When we arrived at the gates of the academy, we found the place remarkably peaceful. For once, there did not seem to be any new damage or markings upon the outer walls, and the children within the enclosure seemed to play freely, as if they had not a care in the world. I envied them in a small way as we made our approach to the school.
There was no one present to greet us as we arrived, which I took to be a blessing in disguise. Attired and scented as we were, Mr. Benton would hardly be impressed. It would be easy to see how he would view me in a still more negative light after such an encounter, and as it was clear that I was increasingly less favored by the governor, I would have appreciated the opportunity to avoid him altogether.
In any case, Daniel was the person I wished to see. His search for the materials carried into the academy could prove just as vital as the evidence left in my apartment or the name of the factory where the villains had laired. After all, though the vandalism was more than enough to give the constabulary reason to jail the lot of them, it was obviously a cover for something far more nefarious. If the harassment of the school was ever going to end, I needed to know the depths of that mystery as well.
The guard at the gate, having grown used to my presence at the school and likely unwilling to refuse admittance to the heavily armed Patricia, opened the gate for us without much impediment. From the gate, we walked in a direct line to the little basement where Daniel’s workshop was concealed. While I was not sure that he would be present, given his work at the school and his apparent dedication to the search, I was sure that the draw of his experiments and inventions would lure him back to the spot eventually.
We descended the stairs and I raised a hand to knock on the door. When my knuckles first brushed the surface of the wood, the door suddenly flared with light. I had taken an involuntary step backwards when a cloud of sparks exploded around me. In less time than it took to draw a breath, Audrey Summervale took shape, hurtling towards me with arms outstretched.
It was difficult to tell from her expression who was more surprised, but in any case, it was obvious that I was not the intended recipient of her enthusiastic welcome. Before I could dodge to the side, Audrey struck me as if she were some miniature lioness. Overbalanced by the blow, I tumbled onto the steps behind me. The two of us hit the wooden stair with a painful thud, and dust rose all around us.
For a moment, there was silence and stillness. Then the air filled with the sound of Patricia's laughter. It was a poor salve to the bruises on my back and shoulders, but I managed an amused grunt and helped Audrey to her feet. "Ms. Summervale! I must admit I am happy to see you as well, but I would hope that a young lady would show more discretion in her greetings." When I had set her standing and was beginning to rise again, I met her eyes and blinked in surprise.
My joking rebuke had fallen on most unwilling ground. Audrey's face, expressive and open as any child's, showed signs of deep distress. It was more than my silly comment could have caused, and certainly more than her mistake could have wrung from such a vivacious youth. She glanced up and around, as if searching for someone more. "Mr. Kingsley? Did you bring Daniel back with you? Is he here?"
I frowned. A slight current of worry disturbed my mind. "I had actually expected to find him here, Ms. Summervale. When was the last time you saw him?"
The young girl began to wring her hands and shake. Her eyes were half filled with tears. "I haven't seen 'im since last night. He said he was just going out for a minute. Just a minute, and he'd be right back. He missed class, he missed lunch, he... he..." The tears were spilling now, and I found myself feeling sickened and helpless as she cried.
Patricia came to my rescue. She stooped to draw Audrey close and put her arms about the child. To my surprise, the carbine now rested against the side of the stairwell, seeming strangely forlorn. The bounty hunter's voice was gentle, a tone I had never heard before. “There there, young one, there there.”
It took several minutes to win the rest of the story from the child, but from the outset I knew what had truly happened. The coincidence between Daniel’s disappearance and the attack on my apartment was far too unlikely. Obviously the kidnappers had struck here as well, and even more frightening, they had managed to abduct the young professor without a single guard raising the alarm. It made the need to find the lair of our enemy even more urgent, for who knew how long these criminals would hold their captive hostage before disposing of him?
There was one last detail to tend to before I set out on that journey, however. I waited until Audrey had settled down, and then drew Patricia to the side. She looked angry, but still under control. While I appreciated her ability to contain her reaction, I did not envy the kidnappers once they were within her carbine’s reach. I laid a hand on her shoulder and spoke low so my voice could not carry to the girl sitting a short distance away. “Ms. Anderson, I must ask you to take her to my apartment and watch over her there. Can I rely on your help?”
