Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews, I'm so glad you guys like my story! Here is the second installment, which, honestly, was quite difficult. I wrote (swear to god) four different versions of this. It's kind of a segway into what's coming up, so it took me a bit to get it right. I'm still not sure if I'm entirely satisfied with it. Anyways, please read and review - I love to know what you think!

As soon as Simon's carriage disappears around the corner, I race to find Kartik. I glance fearfully up and down the narrow alley between the house and stable – expecting to find a cloaked assailant awaiting me – and dash across quickly. The light is fading, and I know Tom and Grandmama will be returning soon.

I find Kartik by the carriage, brushing down one of the horses. He seems alarmed when he sees me. "Miss Doyle," he says quickly, stepping toward me urgently.

"Mr. Kartik," I greet him politely for the benefit of the other stable hands. "Mr. Doyle would like to see you to discuss your wages," I lie easily. Kartik nods, knowing full well that I'm lying, and follows me out of the stable. I lead him to a small alcove on the side of the house, where we can be seen from neither the house nor the stable.

Before I can speak, Kartik asks, "Did you get my note? I sent it with Emily." I cannot help but purse my lips at the mention of her name. She is a beautiful girl, and I can only resent her for it. I often wonder what it would take for Kartik to see me in the same light as he sees her.

"No, I received no note – though I did just receive a visit from Simon Middleton."

Kartik's eyes widen. "Are you quite alright?"

He already knows. That saves me a good few minutes of explanation. "Yes, he asked me to speak privately with him – to ride in his carriage… alone."

Kartik looks fit to be tied. "Alone? Without an escort?!"

"I do believe that would be the meaning of 'alone,'" I reply calmly, thoroughly enjoying his distress.

"You didn't go with him?" Kartik demands incredulously.

"Well, actually…"

"Gemma Doyle!" he cries angrily, in perfect imitation of Tom when he's confounded by me. "Are you out of your mind? Shall I call your brother to take you to his madhouse?! What were you –"

"Nothing happened!" I insist, my temper flaring and flattery long forgotten.

"Well some very well could have happened, you know!"

"But nothing did," I snap irritably.

"Which is a bloody wonder, considering Simon Middleton is now a member of the Rakshana!" Kartik growled, his hands clenched into fists. "You absolute fool," he steamed. "He could have killed you – or worse!"

"They wouldn't kill me – I'm the only one who can get into the realms."

"You don't know that. You remember Nell Hawkins. She was wanted as well, and she drove herself mad to keep safe." The reminder is like a knife in my side. I lean dizzily against the wall, realization of what could've happened finally hitting me. Kartik ignores my shaking hands and pale face, carrying on about my foolishness.

"I know!" I hiss suddenly, interrupting his tirade. "I didn't find you so I could be harangued. Tell me what I should do."

Kartik glares at me, still fuming. "First," he answers tersely, "You should sever all acquaintance with Mr. Middleton."

"Impossible. Grandmother would be beside herself if she knew that he had come calling again, and she is certain to find out from one of the servants."

"Offend his family, fake pneumonia, go into hiding – I don't care. They are using Simon as their liaison, just as…" He trails off.

"Just as they used you," I finish for him.

"If I had not failed them, I would've been bound for a much greater destiny. Simon will be desperate to prove himself, so that he might rise in the ranks. I can't imagine the viscount's son takes well to being a mere lackey."

"Did it suit you?" I ask, suddenly curious over why Kartik saw fit to leave everything he had ever known. Was it for me? Or did he suddenly develop a conscience, perhaps?

"Did what suit me?"

"Being the lackey."

"Of course not. I just told you, had I succeeded with you, I would've become much more." He does not understand where my line of questioning is going. Instead, he looks irritated that I have changed the subject from the matter at hand. Still, I persist.

"Then why did you give it all up? Years of service to this brotherhood, gone in a moment… why?"

His brow furrows as he regards me silently. "I just did," he answers noncommittally, running a hand through his dark curls.

I sigh, and push away from the wall. "Alright then," I say rigidly. "I'll just go, then." I stride past him in a huff.

"Gemma, wait." Kartik catches me by the arm, dragging me back easily.

"Excuse me, that hurts," I snap, wrenching my arm out of his grasp.

"What's wrong with you?" he asks, bewildered. "I'm on your side – why are you angry with me?"

"I'm not angry," I deny, crossing my arms primly. Kartik rolls his eyes.

"What do you want me to say? That I left the Rakshana because I had an epiphany from God telling me that I must join the forces of good?" His sarcasm only exacerbates my irritation.

No, you incompetent clod, I want you to say it was for me. Are you completely oblivious? "No," I snort. "I hardly expect you to turn Christian on me after all I've seen."

"You've become so jaded," Kartik sighs wistfully. "You used to be… naïve."

"I was not!" I scowl.

"Don't be offended. I liked it." He looks away, a slight flush to his cheeks. "I felt like you needed me, even if we weren't on the friendliest terms."

I'm flushing as well. Kartik is hardly one to bare his soul. Hearing him express such a basic vulnerability as wanting to be needed is a revelation to me. "Well," I say cautiously, "I suppose I did need you." The blush in my cheeks heightens. "I didn't know anything about the realms," I admit. "But that doesn't make me naïve!" I add quickly.

"No, I suppose not." Kartik leans close to me, his eyes hooded as he looks at me.

I look up to him, surprised. We are only inches apart, and I am intensely aware of the heat of his body. His eyes search mine, and I can only think that if he'd bend down, just a bit, we could…

The sound of Tom's voice startles us both. He has pulled up to the front of the house in a hansom cab. "There you are," he says, paying the driver.

Kartik pushes me away from him. "Get back in the house," he says quickly. We both bolt in opposite directions.

I rush around the back of the house, entering through the kitchen. Emily is there, talking to the cook. They both silence as I pass through.

I pause, smiling awkwardly. "Emily, Mr. Kartik has told me that you are learning to read from him."

Emily blanches, her lovely face frozen in an emotionless stare. "Yes, but always after all my work's been done," she says in a rush. "I don't neglect my duties."

"Of course," I say quickly, trying to reassure her. How does father get on so easily with the servants? They're like frightened mice around me. "I just thought you might like to read something other than The Odyssey. I've several of Miss Austen's books and many others. You might like them more."

Emily smiles incredulously. "Oh, that would be a treat," she agrees gratefully.

"Alright then," I say, more confidently. "I will fetch one that I'm sure you'll enjoy." There now, it's not hard at all to get on with the servants.

Emily and the cook bob quick curtsies as I leave the kitchen. I round the corner for the stairs, only to crash into Tom as he's coming down.

"Mind yourself, Gemma," he sighs, exasperated. I brush past him, dashing up the stairs as quickly as I can in a corset.

"Oh, Gemma. I met Simon Middleton at the club today – he's invited us for dinner with his family. Do tell Grandmama if you see her."

Ooooh... of course I had to have Kartik in this. And what's the use of having Kartik if Gemma can't be all frustrated in love and whatnot? For the sake of simplicity, I'm pretending that Gemma's father rehired him (much to Tom's displeasure). Let me know what you think!