Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger Read Free Book Online

sedately out of three tall smokestacks.
    Sophronia was enchanted. It was the most fascinating thing she had ever seen, and entirely unlike any of the finishing schools she had ever heard of, which were mostly—accordingto her sisters—inside castles in Switzerland. She did not, however, want to admit to being enchanted, as this seemed childish, so instead, she said casually, “It’s much bigger than I expected.”
    “It’s very high up, isn’t it?” added Dimity nervously.
    As the carriage drew closer, Sophronia realized that the floating academy was moving much faster than she had initially thought. It was probably riding the stiff wind that seemed to rush over Dartmoor constantly, tilting small trees into lopsidedness. Just when she thought they might actually catch it, the horses screamed in terror and the carriage jerked to a stop.
    The door burst open. A young man stood before them. He was a tall, swarthy fellow of the type that Petunia would swoon over; rakishly handsome in a floppy way. He was wearing a black silk top hat and a greatcoat that covered him from neck to ankle.
Papa would call him a “young blunt” in a disgusted tone of voice.
Sophronia was briefly afraid that this was some new form of flywayman—except that he wore no goggles and was grinning at them.
    “Ladies!”
    Monique colored becomingly. “Captain.”
    “Winds are fierce this evening. Can’t float down for a pickup. You ladies will have to wait until after sunset, then I’ll give you a lift.”
    “Oh.” Monique’s delicate little nose wrinkled. “Must we?”
    The young man’s cheerful expression didn’t falter under the weight of her dissatisfaction. “Yes.”
    “Oh, very well.” Monique gave the man her hand and he helped her down.
    He did not turn to accompany her, instead looking inquiringly at Dimity and Sophronia. “Ladies. No time like the present.”
    Dimity gathered up her little basket, also blushing furiously, and put her hand into the man’s large one.
    He helped her down and returned for Sophronia. “Miss?”
    Sophronia busily checked the cab for any forgotten items.
    The young man observed this with a twinkle in his dark eyes. “Cautious girl.”
    Sophronia didn’t dignify that with a reply. She hadn’t pinpointed the particulars yet, but there was something odd about this man, aside from his being adorable.
    Outside, the wind was biting, and the great airship was even more impressive. The horses were restless, rolling their eyes and straining against their traces. The coachman fought to hold them. There seemed to be no reason for their panic. The young man strode forward to pay the driver. This only terrified the animals further. The coachman managed to take possession of his fare and keep hold of the reins, but only by dint of real skill. Then he turned his steeds around and let them have their way, careening across the heath at a breakneck speed.
    Dimity sidled up to Sophronia and whispered, “Isn’t he simply scrumptious?”
    Sophronia pretended obtuseness. “The coachman?”
    “No, silly. Him!” Dimity tilted her head toward their new escort.
    “He’s a little old, don’t you feel?”
    Dimity considered the age of the young man. He was, perhaps, one-and-twenty. “Well, I suppose. But Monique doesn’t believe so. Look at her flirting! Shameless.”
    The man and Monique were discussing the lack of luggage. With animated hand gestures, Monique described its loss, their recent attack, and their subsequent escape. She downplayed Sophronia’s part and accentuated her own. Sophronia would have defended herself, but there was something about the way Monique told the story that was about more than ego.
    “She’s hiding something. Has been all along—and not only her real identity.”
    “A brain?” Dimity suggested.
    “And
he
isn’t wearing any shoes.”
    “Oh, I say! You’re right. How peculiar.”
    “And the horses were afraid of him. Every time he got close, they shied.”
    “But