Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(25)

“I’ll see you there,” I said. Once the cab was moving, I leaned back in my seat with a sigh. I wasn’t sure what we’d accomplished tonight, but I still felt like our circumstances had changed significantly.





Chapter Seven


In Which

I Take to the Skies




I wish I could have been there when Henry told the governor that he was not only letting the children go on the trip, he was also joining them, but Henry went to the governor’s office for that conversation, and there was no reason for me to join him. Instead, I went about my usual weekday routine on Monday. Henry hadn’t yet returned from his meeting with the governor when I went alone to retrieve Rollo from school while the girls began their music lessons. I was just in time to see a swarm of boys in school uniforms come rushing down the front steps of the school.

Rollo was with a group of friends, and when he glanced my way he didn’t acknowledge me. I was familiar with the ritual and didn’t acknowledge him, either. I began walking slowly in the direction of home, and once I’d rounded the corner, he joined me. I knew it made things easier for him at school if it wasn’t obvious that the governess was walking him home, even if every other boy in the school was also chaperoned. I couldn’t be quite as discreet when Olive was with me because she’d jump up and down, waving her arms and calling his name. I was never quite sure whether she was blissfully unaware of how badly that embarrassed her brother or knew exactly what she was doing and managed to look innocent.

Usually, this little game didn’t bother me because I understood it. I’d been educated at home, so I’d never been in a similar situation, but I could still sympathize. Today, though, I was on edge and took it out on Rollo. “It’s so nice of you to deign to join me on my afternoon walk, Rollo,” I said, probably more sharply than I should have.

“Thanks so much for being understanding, Miss Newton. I don’t know why Uncle Henry can’t send a footman after me. That’s what everyone else does. I’m too old to have a governess. Some of the other fellows tease me about having a nanny.”

I immediately felt bad for my short temper. He didn’t seem to have noticed my sarcasm, though, for he kept up a steady stream of chatter worthy of Olive, albeit on different subjects. Most of it washed over me while I thought about our upcoming journey, but then the words, “and since the troops are leaving, that should mean the Hercules will be back to get them. Do you think Grandfather can get me on board for a tour this time? I mean, if we’re not off on our trip then,” registered on my consciousness.

“The troops are leaving? Where did you hear that?”

“Some of the guys in my class said they saw it in the newspaper.” I read the official newspaper more frequently than I did the paper I wrote for, and nothing had yet been said about troops leaving. Which meant some of his classmates were reading the underground newspaper. I couldn’t think of a reason his governess would ask him precisely which classmate had mentioned the news, but I thought it might help Henry’s efforts if he knew of a potential sympathizer. I made a mental note to mention it. He’d have more of a reason to sound Rollo out about his friends.

“Talk to your uncle. He might be able to persuade your grandfather,” I said.

“I guess since they stopped the revolution, they don’t need so many soldiers here anymore.”

“Mmm hmm,” I said, acknowledging him without comment, even though I wanted to say that the revolution was only just beginning.

“It’s a real shame the machines disappeared, though,” he continued. “I never did get to see a steam engine up close.”

I had to bite the inside of my lip to keep from smiling. He would envy me if he knew how well-acquainted I was with steam engines.

“Uncle Henry will be pleased that I made the top score on my math exam. Hey, maybe he should tell Grandfather I need to tour an airship as a reward.”

“That sounds perfectly reasonable to me,” I said. “I will suggest it. But how is your writing coming along?”

He kicked at a rock on the sidewalk. “Maybe not as good. But I’m getting better. The teacher said I’m almost achieving coherence.”

I had to laugh. Rollo wrote the way he talked, in a rush of enthusiasm, jumping from one topic to the next. We’d been working on organizing his thoughts in written communication, and I’d made him practice his penmanship. “It’s good to hear my efforts are yielding some fruit.”

“Yeah, I’m glad you’re with us, Miss Newton.”

He didn’t seem to have realized how much he’d touched me, but my eyes stung slightly, and I felt a lump in my throat. I wasn’t entirely sure I was qualified for the job I had. I felt like I’d bluffed my way into it. I had the knowledge, but no real experience in this kind of work, and Henry had mostly hired me because I’d challenged him during a train robbery and he wanted to keep an eye on me as a witness to his crime. So it was good to hear that I was accomplishing something aside from espionage.

When we reached the mansion, I could hear Olive carefully picking out scales on the piano. Although she was an accomplished student, she was an indifferent musician who saw it as a chore, while her sister was an accomplished musician and an indifferent student. “It sounds like I have a few minutes until I must serve my time,” Rollo said with a sigh. Henry forced him to learn piano, as well, and only managed to get him to tolerate it by telling him that music was essentially mathematics.