In the latter half of the Lady of the Long Night's Salon, the auction officially began.
The guests smiled as they headed toward a side hall.
Not everyone qualified to participate in the auction. Malinda had cleverly set a threshold that seemed utterly unattainable to commoners, yet within reach of the guests present if they made an effort.
Some guests who did not qualify left, while others remained at the salon, holding wineglasses and chatting with friends, or engaging in intimate conversation with ladies they had just met.
Only the necessary number of attendants remained in the main hall, and the lights were dimmed to help those gentlemen and ladies open their hearts to one another.
The musicians collected their pay and left alongside the departing guests.
Carriage after carriage drove away from Whitebird Street.
After making a few necessary changes to their appearances, Edwin and Arthur took separate carriages and slipped among the departing guests.
Both tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, but their efforts meant little to professionals. When their carriages left 6 Whitebird Street one after the other, several carriages immediately followed.
Sitting in the leading carriage, Edwin loaded a flintlock while watching their pursuers-these people were no fools.
They would not attack in the Whitebird District.
At the very least, they would wait until they had left Fountain Square.
Shaded Lane, or Garden Street farther along, would make good choices.
The bend where Shaded Lane turned onto Garden Street was especially suitable.
As Edwin considered the places those men might choose, he picked up another flintlock and continued loading.
Four flintlocks lay on the seats beside and opposite him. Counting the one in his hand, that made five.
Knowing full well that a fierce battle lay ahead, Edwin understood that once the fighting began, he