Patricia bristled at the question. “What are you talking about? Those men are still after you, and if I leave you alone, they wouldn’t have that hard of a time taking you just like they took Daniel.” I tried not to feel a sting of offense at her words, but she continued in a belligerent tone, heedless of my reaction. “I don’t see why you would send me away if we are going after the professor, anyway. It’s not like I wouldn’t be a help in a fight.”
I glanced in Audrey’s direction to make sure the child was still out of earshot. “I have every confidence in your abilities, Ms. Anderson, but that is irrelevant to my request.” Patricia’s eyebrows drew together and her lips formed a thin, dangerous line, but I spoke again before she could respond. “While I might remain as a target of these thugs, there is another, more vulnerable person at whom they could strike. One who is far less capable than I, and one who would likely prove of value if they are after information.”
“Who would that be?” Patricia’s expression had settled into a mix of hostility and confusion. I looked back at Audrey meaningfully, and Patricia’s eyes widened. “Her? But what could she know? She’s just a child.”
“She is not only a child, Ms. Anderson. She is Mr. Summervale’s sister. While she might not know anything, her brother obviously does. If he should prove resistant to their questions, they may begin to seek alternative methods of persuasion.” I glanced down. “Ms. Summervale would be of great use to them, and would hardly be more difficult to capture than her brother proved to be. Changling or no, she is as you said, a child.”
She drew a breath and let it out. “So you want her guarded in case they come for her.”
I nodded. “In fact, you would be the best guardian I could choose for her. She knows you, you are extremely competent, and if necessary, you could retreat with her into hiding.” Before she could protest, I held up a hand. “If it becomes necessary, Ms. Anderson. Obviously, it would not be your first resort.”
Patricia paused. She closed her mouth, hesitation plain on her face, and then opened it again. “And where will you be while I am babysitting this girl?”
“Resolving the situation, Ms. Anderson.” Concern grew on her features, but I shook my head. “I know it is less than optimal, but circumstances have left us no choice. When you arrive, if Mr. Smithridge has discovered the location, I would appreciate it if you sent a runner to find me, either here or at the Pevensley estate.”
It was clear in every way that she did not like the plan, but after a long pause, she inclined her head. “Fine. I’ll take her, but you owe me. I mean it Hector Kingsley. You owe me!”
The ferocity of her whisper surprised me, and I could only nod in return. Her shoulders slumped slightly as some of the tension left them. Then, without another word Patricia spun on her heel and marched towards Audrey, her carbine swinging idly on her shoulder. I heard her speak as she walked, and her voice was once again unexpectedly soft. “Audrey, let’s go for a walk until your brother gets back.”
Audrey’s face grew quite nervous and pale. “Will Danny be there?”
Patricia shook her head gently. “Not yet, but he will be there soon. Mr. Kingsley will go and fetch him. That way, you can be together again.”
The Changling’s eyes locked onto me. “R—really?” She sniffed and struggled to compose herself.
Though I felt much less confident that I could achieve such an objective in the near future, I smiled. “Ms. Summervale, I could never dream of letting you down.”
The little girl nodded, and her back straightened. She looked at Patricia. “Let’s go, then. I don’t want to get there late.”
I waited while Patricia escorted the young Changling from the workshop. The little girl was no longer crying, but she sniffled quite a bit and had to swipe at her nose with her sleeves. At the same time, she remained adamant about retrieving one of Daniel’s experiments, the metallic flying wing, in case he wanted to work on it once he got to my apartment. Then I began the tedious effort of trying to track down where Daniel had been captured.
A quick examination of Daniel’s workspace showed that very little had been altered or changed. The prototypes of his work, aside from the wing, lay undisturbed on the table. There was a new addition, however. It was a plain map of the academy, as if captured from the air. Marks littered the various buildings, a litany of crosses inside of circles that half covered the page. It seemed that this was the sheet Daniel had been using to track his search. I picked up the page and ran my eyes over it. Perhaps it would give me a clue as to where I should begin my own search.
Only a few moments later, I found it. While most of the circles on the map had crosses drawn through them, one remained curiously empty. It was located near the airship landing tower, a short walk that would have taken him around the corner of the main building and across the open courtyard. If the abduction had occurred soon after he had left Audrey in his workshop, then it was likely it had happened along that short path.
