Constantine Capers: The Pennington Perplexity Natalie Brianne (best summer reads of all time .txt) 📖

uncle wouldn’t miss it. The pistol was the last thing she placed in her suitcase.

Her uncle, Byron, and Landon stood waiting for her downstairs. Byron looked relieved that she had packed. Her uncle and Landon looked increasingly worried.

“Mira, I know this will be hard for you, but I can’t begin to tell you what a relief this is. Ever since you’ve come back, I’ve been worried sick. I just—” Her uncle stopped.

“I know. You don’t want to lose me, too.” She looked up at him with a slight smile.

“I don’t think I could handle it if…well, if anything were to happen to you.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sure there are quite a few things to draw out there, and the new surroundings will do you good. I’ve arranged for you to stay in a hotel in Bradford until we can find other accommodations.”

“Of course.”

“Aren’t you taking Nero?” Her uncle looked at her and cocked his head.

“He doesn’t like trains, you know that. He can stay here until we get everything sorted out.”

Her uncle nodded. “This is for the best, Mira. Especially with the recent rise in crime. Two more murders in Whitechapel just yesterday morning,” he muttered.

Byron came to the foot of the stairs and extended a hand to take her luggage. She shook her head and kept ahold of her precious cargo. Byron stepped back and studied her. She tried to keep her face unreadable. Her uncle embraced her, hiding her expression.

“I would go with you if I could, but unfortunately business keeps me here. Landon will escort you to the train station. You’ll be able to manage from there on your own?”

“Of course, Uncle.” She started to move towards the door and then hesitated and looked at Byron. He continued to study her. He mustn’t suspect. She swallowed, set her suitcase down by the wall, and moved over to him.

“Byron, please be careful.”

“I will, Mira. I will.”

“No, I mean seeing as I might never see you again.”

“Yes Mira?”

She hesitated for a moment and looked down.

“Byron, I…” Her voice cracked. She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

“I know.” He brushed her cheek with his hand.

She looked up at him, noting worry in his eyes. No longer suspecting. Completely trusting. Even recognizing. She gave him a soft smile. Byron leaned in closer and whispered into her ear.

“I’ll find a way out of this situation and get that journal back as well. I’d like to read more about the girl that I’m in love with.” He took her hand and gently kissed it. Her face flushed as she glanced at her uncle. Byron smiled at her.

“Miss Mira, it’s time to go.” Landon picked up her suitcase and opened the door.

“Byron, promise me.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t do anything foolish.” She gave her uncle a final hug and followed Landon out the door. Landon called a carriage and set the suitcase down in the bottom when it stopped. He helped Mira in and then sat next to her. The carriage rumbled towards the train station.

“I’m surprised, Miss.”

“That I gave in so easily?”

“Yes, actually.”

“You all have good reason to want me safe. Even if I don’t agree.”

He nodded and went silent. She peered out the window at the street. “Landon, what if he dies?” Her voice cracked again.

“He won’t.”

“But what if…”

“He explained the whole situation to me, Miss. If they truly know of his memory problems, he isn’t a threat to them. You are the only one in danger here.”

“I find it difficult to believe that.”

“We’ll contact you as soon as he sends us any news. I’m certain he has a plan. And I’m guessing you do as well?”

“Why would I have a plan?”

“I like to think I know you better than just about anyone, Miss. I can see the scheming behind your eyes.”

“No. I’m going to Yorkshire,” she lied.

“I also picked up your suitcase.” He gave her a pointed look. “It seems a bit light. Just don’t let me see. After all, I have a duty to your uncle.”

“You aren’t going to stop me?”

“I’ve known you long enough. I might as well save my breath rather than try to stop you. If you follow your own advice, I’ll try not to worry.”

“My advice?”

“Don’t do anything foolish.”

They rode on in silence until they reached the train station. He helped her out of the carriage and took her suitcase to the ticket desk. He returned with a ticket and walked with her into the station. The air filled with steam from the waiting train.

“I suppose this is goodbye for now, Landon.”

“Yes, it is, Miss. Just remember your first stop is in Bradford. You’ll stay the night there before going on to York.”

“I remember. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll always worry about you, Miss.” Wetness filled his eyes. She hugged him tight.

“I’ll be fine.”

She pulled away and gave him a smile. He smiled back and then helped her onto the train. She would be traveling first class if she stayed on the train. Except that wasn’t in the plan. She moved to a window in first class and waved goodbye to Landon through a gap. She waited until he left the station, and then began her journey to the back of the train. It wasn’t moving yet and wouldn’t be leaving until seven o’clock. She checked the time on the train station clock. Ten to seven. She didn’t have much time. She moved past the dining car and past the people sitting in second class. A conductor stood in front of the door to the baggage car. She took a breath and walked up to him.

“Excuse me sir, a server in the dining hall told me that a conductor was needed. There is a passenger making a disturbance.”

“There is?”

“Yes sir. I was just moving into second class, and he asked me if I could pass the message on.”

“I’m afraid that I need to keep to my post here.”

“Several other passengers were complaining about it, sir. It is becoming quite a riot in there. We wouldn’t want to delay the train. I