“I shouldn’t let it worry you, Mr. Soap. She’s only practicing.”
Sophronia looked away from Felix. “And he’s only playacting. Training to be a rake and toying with my poor, weak heart.” But even as she said it, she was forced to face up to the fact that this was probably a lie. Felix was interested in courting her. He’d made no illusions otherwise. And so, unfortunately, was Soap. What a pickle. Maybe if I ignore their overtures, the messiness will go away?
“Oh, now, Ria, you malign me. I’m as honest as a rose garden is beautiful.”
“And as full of dung,” replied Sophronia without missing a beat.
Dimity said appreciatively, “Such language.”
Soap was looking equal parts impressed and disturbed by this banter. He added, “Aside which, don’t you know, Lord Mersey, Miss Sophronia doesn’t have a heart?”
Sophronia didn’t show it, but the remark stung. She was very fond of Soap. She didn’t want him to think her cold. She said to Felix, “My lord, how did you follow me?”
Felix didn’t answer, which was reason enough to be wary. He’s only an evil genius in training. He shouldn’t be able to track me, a prospective intelligencer.
“I need to know, my lord. It could cost me my life some day.”
Vieve stepped out of the shadows. “My fault again, I’m afraid,” she said, looking cheeky. “I told him how to climb and where to go, then left the climbing and the going to him.”
“Goodness, why?”
“He’s going to put a word in with the headmaster of Bunson’s for me.”
“What?” Sophronia was confused.
“Young Master Lefoux and I have struck a bargain,” said Felix. “I’ll campaign for his admittance to Bunson’s, and he’d tell me were you went each evening.”
Sophronia digested the fact that Felix, evidently, didn’t know that Vieve was female. She contemplated revealing this to him out of spite, but Vieve must have good reason for betraying Sophronia’s whereabouts. It was best to keep information as ammunition for when it might become useful and not squander it on revenge. And, in the end, there was no real harm done in Felix following her.
One question did remain. “How did you know I went anywhere of an evening?”
“I might have seen you leave your chambers late one night.”
“You know where my chambers are?” Sophronia was shocked. A girl’s boudoir was sacred!
Felix issued her a crooked smile. “I’ve never seen the engine room of a floating school before.”
“I see. Well, thank you, Vieve.”
Vieve tried to explain. “I can’t lark about here forever. I’ve been thinking Bunson’s is a better place for me.”
Sophronia handed her traitorous friend back the mini-prototype. “Guidance valve,” she mouthed.
Vieve nodded, indicating she’d heard the name.
“What about Professor Shrimpdittle?” Sophronia was alluding to the fact that, as an old acquaintance of Professor Lefoux’s, Shrimpdittle knew Vieve’s true gender.
“I haven’t figured that out yet. May need your help to reassign him.”
“Oh? And here you betrayed me this very evening to both Dimity and Lord Mersey.”
Dimity took offense at being lumped together with a boy. “Wait a moment!”
Felix watched the exchange with amused eyes.
Vieve had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Yes, well, I thought we might come to an arrangement. If I leave for Bunson’s, I won’t need the obstructor anymore, will I?”
Vieve had found Sophronia’s weakness. “Fine, you rat, I’ll put some thought into a discrediting action.” Sophronia’s mind was already contemplating how one might get a professor dismissed from an evil genius training school.
Vieve spat on her hand and offered it to Sophronia. “Done!”
Sophronia sighed and shook it. Luckily she was wearing her black cotton spare gloves, the ones dedicated to visiting sooties.
“I think that’s enough excitement for one evening. Shall we head out?”
Soap said, “So soon?”