I started out of Daniel’s workshop at a brisk pace, taking care to secure the door behind me. If our unknown assailants decided to ransack the shop in my absence, I did not want to leave the way clear for them to do so. As I walked the path Daniel must have taken, I paid close attention to the ground around me. While I was nothing like the tracker Patricia had become in pursuit of her bounties, I could pick out the rudimentary signs of a struggle if I stumbled across them.
My search remained fruitless for most of the length of the main building; all I collected were the occasional curious stares of the children as they played or passed by on their way to class. When I reached the corner of the wall, however, everything changed. There were the scuff marks of a short, sharp brawl. The grass was torn slightly, small tufts that showed tiny white rootlets. Then there was a pair of shallow furrows, showing where someone’s heels had dragged in the dirt.
As I bent low over these signs, I heard footsteps approaching me from behind. My hand tightened on my cane, and I straightened up immediately. Alert now for any attack, I turned and found Lord Devonshire watching me curiously. “Hector! How are you doing today?”
“L—lor—Michael, I was not aware you were here again.” I bowed, railing against my stuttering tongue. “It is an honor to meet you again, sir.”
“Oh, please, Hector, I would not stand on formality with you now. You are doing me a great service in so vigorously defending this school from its enemies.” He took a step forward, his attention caught by the signs on the ground. “What have you found here?”
I pictured the lord’s reaction to the news that one of his professors—and especially one of his favored researchers—had been captured by the very people I had been hired to thwart. Even given his current faith in me, I doubted my employment would survive the blow, let alone my reputation in the community. Certainly the newfound respect for me which Lord Devonshire had embraced would plummet horrifically, perhaps all the worse because he believed me a capable agent in his interests. To be disappointed when one has high expectations is so much worse than when one expects little at all.
Thus, with the devastation of my career and professional relationships on the line, I did the one sensible, honorable thing. I lied.
“I was merely investigating the traces the vandals may have left last night while they attacked the main building here.” The lie was plausible enough to hold up under scrutiny, but I worried Lord Devonshire would see through it like a pane of glass.
He gave no sign of suspicion, however, as he continued to study the scuffs in the grass. “Do you believe they have left tracks that you might follow, then? How interesting.” Devonshire glanced up at me, a strange smile curling his lips. “You will keep these vagabonds on their toes, Hector, and we’ll show them the rough side of justice yet.”
I shrugged uneasily. “I intend to, but I must continue my investigations before I can direct our response most effectively.” Here I hesitated, uncertain. “Have I detained you on your way to some business?”
Devonshire shook his head. “No, no, you have not, Hector. I was just on my way to ask Mr. Summervale some questions about his work. I was looking for him in the school, but was unable to find him.” He paused. “Have you been by to visit him yet today?”
“No, I’m afraid I haven’t. If I see him, however, I will direct him to meet with you at the earliest possible time.” I spoke quickly, hoping that my discomfort did not show plainly on my face. “Is there any other way in which I might be of service?”
For a moment, Devonshire simply stared at me. His gaze seemed to shift from the friendly demeanor he had so far exhibited to something sharper, deeper. He seemed calm, almost reptilian as he studied me. Then he smiled, and the change disappeared. “You’ve already been more than helpful enough, Hector. I appreciate your efforts on our behalf.” Devonshire turned to walk in the direction of Daniel’s laboratory. Over his shoulder, he waved a casual farewell. “Good hunting. Until next we meet!”
I bid him farewell in turn, still somewhat disturbed by my impressions of him. The change in demeanor had been only a brief moment, but it lingered in my memory. All the same it appeared that he had not discovered my deception. If he had, it was evident that he would not have borne such treatment; such a thing was beyond any patience in which a nobleman might indulge for a commoner. Dismissing my ill feelings as the simple after-effects of a lie well told to a man who deserved better, I turned back to the scene of Daniel’s abduction.
I discerned only a few more clues from the evidence Daniel and his attackers had left behind. First, the attack had not been extraordinarily violent. No blood stained the grass, nor did ripped fragments of clothing litter the area. Second, the attack had to have been carried out swiftly and decisively to prevent Daniel from alerting the rest of the school with his cries. Had the scene been found farther away from the main building and the dormitories, then it would have been less obvious. To find it so close to the school indicated that Daniel must have been overcome almost at once, before he could cry out.
