At length, I ventured to suggest that now we had left ordinary towns and people behind us, she might liberate her pet from its cage to enjoy the open air with us. “What a charming idea,” she said, her tone communicating precisely the opposite of her words. Simon looked curiously down at the cage he held. Her eyes flicked over him. “If Mr Drake wishes to risk another digit, he has my permission to attempt it.” Simon flushed. It seemed her eyes were as sharp as her tongue. I had not noticed Simon’s afflicted thumb until I had spent far more time than that in his company, and I had not dared to
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