soft against my ear. His breath stirred the stray hairs on the back of of my neck.
I spun and was most startled to find Agent Asher Key standing directly in front of me with a smart, smug smile. “Ash! The hat?”
He lifted an eyebrow. He looked quite dashing this evening. I had so rarely seen the man so well put together. His suit was fine black wool, and it suited his strong figure quite nicely. His dark blonde hair appeared recently trimmed, though I rather missed the roguish, over-long mane he'd sported when last we met. “I was simply attempting to guess what about him so interests you. You seem quite enthralled by the man.”
I smiled. “Not for the reasons you think.”
“No indeed?”
“But what are you doing here? I would not have expected to find you at such a frivolous spectacle as this.”
“Ah.” His cobalt gaze slid from mine for an ephemeral instant. He looked distinctly uncomfortable.
I lifted my eyebrows. The good cheer I'd experienced since my impromptu audience with Eitenne Allard seemed to pop like a balloon. My stomach clenched as I realised Asher must not have come alone. Oh, that was fine, after our most intimate discussion on the Isle of Jules. Fine indeed. “I see.”
“You see?” He looked back at me in surprise. “What do you see?”
I had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of deducing the sudden, boiling thrill of jealousy that had coursed through me at the thought of his date. I smiled pleasantly at him. “It is of nothing, Ash. It was, of course, my decision--”
“Asher, darling! There you are.”
Asher and I turned to the woman. I gaped at her in shock. When Asher turned back to me with a bemused aspect, I snapped my mouth shut. I had not realised his tastes ran towards elderly matrons, but the woman seemed quite certain they had arrived united. The woman was stout, dressed in a shocking pink gown with long, black gloves and a lacy black hat atop her meticulous blonde curls. Her face was still lovely despite her advancing age, though she could have been Ash's mother, for their difference in years.
“I wondered to where you'd disappeared so suddenly.” The woman swatted him playfully with a large, lacy black fan that complemented her wide-brimmed hat. “One moment I was speaking to Mr Deerford, and the next I turned around to find you quite absent.”
Asher rolled his eyes. “I am sorry, Mother.”
Suddenly, I felt quite foolish.
“I spotted an old colleague of mine.”
I pressed a hand delicately to my lips to prevent the bubble of laughter from escaping. His mother. Indeed, my blitheness returned as though it had never left me.
Asher appeared somewhat nonplussed by this unexpected union of mother and former lover. His discomfort was practically tangible. I was most amused. “Colleague?” his mother asked, glancing around as though someone else might emerge from the crowd to greet her. “But where is he?”
“Not he. She. Mother, may I introduce Mrs Astrid Darby. Astrid, this is my mother, Mrs Vera Key.”
The matron stared at me for several moments. There was no expression on her face, but her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. I inclined my head to her, though I did not expect an equally polite reception from the women. My profession does not recommend me to polite society, and I am quite notorious in many circles. Asher, too, seemed curious to see his mother's reaction to me. I wondered, for the first time in our acquaintance, if he'd spoken of me to his parents.
“I am most delighted to make your acquaintance, Mrs Key.”
Most unexpectedly, Mrs Key's aged face lit up. She looked suddenly years younger, almost childlike. “Astrid Darby!” She stepped towards me and clutched my hands in hers. “You must call me Vera. I have heard so very much about you, not just from my son. You name is quite well known in society.”
I smiled dryly. “Yes, I have heard such before.”
“I am so pleased to finally meet you. There are so many stories. I simply could not believe it.”
“I am gratified by your acknowledgment, but I am afraid many of the tales of my exploits have been blown quite out of proportion. They are not all true.”
Vera smiled slyly. “It is impossible to judge the truth of a tale when it comes from this precocious lad.”
“Mother!” Asher scolded. “I am not a precocious lad any longer, I'll thank you to remember. I'm a grown man.”
“So he often reminds me,” Vera told me conspiratorially. “But I still like to think of him as my sweet little boy.”
I stifled a snicker. Asher did not seem particularly embarrassed by the woman, and I suspected she was putting him on a bit. She threaded an arm through mine.