Thirdly, the kidnappers had carried Daniel after he had been captured, for the furrows in the grass only extended a short distance before they vanished entirely. This fact indicated exceeding strength on the part of the attackers, for though thin, Daniel was still an adult man. His weight could not have been inconsiderable, especially when it came time to lift him back over the wall. My thoughts immediately turned to the golem which had assaulted my home. A second such Changeling, or perhaps the same one, had probably been present here as well.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Fourth, and last of all, Daniel had not been taken by his kidnappers within the airship tower or another enclosed area. This fact strongly indicated that the young professor had not been left within the walls. The direction he had been dragged led straight toward the outer wall, reinforcing my conclusion. I knew more signs had to be located there; after all, golems, while strong, were far from stealthy climbers.
I decided that the signs on the outer wall would be those most vulnerable and temporary. Any workmen sympathetic to the cause of these thugs might spot evidence and attempt to erase it; therefore, it was critically important for me to examine what remained before turning to the inner wall. With a brisk pace, I walked to the front gate of the academy and returned along the edge of the compound, keeping a close eye for more indications of the intruders. Unfortunately for both Daniel and myself, I found little of the signs I had been hoping for.
My search had already long since passed the probable point of exit for the intruders when I heard a carriage rattling along the cobblestones. The noise was unusual for the area. Not many workmen have funds to purchase access to such a fine vehicle, and those factory owners who did would not want to bring them to such a rough area. I turned to find the source of the sound bearing down on the gates of the academy, the wheels spinning madly along the narrow street. When I caught sight of the colors of the house of Lord Pevensley emblazoned on the side, I groaned slightly in frustration.
Knowing that it was likely Lady Pevensley, and not her more patient husband, who had decided to seek me out, I made my own decision to meet her on the street. I would thus spare the unfortunate door guard her abrasive attentions, and avoid causing a potential incident between my two clients. At the very least, I might be able to persuade her to postpone her discussion until Daniel could be found.
As I approached the entrance to the school, the carriage suddenly whirled to come directly toward me instead. Obviously the occupants had discovered me, and directed the driver to approach me. I breathed a short sigh of relief, only to have the feeling fade as the carriage drew up alongside me with an abrupt, almost reckless, stop.
The door flew open, and the impassive visage of Mr. Muire stared down at me. He spoke in an even voice that carried just the slightest hint of warning in its tone. “Mr. Kingsley. Though we did not have the opportunity to send for you or make an appointment, Lady Pevensley would appreciate the chance to discuss your investigation with her.”
I looked up at the man in some amount of surprise, wondering how he had managed to make such gracious words conform to such an outrageously demanding tone. Then I inclined my head. “Mr. Muire, I find myself unable to commit to a discussion now. If I might be able to reschedule it for tomorrow…”
I trailed off as a sharp murmur erupted from the inside. Muire hesitated for a moment as he listened, and then he lowered his head slightly. “I’m afraid that is not acceptable to Lady Pevensley, Mr. Kingsley. She has an urgent matter to discuss which absolutely demands your attention.”
There was a trickle of worry filtering through me now. “Might I ask why this arrangement is not agreeable, Mr. Muire?”
Muire met my eyes with his typical, implacable composure. “She simply wishes to make sure that her husband’s safety remains a high priority, and that she is demonstrated a proper amount of respect.” He paused as the murmur interrupted again. “If this is not the case, she will feel that you have become a disreputable agent, and that no client would do well to trust you. As such, she would feel it necessary to report your questionable actions to them. For example, that your associate, Ms. Anderson, has absconded with a student of this school not an hour past.”
The blunt presentation of this blackmail was highly distasteful; I had encountered this vice with particular frequency. Most instances could be safely circumvented or disregarded, for I usually had amassed enough information that the blackmailers feared me as much as I would them. However, in this instance, the situation was delicate. If Audrey’s absence was explained, it would give away her position in my apartment; if the disappearance of her brother was also discovered, the situation would grow even worse. Still, it irked me to bow to the wishes of so pompous an example of the peerage, and even as I answered, I had to force the words past my clenched teeth.
