A Conspiracy of Alchemists: Book One in the Chronicles of Light and Shadow by Liesel Schwarz

“That is what Patrice promised, and a deal is a deal. So you better start by telling me the truth, or we are both going to end up in jail before the sun rises.”
    He leaned closer to her. “It’s not safe to speak here. I will explain more later, but the truth is that we needed someone anonymous to transport us back to London. Patrice was in charge of the arrangements, which is why I think he recruited you. We were going to meet you at the airfield and I was to travel on your cargo flight, but Patrice deviated from the plan. He disappeared shortly before lunch yesterday afternoon and I spent far too long looking for him. I was rather fortunate to have found him in that café when I did. I’d thought it best to leave you ignorant about matters for your own protection. You really shouldn’t have run off like that when we landed, before I had a chance to explain things. When we overheard the attendant telling you that Briggs wanted to see you, I slipped round the back while you were clearing customs. He was ready to take you into custody a few minutes ago.”
    She paled. “I told Patrice that I am just the pilot. He promised me there would be no trouble.”
    “We will resolve this. I give you my word,” Marsh said.
    She sat back in her seat. “And how are you planning to do that? Send a telegram to the prime minister? Petition the King?”
    “If I have to. But for now, we need to keep what happened in Paris between us. Until I have spoken with my contacts. Would you mind terribly if we did that?”
    Elle’s despair turned to anger. “Which part would you like to keep between us, Mr. Marsh? The bit about how you lied to me, tricked me, and then almost got me killed? Or is it perhaps that the criminals and cab drivers who frequent the streets of Paris now have command of illegal alchemy that allows them to disappear in plumes of smoke? All I did was try to help you, and look where it has got me. I should have known all this was too good to be true. And besides, who exactly are you? Are you a spy or something?”
    “Or something,” he said. “But you have to believe this is not what you think. I have very good reasons for doing what I did.”
    “I don’t very much care for your reasons, Mr. Marsh … or Lord Greychester … or whoever you are. I have absolutely no reason to trust you.”
    A look of exasperation crossed his face and he pressed his lips together. “As I see it, your options are rather limited at present. You can either trust me to get you out of this situation discreetly, or I can walk out of here and leave you to face our ruddy-cheeked friend on your own. The latter option will, more likely than not, end in your incarceration.”
    Elle felt her argument crumble away. She didn’t want to go to jail. And she definitely did not want her father or uncle to find out about this.
    “So what’s it going to be?” He drew his lips in a thin line.
    “Very well, I will keep your secret,” she said. “I don’t see how I have any choice in the matter. And right now I just want to go home, so if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll do that.” Her words sounded more petulant than she had intended. Still, he pushed herself out of her seat and made for the door. She yanked at the brass doorknob just as Mr. Briggs came into the office with a cup of tea.
    “Oh, Miss Chance. So close to the door,!” Mr. Briggs said. He sloshed the tea into the saucer as he handed her the cup of grayish brew. “Here you go, my dear. That’ll perk you right up. Such a terrible shock you’ve had this evening.”
    “Mr. Briggs, I have a motor with a driver waiting. You may release Miss Chance into my care as soon as she has finished her tea,” Marsh announced. He picked up his gloves. “Until this misunderstanding has been resolved, I am taking the lady into my custody.”
    Elle spluttered into her tea. “Excuse me? You are going to do what?”
    “I am taking you into my custody until the matter is settled with the