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"She’s happier there" Agatha’s tone was sad Sidheag had been her closest friend

"How do you think things are with Captain Niall?" Dimity wondered

"Difficult to tell It’s not as if she would write that down" Sophronia and Sidheag shared a dislike of discussing roatha’s bowed head

Diatha, would you like to keep the letter?" said Sophronia

"Oh, may I? You don’t lanced down at her necklace tioodness, we have to be in the kitchens in five minutes!"

They had various new lessons, but by far the oddest was, of all things, cooking Why a respectable feht need to cook, aside froreat mystery But one did not question Professor Lefoux’s orders Chopping onions was the worst part, until Diood effect Professor Lefoux was surprised out of her custo thearbed as if for a flywayman attack

"Innovative" was her only comment

With only a week before the New Year’s tea party, the teachers were deterirls back in form quickly Parties were the best place to practice the art of espionage--holidays, shopping, and Christ ladies of quality were not allowed to be distracted by anything

Sophronia tried to deliver Mada none of it "I fail to see why you would make up such a falsehood! How on earth would she be in London? Why reach out to you with such an outlandish story after cutting off contact for all this time? Why send proof to Lord Akelda more on the subject!"

After that Lady Linette watched like a hunting hound, and Sophronia could do nothing but apply herself diligently to the routine of classes She couldn’t shake a feeling of suspension It was as if she were hanging over an abyss Any ht co at any moment and cut her safety line She became convinced of, even obsessed with, the fact that Madame Spetuna was their only hope She was their only contact on the inside

"It’s so frustrating!" she whinged over tea "Why won’t Lady Linette even entertain the idea?"

"Why is it you’re good at so atha nibbled a bit of orange pound cake

Dimity answered that "Because she likes to be in motion Haven’t you noticed? Our Sophronia is happiest when she is crawling over or swinging around soe and in encer needs patience And Sophronia is supposed to be one of the best"

"Maybe because I’ve ested Sophronia "No, I’ve left it long enough She hinted at soht make Lady Linette believe ain?" wailed Dimity "It destroyed a perfectly lovely dress last tireen eyes lit up with excitement

"Anyone ever taken you to task for a perfectly horrid idea of diversion?"