They were as of last evening, Madam Inquisitor, said Mrs. Hancock calmly. But the girl received a telegram early this morning, and Mrs. Dawlish, my superior, gave her leave without first consulting me. Rest assured she will return in good time.
Mrs. Hancock herded Mrs. Dawlishs staff away. Cooper shouted, There he comes, our Fairfax, fresh from the powder room, as promised.
What? Titus felt as if he had been whipped. Why?
From the edge of the crowd, Fairfax made her jaunty way toward him, head held high, hat set at a dashing angle, whistling.
Whistling. Had she lost her mind? Run, you fool. And do not look back.
Guilt overwhelmed him: she had come because of the blood oath. There could be no other explanation. He prayed againdesperate, jumbled prayersfor the multitudes to close ranks and keep her out. Instead, she sliced effortlessly through the horde, like a clipper on an open ocean.
You are the stupidest girl in the world.
Mrs. Oakbluff stared at her. Haywood stared at her. The Inquisitor stared at them . The least twitch of recognition . . .
She continued to advance, prettier than all the silk-clad sisters. It was a wonder she had managed to pass herself off as a boy for so long; she would not fool them another minute.
Perhaps she did not intend to. Perhaps she meant to pit her powers against the Inquisitors here and now. She would not stand a chance. Among the Inquisitors minions were battle-hardened elemental mages with far greater experience than she.
She only stopped when she reached Greencomb the secretary. A second later Greencomb announced, Mr. Archer Fairfax.
Fairfax stepped before her greatest enemies and bowed.
Tituss disbelief reached an excruciating peak. How was it possible that she had not yet been yanked away? What was going on? Yet he dared not glance at either Oakbluff or Haywood, for fear of giving himself away.
I understand you are His Highnesss faithful companion, Mr. Fairfax, said Lady Callista.
She had already smiled long and hard this day. Her expression had become stiff, and tinged with fatigue.
I am a frequent beneficiary of His Highnesss largesse, said Fairfax. It seems only fitting that when he requires companionship, I am there to provide it.
Lady Callistas eyes widened ever so slightly at Fairfaxs neutral statement on their friendship.
Fairfax bowed again and prepared to yield her place to the next person in line.
Who are your parents? asked the Inquisitor, who had not spoken to any of the boys presented so far.
Mr. and Mrs. Roland Fairfax of Bechuanaland, maam.
Where in Bechuanaland, precisely?
A hundred twenty miles outside Kuruman. Have you been to Bechuanaland, maam?
No, said the Inquisitor. But should the opportunity arise, I will be sure to call on your parents.
Titus felt as if a giant spider was crawling down his spine. If the Inquisitor were to mount a personal investigation, then Tituss thin veil of deception would not stand a chance.
Fairfaxs sangfroid did not falter. They will be honored to receive you, maam.
We shall see, said the Inquisitor.
Fairfax bowed one more time and walked away.
Safe for now.
As Iolanthe left, she dared a glance in Master Haywoods direction. He looked dazed and exhausted, and it took everything in her not to throw the scene into chaos and make away with him.
Mrs. Dawlishs house was deserted. But Wintervales mother was in his room, standing before his desk,
writing something.
It had been a frozen moment of horror in Wintervales house as Iolanthe realized her mistake. Then Wintervales mother had said, I wont try to murder you again. What help do you need?
Iolanthe had been stunned. But there had been no time to ask questions. Shed hurriedly explained her needs, brought Wintervales mother to Mrs. Dawlishs house, and sent her off with a description of the two mages at whom she should aim a barrage of invalidating spells, so that as Iolanthe stood before Master Haywood and Mrs. Nettle, they would neither be able to access old memories, nor gain new ones while under the spell.
She knocked very softly. Wintervales mother turned around. Its you.
Thank you for helping me, Iolanthe said. And please dont lose your sanity now.
I had better go, said the not-quite-so-mad woman. Forgive me. And please do not mind what I said earlierhis choices are not your fault.
Whose choices?
But Wintervales mother was already stepping into the wardrobe, a piece of paper in hand. When Iolanthe opened the wardrobe again, it was empty except for a note on the inside of the door.
Dear Lee, I am blocking this portal for now, until I find a more secure means for you to access the house. Love, Mother.
As it turned out, Fairfax was not the last boy from Mrs. Dawlishs house to be brought before the Inquisitor, nor the second to last. A junior boy had slipped away to buy tobacco in town. A boy in his final year was found in a compromising position with a maid in the headmasters householdand dragged back for his inspection.
But even after all the boys had been accounted for, the wait continued as the absent kitchen maid remained absent. Lady Callista had come prepared with snow-white linen and a picnic grand enough for a state banquet. Titus touched nothing, not even a drop of water.