“You simply must join us for dinner this evening. I would just love to hear some of the true stories. Is it really true you were responsible for the destruction of Big Ben last summer?”
I waved a blithe hand. “That is an oversimplification, though I shouldn't wonder who was spreading such tales.” I glanced archly at Asher. His expression was unrepentant. “I would be happy to regale you of the full and accurate account of events.”
Asher rolled his eyes. “Full and accurate events indeed. Do not believe a word she says, Mother. She is infamous for her embellishments.”
“Asher Key!” I scolded. “That is a most charitable and untrue thing to say, particularly in polite company. Why, I am known for being a most eloquent and trustworthy speaker.”
“That does not necessarily indicate your truthfulness.” He lifted an eyebrow and peered through the crowd around us. “Are you alone this evening, Astrid?”
“Oh, you know me. I rarely travel alone. I am joined this evening by my dear young wards, Xander and Juliana.”
“Ah. And how is the young lady?”
“She is quite well indeed. Her treatments have been most effective. Dr Yeager expects a complete recover in the near future.”
“Indeed?” Vera asked. “I have heard about Miss Coffin. The poor young girl. I have hear she was quite ill, and she has enough to be getting on with, what with the scandal with her father.”
“Ah, but Juliana is quite resilient, Mother.”
“She is that,” I agreed. “She rarely allows herself to fall prey to despair or worry, though she has much reason. She is a delightful companion, and she gets along famously with my dear young cousin. Her presence is simply a light in our lives. I have not for a moment regretted taking her in as my ward.”
“And has she become a full fledged member of your entourage?” Vera appeared rather amused by the very idea.
“Ah, well, she is still not as strong as she could be. She is, however, very eager to learn our family business, and she is exceedingly clever. She's been terribly helpful on many occasions with her intellectual contributions, though I suspect she will soon demand a more hands-on experience.”
“Oh, you must invite your young wards to dine with us. I am eager to meet two more adventurers, particularly a keen young lady. I am a great supporter of equality for women, you see. We are as capable as men in many fields, as I am sure you have proven on a number of occasions.”
I smiled. “I would like to think so.”
“I suspect we are often more effective. I am certain my son would agree. Would you not, darling?”
Asher rolled his eyes again, but his mouth turned up slightly in amusement. “Speaking of your particular employment, Astrid, what did you say brings you to the circus this evening?”
“I did not say. I was invited by a new friend.”
“And what friend would this be? Mr Flaire?”
“It is Dr Flaire, I understand.” I glanced sidelong at him. His jaw tightened slightly. I smiled. “But no, I am not acquainted with the good Master Flaire. It was, in fact, one of the funambulists, funnily enough.”
“I did not realise you were particular friends with the performers, Astrid.”
I laughed. “Well, there are many things about me of which you know little, Asher.”
He frowned. Vera barked with appreciative laug
hter. “It appears as though my son is a bit jealous, Mrs Darby.”
“I am not jealous. I am simply concerned for with whom Astrid spends her time.”
“I assure you, Ash, I have spent only the briefest half hour with the young man this afternoon in the Blue Bottle.”
“Ah. I see. So you are on the job, then.”
“That remains to be seen. My time this evening has been engaged, but I am not convinced a need for my services truly exists.”
“But this is not like you, Astrid. I understand you were to be on holiday. It's unlike you to cut it short for such a thing.”
“Ah, well, there is the perk of the location of the engagement, isn't there?”
Asher laughed. “Ah. I see. So you are here for the show.”
“Indeed. I am looking most forward to it.”
“As are we,” Vera put in cheerfully. “I haven't had such a laugh in a number of years. I was delighted that my son could join me on our adventure. My husband has been bed-ridden for months, you see. His health is failing in his old age.”
“I am very sorry to hear that.”
She waved her hand. “Thank you, dear, but it suits him well. He always did prefer dallying abed all day. Now he is forced to do so, and he has never been happier.”
“That is unkind, Mother,” Asher scolded mildly.
“Oh, you know I jest, darling. Your father worked quite hard when he was young and strong. He deserves a little rest on his twilight years. In any case, I rarely see much of my dear son these days. He is always off on some adventure. His job of course, as I'm sure you know quite well. I do not begrudge him