Blair eventually convinced Nancy to go away and leave them alone so they could talk privately. It took a while to convince the older woman.

Nancy offered to make her something to eat, and Blair declined. Then Nancy talked her into looking at the new windows installed in the library, and they went down the hall to go look.

Things were not perfect inside the library. Some shelving would need to be replaced, along with some books. In general, things were a mess. But the new windows were installed and Nancy raved about how they were enhanced.

“Look at this!”

She picked up a claw hammer that a workman left on a nearby table and walked over to the nearest window.

“Nancy, don’t—”

She slammed the hammer into the glass . . . and nothing happened.

“You see? Not even a crack. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“Straight from a factory in Frankfurt,” Rip said, with a little smile. “It’s the latest thing.”

“Hm.”

Nancy wanted to continue, and would have continued talking with both of them for most of the night. But Blair finally pulled the “private conversation” card with her, claiming that she and Rip needed to discuss things about their recent venture that should not be overheard.

“Oh! Is it about the robots? Or the black airships? Or is it about that mud monster on Level Two?”

Blair turned and gave him a look.

Rip shrugged and smiled back at her.

“I didn’t go into much detail. I just gave her a broad outline of the day’s events, that’s all.”

Blair did not seem too happy that he said anything, but she let it go. At last she pulled Rip into the guest cottage while Nancy remained in the house.

She leaned up against the closed door and sighed.

“Honestly! I love her to pieces, but she offers me very little privacy.”

“And you like your privacy, huh?”

“I do. I like to do things when nobody’s watching. Or when nobody knows it’s me. It’s part of my class.”

“Having a nosy maid does not suit your class, then.”

“No, it does not.”

“Have you thought about confiding in her more? Maybe you could let her help you out.”

“Be my ‘Alfred?’ Whatever that means on your world.”

“Yeah.”

She sighed and left the door, heading for the sofa. He followed. They both sat down, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Some of the things I do . . . are not things I want anyone to know about, really. They are a burden, and I don’t wish to foist that burden upon anyone.”

Rip didn’t say anything for a long time. The lamplight in the room flickered lightly with a draft, making the only noise.

Slowly, he put his arm around her shoulders. She kept her head leaning on his arm.

“Sometimes, it’s good to share your burdens.”

“Maybe someday,” she said, yawning. “Not today. Not tonight.”

Several minutes later, Rip thought of something else to say, but he heard steady, even breathing and realized Blair fell asleep.

He smiled and settled back in the couch, content to let her doze.

At some point, though, I’m going to have to get her back inside the house. I’m sure Nancy is still in the kitchen, keeping an eye on things.

After sitting still for about an hour, Rip decided decorum demanded he send her back.

He moved his arm and jostled her just enough to wake her up.

Her eyes fluttered open and she immediately took stock of the surroundings.

“Impressive. You would do well camping in the field, where I come from.”

She smiled and stretched.

“I do well camping in the field, here. Sad to say we did not spend the night in the Ethinium steam vault. My life is not yet complete.”

Rip frowned.

“Can’t say I share your sentiment. I will be just fine if I never have to go back down into that place. There’s nothing natural down there.”

“The gardens weren’t bad. At least the top ones. The mushroom gardens smelled too much like manure. I was wondering where the street sweepers were selling their dung these days.”

“Anyway, before you go back to the house—”

“Is that a hint? So brazen and rude. Is everyone on your world like that?”

He smiled again.

“Before you go back, is there anything I need to be aware of about this hearing tomorrow?”

“No, you know the drill. It’s the usual place settings. There will be a public hearing which will be packed, then we’ll have a much more intimate discussion with the king or his representative. Although lately, you seem to have drawn the king’s attention quite a bit, so it will probably be Allo again.”

She stood and moved to leave. Rip followed, and they lingered at the door for a moment.

She looked up at him and smiled, placing her hands on his biceps.

“Remember when I found you? I called you Muscles. That’s still a good nickname, I think.”

“As I recall, I was the one who found you and the rest of the team.”

“You can remember it however you want. We all know how faulty memories are.”

They locked eyes for a moment.

Finally she said, “I’m glad you’re safe.”

She stood on tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

He opened the door and she stepped out, heading back through the garden to the kitchen door.

Rip watched Blair return to the house.

Then he saw Nancy looking out into the garden from her spot at the kitchen window, the lamplight turned low so she could see outside in the dark.