I had met, and the proprietor acted as though he’d never heard of her. I thought the Mechanics were mad to taunt the British with their outing, and they were putting children’s lives at risk, but I had no way to reach them. My only hope was to meet Lizzie at the appointed time and try to make them see reason then.
After dinner that evening, I played the piano in the schoolroom in an attempt to quiet the turmoil in my brain. I played as though it was a dexterity drill, my fingers precisely plinking out the notes. I was so focused on the music and on the arguments swirling around in my head that I didn’t notice I had an audience until I glanced up and saw Lord Henry leaning against the piano. All ten of my fingers simultaneously hit their respective keys, sounding a dissonant chord.
“Perhaps we don’t need the music teacher, after all,” he said cheerfully. “I had no idea you were so talented, Miss Newton.”
“I wouldn’t presume to teach Flora,” I said, leaning back from the keyboard and placing my hands in my lap. “She could probably teach me. I play notes. I don’t make music.”
“I thought it sounded wonderful, very fiery. Is something troubling you, Miss Newton?”
“Troubling me?” Although I tried to sound innocent, I feared my quavering voice gave me away. “Whatever gave you that impression?”
He nodded toward the piano. “I recognize the habit. I had music lessons as a boy, but now the only time I ever play is when I’m troubled. Occupying one’s hands and one’s concentration frees the mind to truly think.”
I looked up at him, studying his guileless face and the innocent blue eyes behind the scholarly glasses, trying to read what he might really be saying. Did he know something about my activities, or was he merely being perspicacious? “Yes, that’s it exactly,” I said, trying to match his guilelessness. “In this case, however, the trouble is not mine. A friend has asked my advice, and I wanted to think before I spoke to her.”
His brow furrowed. “Is your friend in trouble?”
Not yet, I thought. Out loud, I said, “Her dilemma involves the attentions of a young man.” I thought that would keep a man like Lord Henry from prying further.
It appeared to work. “Oh, yes, I see,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll give very wise advice.” Still, though, he kept his focus on me in a way that indicated he wasn’t sure he’d heard the whole story—or the truth.
“Incidentally,” I said before he could formulate another question, “are you opposed to my being away from the house overnight? My friend has asked me to stay with her Saturday. We’re working on a charity project Sunday morning, and we need an early start.” I gave him a conspiratorial smile and added, “And I think she wants to talk about her young man before she sees him again.”
“What sort of charity project is it?”
“She works with children in the tenements. She and some friends are preparing a Sunday lunch for them.”
“What an excellent endeavor!” I feared for a moment that he would ask if he could come along, but he merely said, “Of course, you may go. Your time is yours outside the usual school hours and any other events where your presence is required.”
“Thank you, sir,” I said, returning my hands to the keyboard in what I hoped he would take as a signal that I still needed to think.
He reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a wallet, and took out several bills. “My contribution to your charity,” he said, placing them on top of the piano.
“That’s very generous of you, sir,” I said, so touched that I felt guilty for not telling him the complete truth about the project.
He blushed a little as he glanced downward and said, “Get the children a good lunch and some treats,” before leaving.
Saturday afternoon, I packed some overnight things in my bag, hiding Lizzie’s notebook and the Mechanics’ insignia at the bottom.
As she’d promised in her letter, Lizzie was waiting for me at the nearest bus stop. “What’s wrong?” she asked when she saw me.
I hadn’t realized my emotions were so evident. “I’m worried,” I admitted. “I can’t believe you’re planning to do something so mad.”
“Did you come to help us or to talk us out of it?”
“To be honest? Talk you out of it, if I can.”
“Oh, Verity, there’s nothing to worry about. We know what we’re doing.” That didn’t