Amelia turned several small gears on the side of the watch. Sharp metal prongs sprang out from the back of the device. “These go into your flesh and dig right into the bone. That transfers the magick.”
I tilted my head. “But if that’s a witness watch, why does it have transfer prongs?”
“It’s a legacy from when I was trying to make that into a vortex watch. The prongs don’t actually work.” Amelia slowly handed the device back to me. “After I built the witness watch, I was so excited.” Her voice didn’t sound excited in the least. “I tried to find people who’d help me use it to defeat Daddy Dearest.”
“I take it that didn’t work.”
“Clothilde’s right that I’m not the best judge of character. One group of my so-called allies merely stole my silver and ran. At least they stole the goods before I revealed anything incriminating. Others tried sending me off to a madhouse. In the end, I’m afraid that I simply locked up the laboratory and went to my room.”
And she’s been hiding out in this mansion ever since.
A tear rolled down Amelia’s cheek. I rested my hand gently on her shoulder. Touching was frowned upon among Necromancers. Still, Amelia looked so distraught, I had to make an exception. I locked my gaze with hers. “I’ll find that vortex watch and wherever that device may be, I’m sure we’ll find Ada and Veronique.” I forced my voice to take on an encouraging tone. “You said there were two estates where our friends might be kept?”
Amelia stared at her hands for what felt like an hour. Finally, she spoke once more. “The first place we’ll want to check belongs to the Havilland family.” She looked at me and winced. “They won’t let you through the door. I spent years in manners training. You’re no lady. They’ll send their Fantomes after you in a heartbeat.”
“Perhaps I can sneak in as a servant.”
“You don’t act like one of them, either. It’s no matter. I’ll go by myself and look around.” She gave me a small smile. “I can be quite sneaky when called for.”
“Absolutely not. You won’t go alone.”
“Then I’ll bring my brother.”
“No, I’ll accompany you. We’ll simply have to come up with some story of how I’m a shoestring relation. A half sibling on your father’s side, perhaps?”
Amelia began nibbling her thumbnail. “That might work.”
“Of course, it will work. Plus, I’m a fast learner.” I gave her shoulder a little squeeze. “If you want to rescue Veronique, this is how it will happen. We need to work together.” The moment the words left my mouth, I knew they were true.
“I’ll try to train you.” Amelia winced. “But I can’t make any guarantees.”
“Not to worry.” I straightened my shoulders. I could fake being Royal. After all, I learned how to be a Necromancer. How hard could it be?
“You’ll need new clothes too.”
“What’s wrong with these?” I brushed my hands over my silver dress. “I was told this was the height of fashion.”
“That’s a traveling gown. You can’t wear that to meet anyone. And that’s just to begin with.” She started counting off on her fingertips. “You’ll need luncheon shifts, dinner dresses, and at least one ball gown.”
I worked hard not to whine. “Those will take weeks to make.”
“Not with my seamstress. Besides, we’ll need time to train you up… If we can train you up, that is.” She stepped around me, looking me over with an expert eye. “A day or two might be enough. Might. You’ll still have to pass the Philippe test, just to be certain.”
“Your brother?”
“Oh, yes.” She chuckled, and I liked seeing the light in her eyes again. “He’s somewhat of an expert on how women act in Royal society.”
Just hearing the words “Royal society” made bile rise up my throat. There was no avoiding it, however. “Where do we begin?”
“First things first. Let’s work on your posture.”
Amelia might as well have offered to dip me in acid—the idea of posture training seemed that awful. But so little time remained to save Ada, Veronique, and my other Sisters. I would do whatever was necessary. “Why wait? There’s no time like the present.”
After all, only three days remained before my Sisters were good as dead and the Vicomte became a powerful Necromancer. There was no question about it. I simply had to appear Royal.
Chapter Five
I sat at the edge of a board-stiff chair in a scratchy gown and tried to look pleasant. It wasn’t easy. Amelia had dusted off some corner of the mansion for us to practice having a formal luncheon. The room was musty and dark. High above me, the arched ceiling stayed hidden in shadows. A single small window was propped open nearby. Flurries of dust motes shifted through the light.
I’d been working at it less than a day, and already I hated courtly life.
Amelia was seated across from me, her hands neatly folded in her lap. She had to be just as uncomfortable as I felt, and yet, you wouldn’t know it by her sweet smile. We’d been practicing social manners all morning. Even so, it seemed like we’d been at it for months. Unfortunately, I wasn’t improving.
And only two days remain to save Ada.