Chapter 16 #3
Prunella hesitated, glancing at Zacharias, but he had retreated into his chair at Lady Wythe’s reproof, and looked haughtily unconscious.
“I am obliged to you for your solicitude, ma’am,” said Prunella slowly. “But I have been devising spells and cantions since I was quite a little thing, and was never the worse for it. It was never part of my plan to become a thaumaturge, but—” She paused, and looked at Zacharias again.
Lady Wythe looked anxious.
“You must not let him persuade you to do anything you dislike,” she said.
An extraordinary noise issued from the long-suffering Zacharias. “I, compel Miss Gentleman to do what she would not like to do!”
“You are very kind, ma’am,” said Prunella earnestly. “But indeed, I am happy to submit to Mr. Wythe’s instruction. Mr. Wythe and I understand one another, I believe.”
“Well, it is an extraordinary situation,” said Lady Wythe, keeping her thoughts to herself. “But I do not doubt Zacharias’s judgment in thaumaturgical affairs, and I should be happy for you to stay with me.”
“I am obliged to you, ma’am,” said Zacharias. “That will render our course a great deal smoother.” He coughed, and went on, more awkwardly than ever:
“There is another favour I must beg. Miss Gentleman has travelled to London because she wishes to be—I believe the term is ‘brought out.’”
Lady Wythe stared at him.
“Into society,” Zacharias added.
Prunella thought it right to intervene.
“As I said, I never thought of being a thaumaturge till I met Mr. Wythe,” she said. “But I should very much like to enter society.”
“Heavens,” said Lady Wythe blankly. “But why on earth—?”
“Because I should like to have a husband,” said Miss Gentleman, surprised to have to explain the obvious.
“I understand Miss Gentleman will venture to find herself a husband, and only desires assistance in gaining access to the best society, so that she may begin her efforts at the highest level,” said Zacharias.
Miss Gentleman nodded approvingly. “If you would be so good as to introduce her into society, she has agreed to submit to a moderate regimen of thaumaturgical training.”
“Oh, there is no question whatsoever,” exclaimed Prunella. “I would read a thousand grimoires if that was what it took.”
An awful silence descended.
“I cannot seem to make sense of the situation, despite your explanations, Zacharias,” said Lady Wythe finally.
“I cannot make out why it is so necessary that Miss Gentleman should agree to training. Of course, my dear”—this to the young lady—“you must be married, if that is what you wish. But it seems to me that the best means of achieving that would be for you to return to this school. I should be happy to exert my influence with the headmistress to see that you obtained a good place, and in time I am sure a young woman of your charm cannot fail to find a suitable husband.”
“But a suitable husband is not what I want at all,” cried Miss Gentleman.
“With respect, ma’am, we have not yet told you the whole,” said Zacharias. “Miss Gentleman has recently come into the possession of three familiars. They have consented to travel within her valise to evade detection.”
Lady Wythe had not taken notice of the valise before. It loomed suddenly large in her vision: a small brown case, much the worse for wear, resting on Miss Gentleman’s knee.
There was no disbelieving Zacharias. His authority on such matters could not be gainsaid, and he spoke with total conviction.
“You see my position,” said Zacharias. “There is no alternative. Miss Gentleman must be trained.”
“Indeed,” said Lady Wythe faintly.
· · ·
LADY Wythe insisted on Zacharias’s staying the night in her house. It was so late, and still so cold in the evenings, she was sure he ought not to be venturing out again, and it would be the easiest thing in the world to make up a bed for him.
She suspected, rightly, that despite the late hour, Zacharias intended to go from her house to his office, for his fortnight’s absence had stored up for him a great deal of work.
When he began to suffer the symptoms heralding one of his attacks, however, he thought it wise to submit, recalling his misadventure at the Blue Boar.
He was not surprised to find Sir Stephen waiting in the spare bedroom for him.
“You must certainly inform the Society,” said Sir Stephen.
As he sat down to take off his boots, Zacharias was conscious of a sense of relief.
Even if they were bound to quarrel on the subject, he could at least be frank with his former guardian.
It was not possible to confide in anyone else, for Prunella had bound him to secrecy regarding her four remaining treasures.
“If you mean I should tell the Society about the familiars’ eggs,” said Zacharias, “they are Miss Gentleman’s property, and she has only agreed to make one over to me once she has succeeded in contracting a marriage.”
Sir Stephen disregarded this.
“Of course, there are the creatures that have hatched!” he exclaimed.
“What a wretched coil it is—for if you bring the Society the eggs they are bound to ask where they came from, and if it were to come out about the girl’s familiars, you could hardly survive the scandal.
Your position is already precarious, and that hag’s antics have not helped. ”