Double the Trouble (Lyra)

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha heaved a sigh of relief mentally, but outward she was the picture of composure. Sam wished she had better advice for Lyra, and perhaps part of this was her fault as well for encouraging Lyra in going after Mason, though she hadn't anticipated them hitting it off so quickly. She'd have to have a talk with Nicolas, and with Julian.

Mason was still wary, but after the evening they had he wasn't going to deny her. He led her to the carriage and held the door open for her.

[Lyra Newbury]

Lyra was relieved to have no opposition from Mason, though she knew he had plenty of questions. If she didn't provide him answers there was a good chance he would seek out Nicolas for the information, once the two had calmed down. Lyra definitely did not want Mason to hear about her and Julian's history from the twisted scope that Nicolas viewed it. She would need to talk to him soon, and it made her stomach do flips.

She avoided looking at Mason or Samantha on the carriage ride home, choosing to fiddle with her fingers and stare at her lap. She didn't know which ride had been more awkward, the one to the restaurant or the one home.