initial hurt and anger about Alec’s lies had eased, and now I felt his loss keenly. I hadn’t realized how much I’d enjoyed having friends. I took my usual walks in the park, but I saw no one I knew. That convinced me that they’d lied about having come to care about me. As soon as I was no longer an asset, they’d dropped me entirely and were making no effort to mend fences.
My ballgown was ready for a fitting on Thursday. I saw to it that the girls were occupied with their music and drawing lessons before collecting my hat, coat, and gloves. When I stepped out of my room, I nearly ran into Lord Henry, who was lurking outside my door.
“I must ask another favor of you,” he said, his voice fraught with tension. “I wouldn’t impose upon you again if this weren’t so very important and if I could think of any other way.”
“Do you wish me to deliver another parcel?” I asked, nodding toward the one he held.
“If you would be so kind. It goes to the same place, with the same stipulations.”
“It’s no bother at all,” I said, taking the parcel from him.
He then handed me a bank note. “Buy something for yourself while you’re there.”
I tried to give it back to him. “That’s not necessary. I am only too happy to do a favor. You’ve been so kind to me.”
“This isn’t payment for the service. It’s a reason for you to be there. If anyone asks why you were in that shop, you’ll need something to show for it. You can look like you were selling and buying books.”
Even though I was fairly certain of the truth—and that his answer would be a falsehood—I asked him, “Are you in trouble?”
“These are dangerous times and it is better to take precautions,” he said evasively. Coming so close to being caught seemed to have frightened him into being more careful.
I nodded as I took the money from him and deposited it in my purse. He went with me down to the street, where a cab waited. As I rode downtown, I wished I knew a magic spell for looking inside a parcel. Seeing his fear and knowing that one of his associates had been arrested worried me. What would become of me if I were caught with this parcel?
As the cab neared Union Square, I noticed something in the sky. At first, I thought it was one of the airships that had been patrolling the city, but when I reached my destination and alighted, I got a better look and realized this must be the ship bringing the soldiers from India who had experience with insurrections.
This was a smaller ship, but it looked crueler. The Hercules was meant for carrying passengers and cargo, but this was a fighting vessel. I doubted it would be leaving, and I doubted that even his grandfather’s influence would get Rollo a tour of this ship. The front, rear, and underside of its gondola bristled with weapons, and the balloon itself had great, jagged scimitars protruding from it.
The ship was moored to the tallest building on the university campus. Soldiers swarmed down rope ladders onto the building’s roof. It was difficult to see how many there were from nearly ten blocks away, but I didn’t have time to go closer. With a sigh of regret, I entered the modiste’s shop.
The ballgown was nearly complete, wanting only the finishing touches. Once I had removed my dress, Madame Flambeau tightened my corset before putting the gown on me. “For a ball, you want the tiny waist, no?” she said, and I was so lost in thought about the warship moored only blocks away that I didn’t even argue with her about the corset lacing, as uncomfortable as it was.
When she threw the dress over my head, I momentarily forgot about the airship and impending revolution. “Oh, I’ve never worn anything so beautiful,” I said. The image in the looking glass was that of a stranger. I wished I could turn and admire the way the dress moved, but Madame Flambeau was busy making little tucks and sticking pins in the dress.
“You’ve got a lovely figure, and in my gown, you’ll catch an officer’s eye, that’s for sure,” she said. “You won’t be a governess for long.”
“I will be at the ball as a chaperone,” I reminded her. “I won’t be trying to catch an officer’s eye.”
“Aye, but you’ll be one of the few