both hands through his hair. “She’s always been adorable. But Nell isn’t twelve anymore. She’ll destroy her reputation before she’s even attempted her ordeal.”
With his hair on end and his eyes hollow at the thought of his sister’s wayward behavior, Ryker actually looked better to Thalia than he had before. What a shame he was disgusted by Thalia’s very existence. What a shame that Thalia had been too stupid to notice his innate distaste for her, too drawn to him to read him accurately. “Why are you so concerned with reputation and morals? Hiding some interests of your own? Never mind. I don’t care. I’ve had quite enough frank honesty.” Thalia turned for the door.
Ryker was quick. He edged between two enormous potted plants as he came around the grand piano and reached her as she opened the door. As his fingers brushed her shoulder, Thalia drew her elbow back hard and caught him in the solar plexus. “Get off me!”
“Oof—” Ryker stumbled backward. “Wait!”
Thalia stormed her way into the foyer. The butler loomed up, Thalia’s umbrella in hand. “Here you are, miss.”
“Rogers, stop her!” Ryker ordered.
“I said.” Thalia took the umbrella and whirled to place its point against Ryker’s top waistcoat button. “Get off.”
From the other side of the foyer, a girl called out joyously. “The Lady of the Lake!” Nell Ryker, all shining black ringlets, rosy cheeks, and merry laughter, came dancing forward with a little handclap of appreciation. “Oh, Nat! You are the best brother in the world.”
Thalia held the umbrella steady as she turned to address the brat. The brat paid no attention. She tossed her curls fetchingly as she came to a halt so close that Thalia could see her every eyelash.
“Just play along,” the girl murmured, scarcely moving her lips. Thalia was startled by the gleam of malice beneath the brat’s sunniness as she addressed her brother. “You’ve brought me the Lady of the Lake for my birthday!”
All frank friendliness, the girl held out her hand to Thalia. “I am Eleanor Ryker. You must call me Nell. I am sure we shall become great friends.”
“No, you won’t.” Ryker made a fizzing sound of pure disapproval. “That is not why she is here. Nell, don’t do this.”
Anything that made Ryker make a noise like that was fine with Thalia. She had to lower her umbrella and shift it to her left hand to accept Miss Ryker’s offered handshake. To her surprise, Miss Ryker’s grip was firm enough to make her hand twinge painfully. “I am Thalia Cutler. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Delighted to meet you, Miss Cutler.” Nell Ryker turned to her brother. “Go away, Nat. I want to speak with Miss Cutler in private. Just us modern women.”
“Nell, please behave yourself.” Ryker adjusted his spectacles. “Miss Cutler, however low your opinion of me might be, while you are under this roof, I trust you will behave responsibly.”
“Mr. Ryker.” Thalia searched for words sharp enough to cut him down to size. In the end, she had to settle for a feeble “Never speak to me again.”
Ryker bowed stiffly and left them. A moment later, entirely impassive, Rogers followed in his wake. Thalia was alone with Miss Eleanor Ryker.
Chapter Seven
Nell Ryker bounced with glee as she seized Thalia’s umbrella. “Let me take this. Come up to my workroom so we can have some privacy. If we stay down here, Rogers will listen at the keyhole. Won’t you, Rogers?”
Thalia followed her hostess. Nell Ryker was quick and graceful. They climbed flight after flight of stairs. Thalia marveled at the size and splendor of the house, but she said nothing to Miss Ryker.
At the top of the house, Nell Ryker stopped, her hand on the ornate handle of a door with a pointed arch like something from an illustrated storybook. Thalia had never seen such a door in her life.
“My inner sanctum,” Nell Ryker told Thalia solemnly. “We will be safe here.”
Thalia let her hostess lead her into the slant-ceilinged room beyond. At one time, it had clearly been a playroom or nursery. There were toys still on the shelves, and a rocking horse of unusual beauty in the corner. Now it was a workroom. The table by the window was littered with stacks of coins, decks of cards, and handcrafted tricks of the sort the Ostrova Magic Company sold to children. Alongside lay sheets of paper covered with notes and diagrams.
Nell Ryker showed Thalia everything, her pride and ambition unmistakable. Thalia felt her throat growing a