“In that case, I would be more than happy to accompany Lady Pevensley and explain my progress in the case. If you would be so kind as to move aside, Mr. Muire?” The bodyguard obligingly retreated into the confines of the carriage. I followed, resigning myself to a lengthy conversation with one of the last people in London with whom I desired to converse, while Daniel waited in the clutches of vandals and possible murderers. My fortune was quickly taking a very poor turn.
From the expression on her face, I could tell that Lady Pevensley was rather dissatisfied with me. I was sure there were several possible reasons for her displeasure, but I wondered which of them specifically had come to her attention.
My puzzlement came to a conclusion the same time the interminable silence ended. Lady Pevensley, her face as grim as an executioner’s, lifted one slender finger and pointed it in my direction. “Mr. Kingsley, I believe that when we last spoke, we left each other with a certain understanding.”
I inclined my head with as much politeness as I could muster. “Yes, Lady Pevensley, I believe we did.”
Her expression grew still more fierce. “You were to expend all your efforts in the discovery of the people responsible for the assault on my husband. You were not to leave any avenue or possibility uninvestigated, and you were to follow up on the conclusions I provided you with before.”
With this statement, I tilted my head to one side. “In truth, I believe we concluded that I would give my best efforts toward solving the mystery of the attack on your husband, not simply following whatever prejudices you currently hold against your brother-in-law.”
Lady Pevensley’s face darkened with rage. “My prejudices are based on fact, Mr. Kingsley, something you would do well to remember. Along with what it means to entertain a proper and healthy respect for your betters.”
With the stress of Daniel’s capture and the other many concerns surrounding me, I had little patience for her pretentious nature. “If you were not in the middle of impeding my efforts, Lady Pevensley, I would of course shower you with all the praise and adulation which your august personage most richly deserves. As the circumstances stand, however, I must take a less celebratory view of your most honorable presence. Your continual interference in my actions has only impeded my attempts to resolve this case. If you truly want the problem solved, I must ask you to respect my wishes and be patient.”
The noblewoman’s eyes flashed, and she very nearly hissed between her teeth at me. She sat back in her seat, her back straight with offense. “You merit no such considerations, Mr. Kingsley. Not when you seem to have accomplished so little over the course of your investigations.” She tapped a bundle of papers beside her, her slender finger impacting the pages as if it were a miniature hammer. “You have provided no new clues as to who perpetrated the crime, nor have you made any real progress in locating that treacherous brother-in-law of mine. I find myself quite disappointed in you.”
I raised one eyebrow. “Is that so? May I ask how you have ascertained such a plethora of information regarding my case when you have not been privy to my explanations?”
She made a dismissive gesture with one hand. “I have made sure that you were under observation, of course. Not constantly; at times it almost seemed you were aware of my agents and attempting to avoid their surveillance.” Lady Pevensley leaned forward. “Not that I needed to monitor you all that closely to find evidence of your appalling lack of care. That scandal in the servants’ quarters was so blatant, I am surprised they are not talking of it in Paris as we speak!”
“I am sure the Parisians have much more pressing matters to discuss, Lady Pevensley.” My response did little to assuage the anger in Lady Pevensley’s expression, and her lips twisted into a vicious snarl.
“You need not be so flippant about the situation, Mr. Kingsley. If you do not hold to your end of our bargain, I will make sure your life becomes very, very difficult. Your bounty hunter friend? She has enemies, enemies who would very much like to know where she lives. That’s why she changes locations so frequently, you know. I am sure that, were I not careful, the address of her new apartment might slip into the wrong ears at the wrong time.” Lady Pevensley smiled, a horrible sight. “Wouldn’t that be tragic, Mr. Kingsley?”
“Perhaps for any poor fool stupid enough to assault her.” I shrugged, though the very thought of such a threat had stirred my temper greatly. “Patricia Anderson is more than capable of defending herself, and I have no doubt that her constant travels are the cause of her movements rather than any fear of retaliation for her work.” With an effort, I kept my voice even, and I met her eyes steadily. “Also, I must tell you, Lady Pevensley, that I do not take kindly to threats. Make such an offensive statement again, or convince me in any way that you are a credible danger to Ms. Anderson’s life, and I will not crumble into petty servitude. You will not reduce me to a fearful, groveling slave with such things, nor will I make such futile gestures as resorting to the constabulary to protect her.” I tapped one finger on the end of my cane. “I will simply kill you and have done with it. Do you understand?”
