YA/Juvenile fantasy, excerpt: a figure walks down a cobble street in cloak followed by a bunch of cats

[Michelle]

Okay, please bear with me because it has been at least a decade since I read this excerpt and I think about it at least once a year.

I have only read the excerpt for this book. I am pretty sure it was the first chapter. I believe it was set in Victorian era London although I vaguely remember a steampunk element about it. There is cloaked figure walking down a cobblestone street and for some reason had dozens (hundreds?) of cats following it, ducking and weaving in and out of each other. I don't know what it had to do with the story because I'm pretty sure the story was about twins or orphans, or twin orphans? But I'm not sure because it was only the excerpt. Please HELP!

I've done so many google searches and nothing comes close to a match. It has been so many years, I almost wonder if I dreamt this. Now I am just hoping someone in this community also happened to read the first chapter and know what I am talking about!

[Bonnie]

It doesn't say anything about cats, but perhaps this one?

The Society of Thirteen

[Michelle]

Bonnie wrote: "It doesn't say anything about cats, but perhaps this one?

The Society of Thirteen"

Not this one but it felt somewhat close. Thank you for taking the time!