someone else to look after.
Tom lurched closer and closer, every sound growing more distinct until Evelina was sure she could make out the slide of each bone under uncertain flesh. A hot, sweaty nausea made her head swim, and she swallowed hard to clear her watering mouth.
Tom stopped, sniffing. Apparently, his nose was failing him, because he was there, just feet away. Not quite within touching distance, but close. Evelina moved her head by degrees, trying to stay invisible. Now she could see him—a sketchy, lumpen shape in the darkness, hairfalling into his face. At least he wasn’t carrying his dinner this time.
The moment buzzed with anticipation. Evelina’s throat constricted with tension until it ached. Tom swiveled his head, his eyes shadowy pits. Whether they saw her, or saw anything, she wasn’t sure. He tested the air again. Something dripped—a faint, steady sound—and she realized with a crawling of the flesh that it had to be him. Something was leaking.
But then he moved on. A sudden lurch, and the shuffle began again. Evelina remained still and silent until a full dozen minutes had passed. She was taking no chances.
Finally, she released her breath in a ragged wheeze.
That was obscene
.
Unfortunately, it was far from over. She clambered from the steam-pipe ditch and followed the shuffling form at a good distance, using the faint moonlight to keep the hunched shape in sight. As they neared the school, he became easier to see, but it also became harder to stay out of sight.
Brilliant displays of light had become the fashion in Society. Accordingly, the academy grounds were lit by a long double row of gas lamps, their yellow-tinted globes like magic lanterns hovering to either side of the drive. The double doors of the entrance were flanked by footmen on loan for the job. Whenever the doors opened, the muffled music and laughter from within grew clearer.
But that-which-had-been-Tom must have remembered that the ballroom was really the assembly hall, and it had more convenient doors off the back of the building. He skirted the school to the left, keeping to the darkest part of the grounds. Evelina went far to the right, using the bushes for cover.
As soon as she reached the back garden, Evelina ran to the old birch tree in the northeast corner, grabbing the lowest branch and pulling herself up. It was easier work than making herway to the roof, but less predictable, especially in the frosty dark. Her gloved hands were stiff with the cold. Her foot slipped, making her bang her chin on the branch. Then she got a better grip and made her way up another level. From there she could see the back of the building clearly but still keep to the shadows. Most important, she was away from the crowd. There was a healthy clump of juniper bushes between the base of the tree and the lawn.
She could see the throng of guests through the brightly lit windows, whirling to the muted strains of the violins. Others had spilled out onto the lawn near the doors. More would be in other rooms inside the academy, eating, drinking, and celebrating the belles of the upcoming Season. Violet was sure to be one of them.
Evelina felt a pang, wondering what it would have been like to be laughing with Imogen and her handsome brother. She might have danced with Tobias, swirling about the room in the beautiful green dress. He might have even kissed her. Mrs. Roberts had forbidden mistletoe, but someone always smuggled it in.
Instead, Evelina settled into a crook in the tree, untying the mouth of the velvet shoe bag she usually reserved for her dancing slippers and pulled out the three mechanical toys Rector Larch had contributed. She set them along a thick branch: a wind-up hot air balloon painted with red and white stripes, a stork clutching a basket, and a burgundy velvet armchair with wings. Then she set out three tiny votive candles, three tiny glass chimneys, and a box of matches.
“Deva, I need you,” she whispered into the
Tom lurched closer and closer, every sound growing more distinct until Evelina was sure she could make out the slide of each bone under uncertain flesh. A hot, sweaty nausea made her head swim, and she swallowed hard to clear her watering mouth.
Tom stopped, sniffing. Apparently, his nose was failing him, because he was there, just feet away. Not quite within touching distance, but close. Evelina moved her head by degrees, trying to stay invisible. Now she could see him—a sketchy, lumpen shape in the darkness, hairfalling into his face. At least he wasn’t carrying his dinner this time.
The moment buzzed with anticipation. Evelina’s throat constricted with tension until it ached. Tom swiveled his head, his eyes shadowy pits. Whether they saw her, or saw anything, she wasn’t sure. He tested the air again. Something dripped—a faint, steady sound—and she realized with a crawling of the flesh that it had to be him. Something was leaking.
But then he moved on. A sudden lurch, and the shuffle began again. Evelina remained still and silent until a full dozen minutes had passed. She was taking no chances.
Finally, she released her breath in a ragged wheeze.
That was obscene
.
Unfortunately, it was far from over. She clambered from the steam-pipe ditch and followed the shuffling form at a good distance, using the faint moonlight to keep the hunched shape in sight. As they neared the school, he became easier to see, but it also became harder to stay out of sight.
Brilliant displays of light had become the fashion in Society. Accordingly, the academy grounds were lit by a long double row of gas lamps, their yellow-tinted globes like magic lanterns hovering to either side of the drive. The double doors of the entrance were flanked by footmen on loan for the job. Whenever the doors opened, the muffled music and laughter from within grew clearer.
But that-which-had-been-Tom must have remembered that the ballroom was really the assembly hall, and it had more convenient doors off the back of the building. He skirted the school to the left, keeping to the darkest part of the grounds. Evelina went far to the right, using the bushes for cover.
As soon as she reached the back garden, Evelina ran to the old birch tree in the northeast corner, grabbing the lowest branch and pulling herself up. It was easier work than making herway to the roof, but less predictable, especially in the frosty dark. Her gloved hands were stiff with the cold. Her foot slipped, making her bang her chin on the branch. Then she got a better grip and made her way up another level. From there she could see the back of the building clearly but still keep to the shadows. Most important, she was away from the crowd. There was a healthy clump of juniper bushes between the base of the tree and the lawn.
She could see the throng of guests through the brightly lit windows, whirling to the muted strains of the violins. Others had spilled out onto the lawn near the doors. More would be in other rooms inside the academy, eating, drinking, and celebrating the belles of the upcoming Season. Violet was sure to be one of them.
Evelina felt a pang, wondering what it would have been like to be laughing with Imogen and her handsome brother. She might have danced with Tobias, swirling about the room in the beautiful green dress. He might have even kissed her. Mrs. Roberts had forbidden mistletoe, but someone always smuggled it in.
Instead, Evelina settled into a crook in the tree, untying the mouth of the velvet shoe bag she usually reserved for her dancing slippers and pulled out the three mechanical toys Rector Larch had contributed. She set them along a thick branch: a wind-up hot air balloon painted with red and white stripes, a stork clutching a basket, and a burgundy velvet armchair with wings. Then she set out three tiny votive candles, three tiny glass chimneys, and a box of matches.
“Deva, I need you,” she whispered into the
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