I had grand plans of fanbinding Amanuensis as a birthday gift, but it was more important to finish that story well than to do it on a timeline, so that present will have to be for some other day. Meanwhile, I'd already asked my sister if she could make some proper period-adjacent cover art for the story.

So happiest of birthdays, Ash, and everyone else, I hope you enjoy this cheeky cover for a story I'm very fond of!

Bering and Wells do a bit of investigating. Do they like what they find, @anandabrat?

So, I got covid and all my deadlines went straight to hell and this chapter needed more than I could initially give it, but here and now may I present you:

Myka's Oxford

"Your tour is special, Christina. Are you all right to go with Miss Donovan by yourself?"

Christina nods.

"Good. Your mum and I have some important research to do for her book this afternoon."

Helena leans in as they turn a corner. "Do we?"

Myka tries to master her grin. "Yes. So don't get any ideas."

In which Myka has to figure out a way to survive a night sat across the table from Helena AGAIN while a certain author makes everyone angry. Is it the chapter you've been waiting for, @starshipblueberry?

"What'll you have, Mrs Wells?"

“Well, in that case, an American Beauty, please, Davey."

He winks at Helena. "Don't you have that already, my love?"

“All right.” Myka says, turning away. “You're worse than she is. I'm leaving the cash on the bar.”

Davey smirks at Helena. "Stick with these high rolling Americans, is what I say."

In which @anandabrat offers us Helena's reflection on furniture, closed doors, and curtains. That is to say, are Myka and Helena going to be able to keep their hands to themselves long enough to get any *work* done?

The Caravan club is great, but Myka has an idea for where they can go for even more privacy...

Helena has not asked her where they are going, but she must be curious. Would it have been safer to just stay at the Caravan, to tuck in to a corner and speak quietly and steal kisses for the evening? But Myka remembers her time in Paris. She knows that the Caravan is only safe as long as the police leave it alone. Helena has a child and cannot take the risk of getting caught in a raid. And Myka doesn’t want to steal kisses. She has been wondering for months now, and now she knows.

Myka at work, definitely not thinking of Helena.

OR

"I don't see why you can't just reschedule with her!"

Myka hits the lever and sends the carriage back to the beginning of the row. "Because she is my employer too. She pays me just as you do and we agreed to a schedule. A schedule I told you about last week.”

“But you moved Nesbitt last month without a problem! Surely she does not pay you nearly so well as he does.”