Wide awake, for Hamish.
Her hair spread, cloudlike, over her pillows, hands linked behind her neck, Lea traced the weaving patterns that decorated the brocade curtains of her bed with her eyes. She did so detest these sleepless nights. They made it harder to rise in the early mornings.
Olivia had vanished again, the day before. She returned and would tell only that she had gone to visit “her Watchman friend.” A frown pulled Lea’s pink lips down.
A collage of details. Worries, worries and more worries. That was the result of it all. Father, bless him, assured her he trusted in Olivia’s judgement, and remarked that the idea of telling Olivia not to see him was laughable. And yet…
What if he were to hurt her? The Watch attracted so many cruel people to their ranks. She knew Olivia’s instincts were good, and yes his name had perfect repute, but who was to say for certain? Olivia was at that perfect age where attention and flattery could move a girl to indecent measures. That this man, this Thames might take advantage—Holger forbid! And yet, the extremely slight possibility pierced her heart too deeply to ignore. What if, what if, what if?
Oh, my heart. Olivia, darling sister, when will you let me meet this man you call your friend?











