Labyrinth Gate Read Online Free PDF Page A

beginning to shiver.
    “I think Julian has put our case incorrectly,” said Kate. We’re not saints. We’re just bored.”
    “No, Kate. Not just bored. Excruciatingly, numbingly bored. Indeed, your troubles would undoubtedly provide us with a much-needed diversion. Why else would you have found us in the least savory area of town? I fear that we had simply run out of anything else to do.”
    “Now, Julian, that isn’t quite true. I did want to visit Master Cardspinner, but how was I to know that he’d left the city after reading the coming riot?”
    “In any case,” finished Julian, “it will be warmer at Vole House. Permit me to introduce myself.” He bowed slightly. “Julian Haldane, Lord Vole. This is Miss Sophia Cathcart.”
    “Sanjay Mukerji.” Sanjay put out his hand. After the barest hesitation, Lord Vole shook it, followed by Miss Cathcart, who was still smiling.
    “I’m Chryse Lissagaray,” said Chryse, repeating this ritual.
    Lord Vole handed her up into the carriage, and the rest followed after.
    It was a quiet ride. Chryse attempted an explanation. Julian assured her that morning would be soon enough. The carriage clattered over the streets, the steady rhythm of the horses blending with a second set as they met up with another carriage, then a third as the thoroughfare grew wider and better lit.
    That they had reached the wealthier districts was apparent by the many fine carriages and broad, clean, and well-lit house entrances. At last the carriage halted in a quiet square and they walked up the steps of a large, well-proportioned house, set in a line of others like it.
    The door opened before them as if by magic.
    “My lord. Miss Cathcart.” The individual responsible for this sleight of hand was evidently the butler. His eyes registered Chryse and Sanjay, but the rest of his face showed no reaction whatsoever.
    As they came into the grand entrance hall, a rustling sounded from above. An apparition descended the gilt staircase. In one hand she held a lamp; the other held on to the curved railing.
    “She is lovely, Julian,” said this figure, resolving into an aged lady of small stature and formidable presence. “And he—well, were I but forty years younger—” She halted at the second-to-bottom step and regarded them with an aristocrat’s hauteur, dignified by an ornate purple dressing gown that could easily, to Chryse’s eye, have passed for a ball gown. “But I am surprised that you now bring your trifling pleasures openly to your respectable home. Are there not other places for this sort of activity?”
    “You mistake the matter, Aunt Laetitia,” said Julian without any sign of deference to her sharp tone. “Madame et Monsieur are foreigners, lost and robbed. Miss Cathcart and I saved them from unfortunate circumstances and now I offer them the hospitality of Vole House.”
    “Hmph,” stated Aunt Laetitia categorically. “You forget that I am your sainted grandmother’s sister, not some married-in poor relation. If your mother and father were still alive—
    “Alas,” said Julian, “but they are not.”
    “I’m sorry,” said Sanjay automatically.
    Julian bowed in acknowledgement. In the light of his aunt’s lamp, Chryse could see a slight smile on his face and she realized that he was enjoying himself. Miss Cathcart was silent. “I thank you for your concern,” he said, “but it isn’t necessary. My mother died some years ago. I believe she expired of exhaustion after delivering her twelfth child. And my father—died of a fever.”
    “He died of drink,” said Aunt Laetitia.
    “How uncharitable of you to say so, Aunt.”
    She made a sound indicating her disdain. “How my niece married herself to such a wastrel neither your sainted grandmother nor I could ever understand. And I must say that you are following well in his footsteps. Though I daresay your Miss Cathcart outdoes you in that department.” She cast a disparaging look at Kate, who simply offered her