My words had slowly stolen the smile from Lady Pevensley’s face, and by the time I finished, her skin had gone quite pale. Muire, always alert though as impassive as ever, now had his hand on his pistol grip. A tension had filled the atmosphere of the carriage, as real and as thick as the air before a summer storm. It crackled between us for a moment, and then I offered them a simple smile.
“Now then, since we are mutually understood, allow me to explain some aspects of the case. What, in particular, has created doubts in your mind Lady Pevensley?”
The tension dissolved slowly. Lady Pevensley shifted slightly in her seat, as if she had felt life returning to her limbs after they had fallen asleep. She tapped the papers again uncertainly. “The only incidents my agents have discovered in your recent exploits which could possibly relate to my husband’s safety are the commotion within the servants’ quarters and the subscription you made at the offices at the Gearshift Daily.” She selected a portion of the periodical, revealing the present issue of it. With hands that only trembled barely, Lady Pevensley leafed through the pages of the thin magazine as if searching for something.
“The intent of the first incident was obviously an attempt to discover something about the bomber themselves, an attempt that just as obviously ended in complete failure. Mr. Muire has already informed me of the details.” At this statement, I glanced at Mr. Muire. I found him watching me still, his hand gripping his pistol and his expression as blank as a fortress wall.
Lady Pevensley continued, her composure and anger returning by measures. “As fruitless an effort as that was, I could appreciate the honest intent behind it. I cannot imagine what induced you to purchase the following message in the grief columns, however.” With a certain, vindictive motion, she tossed the paper toward me. I caught it easily.
Among the many messages inscribed in the columns, one had been circled with a fine pen. It read: “R. What light through yonder window breaks? Our balcony remains secure. J.”
I smiled. “This message is actually an effort to draw out some of the possible witnesses to the crime, or possibly even the assassin himself.”
Her eyes sharpened at this comment. “What does it mean?”
With an exaggerated expression of dismay, I shook my head. “I am afraid I cannot confide that information in you, my lady. You will need to wait until I have completed my investigations before you can be made privy to such details.”
Lady Pevensley drew herself up to her full height, her back straight and posture regal. “Do you imply that I am not trustworthy, Mr. Kingsley?”
“I do not. I merely note that you do have a tendency to be hasty, and that such a tactic in this case may be to the detriment of your husband’s health.” I did not mention the possibility that she herself was guilty of the crime. Such an admission of my suspicions concerning her obstructive behavior would hardly be appropriate under the circumstances.
Still, even my abbreviated and diplomatic approach to my reasoning did not seem to have smoothed over her irritation with me. Her lips pressed together in a thin line, and she stared at me with barely veiled hatred. “You only regard me as hasty, Mr. Kingsley, because I strive to accomplish something soon rather than ten weeks down the line. Perhaps you should motivate yourself to follow my example, lest your lack of haste create even greater troubles for you than the disturbance of last night.” I struggled to avoid a groan of impatience at her clumsy threat, but it was to be expected that at the very least, she would not press me further on the subject. For that much, I was truly grateful.
Unfortunately, my relief was slightly premature. After another moment’s study, Lady Pevensley smiled at me again. This time, there was an attempt at warmth in the expression, as if infected by some misguided hope to seem friendly. “Mr. Kingsley, we do not need to resort to idle threats, do we? I would only like to assure you that we have the same goals in mind. Perhaps some sort of compromise might be reached in this whole affair?”
I remained silent, meeting her eyes as the moment stretched. As she must have seen, there was no hint of a change in my perspective of the situation, and there was not likely to be one in the future. Even if this noblewoman remained innocent of the crime, I would not care to associate with her any longer than it would take to exit her presence. More particularly, I would not have liked to encourage the presumption that we might “work together” on anything at all, lest she remember me later and search me out for some reason or another.
Finally, she sighed and slumped back into her seat. There was a certain kind of exhaustion in her expression now, and bitterness filled her stare. “Very well. I can see that the stubborn pride of the common folk remains undiminished by modern progress. You are a very wonderful example of that trait, Mr. Kingsley, at the very least.”
