Etiquette & Espionage Read Free Page A

dumbwaiter. It’s making the most awful racket. But you don’t want to hear of such piddling domestic
trifles
.” She put a great deal of emphasis on the word
trifles
.
    Sophronia grimaced.
    Mrs. Temminnick sat down, rubbing at a grease spot on her formerly impeccable gloves. “How are you and Sophronia getting on?”
    Mademoiselle Geraldine said, “Quite well. The young lady was just telling me of some history book she was recently reading. What was the subject?”
    So, she doesn’t want Mumsy to know she’s been throwing pillows at me?
Sophronia was never one to let anyone down when fibs were required.
    “Egypt. Apparently the Primeval Monarchy, which follows directly after the Mythical Period, has been given new dates. And—”
    Her mother interrupted. “That’s more than enough of
that
, Sophronia. A headmistress isn’t inter. Tsn’t ested in education. Really, Mademoiselle Geraldine, once you get her started she’ll neverstop.” She looked hopeful. “I know she’s a terrible mess, but can you
do
anything with her?”
    Mademoiselle Geraldine gave a tight smile. “What do you say to a probationary period? We’ll return her in time for that coming-out ball of yours in a few months and see how she gets on until then?”
    “Oh, Mademoiselle Geraldine, how perfectly topping!” Sophronia’s mother clasped her hands delightedly. “Isn’t this thrilling, Sophronia? You’re going to finishing school!”
    “But I don’t
want
to go to finishing school!” Sophronia couldn’t help the petulance in her voice as visions of parasol training danced through her head.
    “Don’t be like that, darling. It will be very exciting.”
    Sophronia grappled for recourse. “But she threw a pillow at me!”
    “Oh, Sophronia, don’t tell fibs—you know how unhappy that makes me.”
    Sophronia gawped, swiveling her gaze back and forth between her now-animated mother and the crowlike stranger.
    “How soon can she be made ready?” Mademoiselle Geraldine wanted to know.
    Sophronia’s mother started. “You wish to take her away
now
?”
    “I am here, am I not? Why waste the trip?”
    “I didn’t think it would be so soon. We must shop for new dresses, a warmer coat. What about her lesson books?”
    “Oh, you can send all
that
along later. I shall provide you with a list of required items. She’ll be perfectly fine for the time being. A resourceful girl, I suspect.”
    “Well, if you think it best.”
    “I do.”
    Sophronia was not accustomed to seeing her mother railroaded so effectively. “But Mumsy!”
    “If Mademoiselle Geraldine thinks it best, then you had better hop to it, young lady. Go change into your good blue dress and your Sunday hat. I’ll have one of the maids pack your necessities. May we have half an hour, mademoiselle?”
    “Of course. Perhaps I will take a little tour of the grounds while you organize? To stretch my legs before the drive.”
    “Please do. Come along, Sophronia, we have much to do.”
    Frustrated and out of sorts, Sophronia trailed after her mother.
    Accordingly, she was given an old portmanteau from the attic, three hatboxes, and a carpetbag. With barely enough time to ensure a nibble for the drive—to goodness knows where, at a distance of goodness knows how far—Sophronia found herself being shoved hastily into a carriage. Her mother kissed her on the forehead and made a show of fussing. “My little girl, all grown up and leaving to become a lady!” And that, as they say, was that.
    Sophronia might have hoped for a grand send-off with all her siblings and half the mechanical retainers waving tearstained handkerchiefs. But her younger brothers were exploring the farm, her older ones were away at Eton, her sisters were busy with fripperies or marriages—possibly one and the same—and the mechanicals were trundling about their daily tasks. She thought she spotted Roger, the stable lad, waving his cap from the hayloft, but apart from that, even her mother gave only a