It was just beginning to turn into late evening when Colleen was welcomed into her cousin’s greeting room. Unlike her mothers, it was pretty without being extravagant, comely without being too lavish. Just the right amount of luxury. This made Colleen feel calmer as she entered.

Lily was lounging in what appeared to be a favorite butter cream chaise, reading a piece of paper and sipping a cup of tea. Without looking up she spoke, her voice bright and welcoming, “Good evening dear cousin. I trust your travels went well. Please sit. Have some tea and cakes. I even request my staff serve you some treacle tart, since you’ve never partook of it. At least, I hope I am correct in that assumption.”

Colleen was sometimes still surprised by her cousin’s ability to read and speak simultaneously, but that was just one skill that was taught at the exclusive “finishing” school for girls. A school that was really a training grounds for lady intelligencers. Inwardly, she wished she was one of the few handpicked to train at such a facility.

Shaking her head, she sat along her cousin, wondering at the letter and the odd little widget on the table. It resembled something of an ugly metal collar and a sad attempt at a bow tie. Her eyes stayed upon it a moment before they landed upon the aforementioned treat. T’was true she’d never tried this delicacy and she wondered if now was the time.

“You are correct, Lily. I’ve not had the pleasure of sampling such delicacies as this. Although, now I wonder which is more of the delicacy. The tart, or this odds bob item you have here.

Lily laughed at that. A laugh that was just this side of absurd and horse like. She coughed, and brought her laugh down to a soft, girlish titter. “You do get straight to the heart of it dear, don’t you? It must be your Irish upbringing. No strings and bows for you. I might as well explain, since you asked.”

Lily stood slowly, winked at her cousin before she wandered around the room, checking nooks and corners for listening devices and the like. She continued until she was satisfied and returned to her previous place. With her heel, she tapped a small crystal like item under her chaise, then began Serving a piece of tart to Colleen. Watching her cousin, she began, “There’s been a rumor floating around a few select ton, as it want, that there is a conspiracy to either overthrow or outright assassinate the monarchy of both England and London.”
Colleen froze, nearly dropping her utensil to the carpet. Did her cousin know what she was speaking? Such a plot, even in jest would have anyone thrown to the tower, or worse.

“I know what you are thinking, dear cousin. Even for all your training, your eyes are rather expressive. Such a plot would have anyone in the tower or killed. Well, that’s what we are to find out. Is the rumor true? If so, who? How? When and why? That’s why I summoned your presence. I need your blade sharp mind and ability to move about the ton seamlessly to begin to unravel this. Not to mention your other skills and I don’t just mean fae. I also need your alter ego to scour the lower rungs of society, to see if any clues appear there. For now we’ll check with the constabulary and see what we can find.”

Colleen set her plate down. It was rather enjoyable, before her cousin began talking. Now, it was beginning to sour in her gut. “Cousin, you want me to use my abilities to find clues to a plot you don’t even have solid proof upon? You want me to risk dressing in men’s attire and appear before the constabulary as such, while you talk to them? Pray tell me why and how I am to do that?”

Lily smiled. It could only be called evil. “Simple, dear Logan. With this collar device so wonderfully gifted me from a friend, we can modify your voice to that of any man’s. With some scent and proper attire, and not to mention your five foot seven height, you’ll make a most excellent escort.”
She had to ask, “And my face?”
That smile again, “I am so sorry about that accident you had years back, that so horribly scarred your face. Good thing you wear a mask all the time.”
Collen’s eyes slitted, before shutting in what may have been taken as defeat, “You better have more of this…treacle tart after this endeavor.
“Of course cousin. Name your flavor.” Lilly tittered.