashed a hopeful smile. “I’m sure she will also want to visit Gunter’s and purchase a bag of Pontefract cakes.”
“Is that so?” Charlotte raised her brows. “What happened to that rather large bag of licorice you brought home the other day?”
“That’s a sticky question. It seems to have disappeared.” A mournful sigh. “Ummm, perhaps Harper ate it all.”