Amusement bubbled through me, and I quirked my lips into a caustic little smile. “Why, thank you, Lady Pevensley. May I say that you are an equally unforgettable specimen of the nobility. A reminder of their most revealing aspects, if I may be so bold.” Her eyes narrowed, and she gestured to Muire.
“Let the driver know that our interview with Mr. Kingsley is now finished. He can be delivered to where he belongs, and we will return to the estate.” Muire nodded. All this time, his hand had not left the vicinity of the pistol, and it was with obvious reluctance that he took his attention from me to lean out and call to the driver. I contemplated making some sudden move simply to startle the man, but I decided that any such course would be worse than foolish with his finger so close to the trigger.
The remainder of the drive was clothed in chilly silence. We passed building after building, though I paid little attention for the most part. All I wanted was to return to the academy and continue to ferret out the clues surrounding Daniel’s disappearance. Any other concern was remarkably unimportant to me and quickly faded into the background.
Thus, when the buildings we passed began to look terribly familiar, I barely noticed. It was only when I glanced out the window and found the grocer where I normally secured my small amount of food each week that I was roused out of my pondering meditation. “One moment, this area is not where you collected me! You are taking me back to my apartment!”
Lady Pevensley glanced idly out the window, her face elaborately casual. “Why, yes, I do believe you are correct, Mr. Kingsley. Perhaps our driver made a mistake in assuming that you wished to return directly home rather than to that beastly little school.”
I nearly ground my teeth in frustration. “Take me back to the academy. I have work to do there.”
“You have work here, Mr. Kingsley. Or have you forgotten?” There was yet another smile on Lady Pevensley’s face now, though this one had little to do with false friendliness. Outside, the passing buildings seemed to slow as the carriage came to a stop outside my apartment door. “Now if you will excuse me, I have several pressing engagements.”
Muire swung open the door to the carriage, but for the moment, I remained where I was. My temper was churning within me at the obvious disregard and deliberate offense the lady had offered me. I considered the possibility of simply refusing to move and demanding to be returned to the school, but more reasonable feelings quickly won out. Fighting on such immature terms would be counterproductive, and would likely gain little in the end. Besides, it would do me some good to make sure Patricia had arrived safely with Daniel’s sister, and to check on the progress Benjamin had made.
My decision allowed me to make my exit without the stiff, offended posture that would have given away my frustration. I nodded politely to Muire as I stepped down, gave an equally polite nod to the lady in the carriage, and then turned to the door. As I stepped forward, I heard Lady Pevensley call out to me one last time. “Mr. Kingsley, I do believe you have forgotten something.”
I turned back to find her gesturing in my direction with the copy of Gearshift Daily. It was obvious she had no use for such a thing and considered it beneath her to carry it in her carriage any longer. She had made an error, however. As willing as I was to endure such foolish insults to my character for the sake of my investigations, I was no one’s garbage boy.
With a sweeping bow, I shook my head. “I meant it as a gift, Lady Pevensley. A token of our relationship that you might use to indulge your curiosity until next we meet.” The false propriety in my tone was as clear as it was bitter, and her expression soured. She threw the paper down on the seat next to her, and Muire was forced to move it aside to sit down. Without further words, the door to the carriage closed and the vehicle moved on, leaving me standing in its wake as if I were some form of refuse.
A final sigh of relief at my freedom welled up in me, and I released it as I turned to my door. At least I would not have to endure such nonsense from her much longer.
As I stepped up to the door to knock, it swung open to reveal Patricia, her carbine on her shoulder. She nearly ran into me before she came to a sudden, surprised halt. “Hector? I was just coming to get you. How did you get here so fast?”
I frowned slightly. There would be little benefit in discussing my interview with Lady Pevensley. Instead, I focused on the matter at hand. “Why were you looking for me? I thought you were going to stay with Ms. Summervale.”
Patricia gave me a belligerent look. “Audrey and Francis made fast friends. Benjamin likes her too, and they have promised to look after her until we get back.” She paused. “Between the two of them, she should be more than safe enough until then.”
My frown deepened. “Until we get back? Where are we going, and why are you letting Benjamin be distracted with such matters? He needs to focus on the task at hand so we can locate Mr. Summervale.”
A bright, dangerous grin spread across Patricia’s face. “He already has, Hector. We’ve found the factory, and I’m going there right now to collect our wayward professor.” She tilted her head to the side. “Coming?”