Rebel Magisters (Rebel Mechanics #2)(44)

I found Henry waiting for me in the hallway outside the schoolroom. “The governor must know what happened,” I whispered.

“Yes, and I’m trying to decide if I should brave the bear in his den to ask about that or if I should ignore it. What would I do if I were entirely innocent?”

“I believe that the Lord Henry who studies insects would be curious enough to ask questions. It would seem uncharacteristic of you to ignore it.”

He grimaced and sighed. “I suppose you’re right. If I encounter him, I’ll have to ask him whatever’s the matter without sounding too interested.”

I barely stifled a yawn. “I hope we’re staying in tonight.”

“Had your fill of intrigue, have you, Miss Newton?” he asked with a wry smile.

“I merely need to rest between clandestine operations.”

With that, I swept into the schoolroom to begin the day’s lessons. Keeping Rollo’s attention engaged was a challenge, but I hated to see the classroom time end because social calls were my least favorite activity. At the appointed time, I put on my one tea dress—the one for the occasion, not the one that was currently covered in tea—and tidied my hair before joining Flora in the parlor.

Much to my surprise, the governor met me outside the parlor. “Might I ask you a favor, Miss Newton?” he said.

“Of course, Your Grace.”

“There have been recent events involving some young people among the magister class. We can’t permit destructive behavior to continue. I would appreciate it if you would keep a watchful eye on any visitors today and see if you notice anything unusual. I’ll ask the same of Lady Flora, but you’re a level-headed young woman, and I trust you to observe details.”

I was so stunned by his request that I had to blink a few times to be sure I was actually awake. “Of–of course I can do that for you, Your Grace,” I stammered. “But I don’t know any of these people well enough to know what behavior is unusual.”

“I trust you to tell if anything strikes you as odd. Thank you, Miss Newton.”

It was rather flattering that the royal governor of the American colonies had asked for my assistance, even though it put me in a difficult position. Obviously, I couldn’t actually report on anyone who was involved. If he weren’t making the same request of Flora, I might have been able to get away with claiming not to have noticed anything, but any report I made would have to match Flora’s report. It was easy to assume that Flora would only notice her visitors’ attire, but I’d learned not to underestimate Flora’s intelligence.

“Flora, my dear,” the governor said as we entered the parlor. “Might I ask you to keep your eyes and ears open as you visit with callers today?”

“I don’t expect them to say anything interesting,” she said.

“There have been some unusual events here that might be related to magisters. Young people would be more likely to talk to you about their activities.”

“Only if they’re foolish. Who would tell the governor’s granddaughter about unseemly behavior?”

She had a point, and that made me feel better. Even firebrands like Maude and Camilla were unlikely to parade their exploits in this house, and besides, no matter what they’d planned, they hadn’t actually done anything.

The governor smiled fondly at his granddaughter. “That’s likely the case, but I would like to hear about your visits, nonetheless. Miss Newton will provide a report, as well.”

He left us, and I took a seat in the back corner and began to knit. I would have preferred to read, but that was apparently considered rude, even if I was being treated like I was invisible. I still wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do as a chaperone if anything untoward did happen. I imagined hurling myself bodily between Flora and a caller and had to smile. It was more likely that my presence was expected to serve as a deterrent. My existence suggested that chaperones weren’t just a useless social custom, though I suspected that my mother’s magister paramour had been beyond an age to be chaperoned. That proved how foolish the rules were. How many others like me were there?

Much to my surprise, I recognized our first callers. When Camilla and Maude were escorted into the parlor, I barely remembered not to greet them, and they didn’t openly acknowledge me, though I thought Maude darted a glance at me. They wore aesthetic dress, which I thought rather daring when visiting the governor of the colonies, and Flora barely managed to get through the initial social niceties, she was so dumbfounded by their loose clothing.

“I don’t suppose dear Henry is in,” Camilla said. “He and my brother were such good friends in school, and I would dearly love to talk to him today.” I thought I detected a hint of menace in her voice and tried not to wince. The magisters probably weren’t too happy with Henry at the moment.

“I have no idea where Henry is,” Flora said. “If you know him at all, you know how little use he has for social conventions.”

“But I would hope he has use for old friends,” Maude said. “We hope we’ll see him at the ball. Such exciting things have been planned for that night. I’d hate for him to miss it.”

I was glad I was sitting behind Flora because I wasn’t able to stop myself from flinching. Maude’s tone and the glint in her eyes suggested that the exciting plans had nothing to do with gowns, music, or dancing and everything to do with making up for not being able to carry out their own tea party. But would Flora pick up on that, or was I only getting that impression because I already knew about Maude’s affiliations?