221.Chapter 221

That first night at the Kensington residence, Lyra slept deeply. There was no rattling air conditioner or creeping drafts—just perfect stillness. When she finally stirred the next morning, sunlight told her it was nearly ten before she wandered downstairs.

Downstairs, Miriam was trimming her potted plants while Wallace lounged in his favorite chair, sipping tea and peering at the newspaper through