Chapter Seven

“Still busy at this hour?” Jack lingered partway up the stairs, blocking the young servant who’d come hurrying up.

“Jack, please,” she said, her flushed face lined with worry. “I have to finish readying the guest chamber before the master returns.”

“Bringing a lady friend home, is he?”

“How should I know who he’s bringing home? You can ask him if you want. Now, move.” She shoved past him, ignoring the light tap he bestowed on her bottom.

Chuckling, Jack shook his head, unable to imagine any woman wanting to be in Garlon’s company. About to continue to his own room on the top floor, he paused, wanting to see Garlon’s guest, especially if it was a woman.

But where to hide? He couldn’t loiter around the hallway as that would instantly draw unwanted attention. And if he stayed in his room, he’d be too far away to catch a glimpse of anything of interest.

Straightening, he exclaimed softly. The window in his room overlooked the courtyard, so he’d know when Garlon returned. And the man usually returned late from his evening outings. That meant most of the servants would be in their beds, most likely asleep, except for the butler and cook, and possibly a maid if the guest was a woman.

A broad smile on his face, Jack trotted up to his room. The moment he heard Garlon’s carriage approach, he’d creep down the darkened stairway and hide in the library, which would give him a clear view of the entrance hall, and Garlon’s guest.

After almost falling asleep, Jack remained upright, by turns staring out the window then walking around the room, which didn’t take long given its size.

Finally, his dwindling patience was rewarded. The sound of a carriage clattered onto the courtyard. Jack scowled for the covered carriage meant he could only see the driver, illuminated by lamps on either side of his seat. A rider, holding a lantern on a pole to light the way, preceded the carriage.

Stealing out of his room in his stockinged feet, he padded down the left side of the staircase, the least creaky side then stopped as the butler came into sight. He waited for the man to open the door, hoping his full attention was on Garlon, then quickly hurried down, slid forward a few yards, and ducked into the library.

“I suppose she thought it would make the evening more interesting, foolish woman,” said a woman’s voice.

“She is indeed a foolish woman,” said Garlon. “If it hadn’t been for certain lords who always attend her gatherings, I wouldn’t waste one moment in her company.”

“Shall I attend to my lord and lady?” said the butler.

“No. I’ll call you later when we’re done. Come, let us have a drink.”

Jack didn’t dare open the door any wider, but he could barely make out the woman, only catching a glimpse of a dark blue and silver gown. If her voice was anything to go by, she didn’t sound young. As the butler came down the hallway, Jack stood away from the door, his back pressed against the wall.

The door opened a little wider. Jack held his breath, sure his heart was about to burst out of his chest. Then the door shut.

Not moving, Jack waited for his heartbeat to calm down, which gave his vision time to get used to the dark as he had no intention of leaving just yet.

The times Garlon had been out of the house, and Jack had been left to his own devices, he’d taken the opportunity to explore the place. And what he’d discovered in the library, he deemed his greatest find.

He felt his way to the far end and stood close to the vent, positioned a little higher on the wall that the library shared with the drawing room. Obscured by the bookcase, the vent was easy to miss unless one went to the far half of the library.

A slow smile spread across his face as the woman’s slightly distorted voice wafted through the vent.

“… mention of the brick-throwing incident among the ladies.”

Jack’s breath caught. He’d been expecting to hear some tantalising gossip, not what he’d done at the Trade Building. If this woman was a giant-hater like Garlon, did she also support the Anti-Giant faction as he did?

“Mere mention isn’t enough,” said Garlon. “We need action that will garner more attention.”

“The trade lot have left now, haven’t they? They can’t be used as a target. And obviously it isn’t wise to direct any action against those who live here.”

“I’ve given it much thought.” Garlon’s voice sounded closer, and Jack instinctively leaned back. “We make an example of one giant. No, no, not one here. We provoke him until he retaliates, hopefully in a foolish fashion. The trick is to make it seem as if he’s acted completely without provocation.”

Silence followed as Jack slowly nodded. He had to give credit to Garlon and the sly workings of his mind.

“Devious,” said the woman. “I like it. Oh yes, how could I refuse such exceptional wine? Let us toast. But wait. Wouldn’t this plan require the faction to travel to Aiqos?”

“I’ve been doing more than mere thinking. My spies have found a giant who lives far enough away from Aiqos, on Cloud Mountain. He would make an ideal candidate, there are no neighbours, you see. All that remains to be worked out is what action to take against him.”

Neither spoke for what seemed like ages, most likely wracking their brains for a possible solution.

Jack stood with one hand on his hip, his other hand pressed against his mouth. Frowning, he, too, turned over various ideas in his head. Until his brows shot up and he raised his hand before clamping it over his mouth. He’d come too close to forgetting he wasn’t part of the discussion.

“Ah,” said the woman. “Why don’t we steal from him?”

‘Yes’, mouthed Jack, for the same idea had come to him.

“We keep stealing,” continued the woman, “until he’s forced to act. But we keep the thefts secret, so when he reacts, he’ll be accused of acting for no reason, for attacking innocents for no reason.”

Garlon didn’t respond straightaway. “A genius idea, madam.”

Jack struggled to recognise Garlon in the almost-charming tone he’d used.

The woman gave a tittering laugh. “Thank you, kind sir. But I wonder if there are any in the faction brave enough to accomplish such a task. Those I’ve seen come across weak and bookish.”

“I may have the person for the job. He’s already proved himself capable of carrying out tasks I set him. The brick-throwing, for instance.”

Blinking rapidly, Jack took a step back.

“Throwing a brick in the city where he lives is one thing,” said the woman. “Stealing into a giant’s home to steal, though. That’s so much more dangerous. Will he agree?”

Jack swallowed hard, already shaking his head. Nothing would make him agree to take on a giant.

Moments passed before Garlon answered. “I believe he will, for a price. A measure of gold, maybe.”

Jack’s mouth fell open.

“A powerful lure,” said the woman. “But is that enough for him to risk his life?”

“He’s young, brash. Used to living a better life.”

The thought of having a full measure of gold left Jack breathless. Maybe there was something that would make him agree to such a foolhardy plan. He had to force himself to continue listening.

“One of the poor nobility? How did he end up with you, I wonder.”

“The only problem I foresee is where to position our base.”

“Base?” echoed the woman.

“Having my home in the city means it will be impossible for the boy to bring stolen goods here without arousing suspicion.”

“Hmm, your prying neighbours. I keep telling you, a house in the country–”

“I find the mere thought abhorrent. How you keep from succumbing to ennui is beyond me. As I was about to say, it will be best if you keep the stolen goods.”

“At Deverell? Surely you jest.”

Garlon continued speaking as if he hadn’t been interrupted. “It will also be better if the anti-giant faction believes this is your idea. Which it is. Those in charge seem to forget I also fund them. Lately, they’ve been treating my suggestions with poorly concealed hostility.”

“Garlon. I don’t think I like the idea of using my home–”

“I’ll be putting up the gold. All you have to do is provide a safe place for the stolen goods.”

“But how will I hide this from Marcelin?” The woman’s tone had turned pleading. “And Lina? Not to mention that boy. What if he tries to use this against me?”

Pausing in his plans for his unexpected gift of gold, Jack wondered if the woman was referring to members of her family. Did they not despise giants as well?

“Marcelin knows you fund the faction, doesn’t she?”

“Funding is one thing, but–”

“I thought you were the one in control.”

“Of course I am.”

“Then control her. And use her to control that bastard son of hers.”

Jack raised his brows at Garlon’s almost growling tone. Whoever that woman’s son was, Garlon obviously did not like him.