ladies present they’ll be allowed to touch. With all those magister girls around, there won’t be many ladies who aren’t forbidden.”
“And that is why I imagine I will be very busy with my chaperoning duties at the ball.”
She laughed. “Not if I know Lady Flora. She won’t notice those who aren’t magisters. Chaperoning her is the easiest job in the city.”
I wished she would hurry and finish the fitting because I needed to carry out Lord Henry’s errand as soon as possible. With all those soldiers in the area, getting to the bookstore unnoticed might be more difficult. I was in such a rush to get out that I forgot to loosen my corset again before dressing, so hurrying down the sidewalk left me short of breath. I leaned against the wall to recover, then moved more sedately toward the barricades.
The British barrier was still in place, but there was more activity in the streets in the rebel area than there had been during my last visit. Mechanics ran past in small groups, pausing at each corner to look around before running ahead. A shrill whistle made me jump, and I turned to see the smaller steam engine that had pulled the hayride at the picnic coming down the street, pulling a cart filled with men rather than hay.
The rebels were all heading toward Greenwich Square, where the airship was still unloading soldiers. I doubted they were going to give the new arrivals a friendly welcome. Fighting could start at any moment. I knew Lord Henry would understand if I couldn’t carry out his errand. He had even instructed me not to put myself in danger, but it shouldn’t take too long and I was several blocks from where the fighting would be. I didn’t want him to think me a coward, and I wanted to prove to myself that I was still committed to the cause. Clutching the parcel tighter, I hurried on to the bookshop.
The windows of the bookshop were even more papered over than before. In addition to all the political posters, there were several advertising a theatrical extravaganza the night of the ball at an address I recognized as the Mechanics’ theater. I suspected it was a diversion to occupy the soldiers. If the officers were at the ball and many of the soldiers were at the theater, it would be the ideal time for the rebels to raid British facilities.
The door of the bookshop opened before I had a chance to ring the bell. The same man was there, as were several others. I recognized one of them from among the Mechanics who’d been at Battery Park. He wore their strange garb mixing work clothes and formal wear—a brocade waistcoat over a red flannel union suit and striped trousers tucked into tall boots. He had a pair of goggles pushed up onto his forehead and a squashed top hat with a giant gem in the middle of the hatband resting on the back of his head.
As soon as I was inside, the yellow-haired man snatched the parcel away from me. “We were wondering if we’d ever see this,” he muttered. “It’s been days. Were there difficulties?”
“I told you before, I’m just a courier,” I said stiffly. “And now, if you don’t mind, I would like to purchase some books.”
“Purchase some books?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“This is a bookshop, is it not?”
“She needs to buy something to have an excuse for having been here,” the Mechanic said wearily, like he was accustomed to the yellow-haired man being obtuse.
“What sort of book?” the proprietor asked.
“I don’t suppose you have any new paperback novels? I prefer adventure or detective stories. A romance will do in a pinch.”
He went to a shelf and brought out a stack of books. “You can look through these and choose which ones you want.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll take them all. Please wrap them up for me.” I handed him the banknote Henry had given me. While he counted out my change, there was a loud crash outside the store. The Mechanic rushed to the window to peer out through a slit between posters.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“The fighting may have started. I’d better check before you go out there, miss.” He pulled the goggles over his eyes, straightened his hat, then opened the door ever so slightly and slid out sideways.
The bookseller took his time wrapping the books in brown paper, whistling tunelessly between his teeth while he wound the package with