Part 9 (2/2)
”Not as much as I had hoped. Although one of the s.h.i.+ps, the Spanker Spanker, transporting multiple regiments and a.s.sociated packs, was said to be afflicted by a human condition human condition the the entire entire pa.s.sage home.” pa.s.sage home.”
”Yes, Major Channing mentioned something of the kind. Although the Woolsey Pack had returned to supernatural normalcy by the time they reached the castle.”
”And what do we we think of Major Channing?” think of Major Channing?”
”We try try not not to think on that repulsive individual at all.” to think on that repulsive individual at all.”
Lord Akeldama laughed, and a handsome young butler entered with the tea tray. ”You know, I once tried to recruit him, decades ago.”
”Did you really?” Lady Maccon could not countenance the idea; for one thing, she did not believe Major Channing leaned in Lord Akeldama's direction, although there were rumors about military men.
”He was a splendid splendid sculptor before he turned. Did you know? We all knew he had a good chance of having excess soul; vampires and werewolves were vying to be his patron. Such a sweet young talented thing.” sculptor before he turned. Did you know? We all knew he had a good chance of having excess soul; vampires and werewolves were vying to be his patron. Such a sweet young talented thing.”
”We are are discussing the same Major Channing, are we not?” discussing the same Major Channing, are we not?”
”He rebuffed me me and went into soldiering, thought it more and went into soldiering, thought it more romantic. romantic. Eventually, he was converted to the fuzzy side of the supernatural during the Napoleonic war.” Eventually, he was converted to the fuzzy side of the supernatural during the Napoleonic war.”
Alexia was not clear on what to make of this information. So she returned to the original topic. ”If it is a weapon, I must find where it has gone. Lyall said it was headed north, and we believe it to be going by coach. The question is, where, and who is carrying it?”
”And what what exactly is it?” added the vampire, pouring the tea. Lady Maccon took hers with milk and a little sugar. He took his with a dash of blood and a squeeze of lemon. exactly is it?” added the vampire, pouring the tea. Lady Maccon took hers with milk and a little sugar. He took his with a dash of blood and a squeeze of lemon.
”Well, if Professor Lyall claims it is heading northward, then northward it is. Your husband's Beta is never never wrong.” There was an odd tone in Lord Akeldama's voice. Alexia looked at him sharply. He added only, ”When?” wrong.” There was an odd tone in Lord Akeldama's voice. Alexia looked at him sharply. He added only, ”When?”
”Just before I came here.”
”No, no, primrose. I mean, when did it it begin to move northward?” He pa.s.sed a small plate of some excellent biscuits, declining the comestibles himself. begin to move northward?” He pa.s.sed a small plate of some excellent biscuits, declining the comestibles himself.
Lady Maccon did some quick calculations. ”Seems like it would have had to depart London late yesterday evening or early this morning.”
”Just as the humanization in London stopped?”
”Precisely.”
”So what we need to know is what regiments, or packs, or individuals came in on the Spanker Spanker, then proceeded north yesterday morning.”
Lady Maccon had a sinking feeling all fingers were about to point in one particular direction. ”I place great confidence in the fact that Professor Lyall is already hunting down just that information.”
”But you already have a good idea of who the perpetrators might be, don't you, my little periwinkle periwinkle?” Lord Akeldama stopped relaxing back into the love seat and tilted forward to peer at her through his monocle.
Lady Maccon sighed. ”Call it instinct.”
The vampire smiled, showing his two long fangs, pointed and strikingly lethal. ”Ah, yes, your preternatural ancestors were hunters for generations, sugardrop. sugardrop.” Delicacy did not permit him to remind her that they hunted vampires.
”Oh no, not that kind of instinct.”
”Oh?”
”Perhaps instead I should say 'wifely intuition.' ”
”Ah.” Lord Akeldama's smile widened. ”You believe your oversized husband to be connected to the weapon?”
Lady Maccon frowned and nibbled a biscuit. ”No, not exactly, but where my dear spouse goes...” She trailed off.
”You think this whole thing may be connected to his visiting Scotland?”
Alexia sipped her tea and remained silent.
”You think this has something to do with the Kingair Pack losing their Alpha?”
Alexia started. She did not realize that little fact was common knowledge. How did did Lord Akeldama come by his information so quickly? It was really remarkable. If only the Crown could be so efficient. Or BUR for that matter. Lord Akeldama come by his information so quickly? It was really remarkable. If only the Crown could be so efficient. Or BUR for that matter.
”A pack without an Alpha can behave badly, but on this kind of scale? You think-”
Lady Maccon interrupted her friend. ”I think Lady Maccon may suddenly feel quite oppressed by the dirty London air. I think Lady Maccon may have need of a vacation. Perhaps to the north? I hear Scotland is lovely this time of year.” Lady Maccon may suddenly feel quite oppressed by the dirty London air. I think Lady Maccon may have need of a vacation. Perhaps to the north? I hear Scotland is lovely this time of year.”
”Are you barmy? Scotland is wholly abysmal abysmal this time of year.” this time of year.”
”Indeed, why would one wish to travel there, especially with the trains down?” This was a new voice, tinged with a very faint French accent.
Madame Lefoux had not forgone her men's garb, although she had formalized it for visiting, changing her colorful cravat for one of white lawn and her brown top hat for a black one.
”Lady Maccon fancies herself in need of air,” replied Lord Akeldama, rising and going forward to greet his new guest. ”Madame Lefoux, I presume?”
Alexia blushed at not having jumped in to make proper introductions, but the other two seemed to have matters well in hand.
”How do you do? Lord Akeldama? A pleasure to make your acquaintance at last. I have heard much of your charms.” The inventor gave the vampire's startling black and white shoes and smoking jacket an intent look.
”And I yours,” replied the vampire, casting an equally critical eye to the inventor's stylish masculine garb.
Alexia noted a certain undercurrent of wariness, as though they were two vultures circling the same carca.s.s.
”Well, there is no accounting for taste,” said the Frenchwoman softly. Lord Akeldama appeared about to take offense, but the lady added, turning slightly to the side, ”Scotland, Lady Maccon, are you certain?”
A flash of wary approval crossed the vampire's face at that. ”Do sit,” he offered. ”You smell divine by the way. Vanilla? A lovely scent. And so very feminine. feminine.”
Was that a return jibe? wondered Alexia. wondered Alexia.
Madame Lefoux accepted a cup of tea and sat on another little settee, next to the relocated calico cat. The cat clearly believed Madame Lefoux was there to provide chin scratches. Madame Lefoux provided.
”Scotland,” replied Lady Maccon firmly. ”By dirigible, I think. I shall make the arrangements directly and depart tomorrow.”
”You shall find that difficult. Giffard's is not open to nighttime clientele.”
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