“No. I wanted a job. Just as all the greasers and sooties did.”
“Do I not pay you well enough? Are you threatening a lockout?” Rue pressed. Am I ignoring my people, not being a proper caretaker? “Mr Lefoux should have said something!”
Quesnel stepped in. “Nothing like that, Lady Captain. Aggie here is a rabid member of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. She’s fixated on you as the ideal representation of all that is wrong with the idle aristocracy.”
Rue was further confused. “I’m an idle aristocrat? Oh dear.”
Aggie was not mollified. “You and your mother. Frittering away your position in society without any attempt to effect change.”
“I have a position that can effect change?” Rue supposed Aggie’s wrath didn’t extend to Paw because his work with BUR was publicly known. Or perhaps it wasn’t done to verbally abuse a man in a state of preservation. “What kind of change?”
“Useless, utterly useless.” Aggie cast her hands up to the heavens and stormed away.
Rue turned to Quesnel. “Am I really that horrible?”
“Of course not. Perhaps I made a mistake in keeping Aggie on when she dislikes you so.”
“It’s most aggravating. I wouldn’t mind if I’d done something to earn such ire, but I’m sure we never met before she came aboard. I’ve been perfectly civil to her since. I know I’m not the best captain, but I did think I was making some improvement.”
“Chérie, you’re doing fine. Don’t take anything Aggie says seriously. She’s still here after all. If she really hated it, she’d leave.”
“Am I too enthusiastic and incautious?” Rue rubbed her gloved hands together as Quesnel steered her towards the spiral staircase with one hand to her elbow.
“I happen to adore your enthusiasm.”
“But is it a valuable trait in a leader?”
“Stop worrying. Aggie’s prejudiced. She doesn’t like your mother either.”
“I understand people not liking my mother. She’s impossible. But I thought I was easier to suit.”
“You’re amiable, chérie. Aggie likely finds your charm suspicious.”
“I have charm? She won’t be mean to Primrose, will she? Prim couldn’t take it. She’s not equipped to accommodate verbal abuse from rampaging freckles.”
“Fortunately, Primrose never visits the boiler room.”
“I shall try to keep it that way. Aggie could destroy her with a single barb.”
Quesnel sighed. “She resents your position in society.”
“What position? Circus freak?”
“Pardon me?” Quesnel was actually shocked.
Rue shook her head. Despite her vaunted carefree nature, Aggie’s hostility stung. “You mean to say, you never wonder why I remain unmarried?”
Quesnel was taken aback. “No.”
“Metanatural,” Rue explained succinctly.
“What has that to do with it?”
“Good old Rue, fun for a laugh, but who would want to marry that? No idea what kind of creature she might birth, or become herself. Bad bet. Not even human.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. No one thinks…”
“Oh, yes, they do. It’s fine. I’ve made my peace with it. And, yes, I have powerful parents, but most of the time that’s a hindrance. Who’d want to marry into either household without ulterior motive? How do I trust any offer as genuine? I’m defined by my supernatural relationships.”
“And me, where do I fit in?”
“It’s not like you want to marry me. Oh, don’t look so upset. I’m not fishing for an address. I’m only pointing out that who I am is tempered by what I am in the eyes of society. I’m liminal to the aristocracy, just as I’m liminal to the supernatural set. Not quite a member, not quite on the outside either.”
Quesnel cocked his head. “Is that why you like captaining a dirigible so much? It’s your place?”
“Although now it seems I’m not good at it.”
“What did I say? Ignore Aggie. She’s bitter. That’s her personality flaw, not yours.”
“You’re sweet to comfort me.” Rue patted Quesnel as they emerged into the hall of the midship level.
Quesnel lowered his voice. “I would, you know.”
“Mmm?”
“Marry you.”
Rue kissed his cheek absentmindedly. “Chivalrous, darling, but we both know you don’t really mean it.”
With which Rue drifted towards her private chambers.
She gasped when he caught her hand and pulled her into his arms. The mid-level hallway was empty, thank goodness. Rue smiled against the sweet insistence of his mouth. Such a nice boy, trying to make me feel better. It worked. His kisses were distracting – a soothing balm to her wounded feelings. There seemed a desperate intent behind them, as though he were trying to make her understand something. Her own worth, perhaps? His hands were firm against her waist. He also had learned much during their French lessons – what she liked, how she preferred to be touched.
He leaned back against the wall, pulled her against him, braced and eager.