“It wasn’t our fault,” defended Dimity instantly.
Agatha nodded. She lowered her head, trying to hide her face under her bonnet. Sidheag was characteristically nonchalant. Sophronia could almost hear the taller girl’s thoughts: So we weren’t talking to Sophronia and now we are? Ho hum.
Dimity burbled, trying to explain. “You see, we were each taken aside individually, after our exams, and made to promise to ostracize whichever girl had the highest marks.”
Agatha whispered, “We all thought it would be Monique.”
Sidheag added, “She had taken the test before and had four more years training.”
“Exactly,” jumped in Dimity. “That’s what I thought, too. Lady Linette told each of us that this was the second half of our exam. That if we didn’t do as instructed our official records would be marked incomplete.”
“She said they’d send me down if I didn’t obey.” Agatha looked tortured. “I tried to keep Dimity in line, too.”
Dimity nodded. “Our continued presence at the school depended upon us not speaking to you.”
“Now we’ll probably all be dismissed,” said Sidheag brightly.
“Better than being disloyal! Besides, you two didn’t renege, I did.” Dimity had all the conviction of one who has taken uncertain action and now must justify the consequences. She fiddled with the glittery ruby-and-gold broach at her throat—paste and gilt, of course.
Sophronia chewed her lip. “What if I admitted you were with me last year for the record room breakin? What if they knew how well you did then? Do you think that would count in your favor?”
Dimity was skeptical. “You would have to confess to something that we got away with. And pinned on Monique. They might count an admission against both of us.”
“It’s all so convoluted,” said Sidheag, exasperated.
“It always is.” Agatha was philosophically despondent.
“I hated to do it,” admitted Dimity. “Well, right up until you scared off Dingleproops.”
“It wasn’t him, Dimity. Please believe me. I don’t know who it was or why they set you up, but it wasn’t him, I promise you that.”
Dimity looked nonplussed. “He said as much, but I thought I’d been the butt of some cruel joke. Who was it, then?”
Preshea came bustling up. “If you ladies are quite finished? Sister Mattie wants to know why you aren’t in class.”
The girls glanced around. The hallway was empty except for them.
Preshea said to Dimity, “I see you broke your word to Lady Linette.”
Dimity huffed. “It was going too far. We were going too far.”
“Far is where they will throw you.” Preshea turned away.
“I’ll take that over being mean to a friend,” said Dimity staunchly to the girl’s retreating back. “Not that you would ever understand that, Preshea.”
Sophronia let out a small breath of relief. She hadn’t realized until that moment how unhappy she’d been without Dimity’s friendship. She thought she’d been rattling along fine on her own, but now she noticed the knots in her stomach releasing and the undeniable sensation of wanting to cry from relief.
Sophronia’s little band had reunited just in time. Monique’s promises of ball invitations were causing social mayhem. Snide comments and sharp elbows abounded. It was all much easier to endure now that the four of them were together again. They heard nothing from the teachers as to the repercussions of Dimity’s staunch decision, and they avoided speculating on that, at least. Everything else was fair game.
Sophronia brought them up to speed on some of her private investigations.
Sidheag put it together without frills, as her werewolf-trained mind was prone. “I’ve been wondering about this. Captain Niall said the vampires might be involved with Giffard’s flight? Why?”
Sophronia said, “If Professor Braithwope can tether to an airship, so could other roves.”