Chapter 23 #2
“Yes,” said Perry patiently, “and they’ll look around, see nothing, and go away again. I’ll give it ten minutes. Probably best if I wait a bit, anyway, otherwise I’ll get too Bemused.”
Judith almost rolled her eyes. She was the one who had taught Perry that, back in London, soon after he discovered his Gift.
“Yes, my dear,” she said. “But it’s too dangerous.
We need some other contingency. Otherwise, I’ll have heart failure, if you leave me behind again.
How about I go, with the ring, and fetch Wooten myself. ”
“Mother!” said Perry. “You can’t drag me out here and then make me sit in an armchair. Besides, how will you get back? That ring Travels one way only, from what you told me.”
Judith wanted to gnash her teeth. “I can’t let you die at the end of a gun!”
There was a taut silence. Miss Onslow looked from one to the other, eyes wide.
Robert spoke up, his voice gruff. “I could disguise Peregrine as a soldier. It might confound them enough to give him a moment to escape.”
Judith turned, hope sparking in her heart. “That might work. They won’t shoot someone in their own uniform.”
Perry raised his brows at Robert. “Oh, and you have a spare uniform, do you?”
“No,” said Robert, expressionless. “I’m an Illusor.”
Perry’s eyes lit up. “Oh, brilliant. Can you do me a red coat then?”
Robert shrugged. “I can try.” He got up and stood in the middle of the room.
After a moment of staring at Perry, he closed his eyes.
When he opened them next, Perry’s disreputable coat vanished under a veneer of jolly red, with round brass buttons and white cross-belts.
His loose pantaloons neatened, becoming tighter and (it must be said) cleaner, and his boots lengthened and blackened.
Miss Onslow gasped again. Perry looked down at himself, then strode to the window, pulling the curtain open so he could examine his reflection in the dark glass.
“Very smart.” He admired his buttons, then glanced over at Robert. “Does that mean you’ll have to come with me?”
“Not if I do it in a charm,” said Robert. “But that will take a while to set. I gather you have to go back soon for Wooten?”
“Miss Belfleur said ten minutes.”
Robert grimaced. “Not enough time.”
“I’ll go then,” said Judith. “I don’t need a uniform.”
“Mother, you can’t return,” said Perry patiently, “Robert can come with me.” He turned to Robert again. “You can make a coat for yourself, can’t you? Two soldiers are better than one. Then they really won’t know what to do with us.”
Judith’s mouth fell open in horror. “Certainly not! Robert, I don’t want both of you going in there, for God’s sake!”
Robert gave her an inscrutable look. “If Peregrine takes too long, Miss Belfleur and Wooten might be seen. Especially if Wooten is behaving erratically. Then the whole game might be up.”
“Oh yes,” agreed Perry. “They might torture Miss Belfleur for information. Can’t have that.”
Marigold gave an involuntary squeak of protest.
Judith squeezed her eyes shut. “Curse it. Perry, why did I ever allow you to become involved?”
“I don’t know,” he said cheerfully. “Because you had no other choice, I imagine. Now, Robert, let’s dress ourselves up. Officers Avely and Avely!”
Miss Onslow’s eyes moved from one boy to the other, but she wisely did not say anything about Robert’s last name being Steer. A stain came onto Robert’s cheeks, but he also kept quiet. Instead, he focused on conjuring the uniforms, casting both of them into a semblance of military order.
Perry straightened his shoulders as he looked down at himself. “I always wanted to be a navy man, myself. But this is good for a lark. Wait ’til I tell Elinor. She’s going to be so vexed to be missing out on the fun!” He paused moodily. “Except I’ve a good mind not to tell her anything.”
Judith examined them both critically. “Well done, Robert. You should both pass muster in a crisis.” She paused. “But not a literal muster! Don’t attempt to pass yourselves off as part of the garrison and go marching round the fort.”
Perry puffed out his chest. “I don’t know. Maybe we could just stride down to the prison cell and demand the duke’s release.”
Marigold rolled her eyes. “Anyone looking at you for more than ten seconds will fall over in a fit. Especially Wooten. Your hair is atrocious, and neither of you have proper military bearing.”
Perry pulled his chin in sharply. “Fine.” He glowered at Marigold. “Luckily, all I need is two seconds to fetch us out of there.”
Marigold sniffed. “Take me with you, so I can find Wooten.”
Perry’s posture drooped again. “Dash it, do I have to? I’m always ferrying bats around.”
“You might need me.” Marigold folded her arms.
“Fine,” said Perry ungraciously. “Hop aboard. At least I’m not herding sheep this time.”
Judith raised her brows at this cryptic remark, but Marigold tossed her lavender kerchief aside and became a bat, swooping over to Perry. He winced as she landed on his shoulder, then he glanced at the clock.
“I think it’s time,” he announced. “Wooten awaits. Hold on to my ear, Miss Cultor.”
Judith sighed. “Be careful, please. All of you. And be quick.”
“Yes, Mother.” Perry jerked his head at Robert. “Come here, cousin. We need to have a bit of a cuddle while I Travel us in.”
Slowly, Robert walked over, his face a picture of reluctance. A slightly hysterical laugh burbled up inside Judith’s chest, but she swallowed it. Poor Robert, being forced to embrace his half-brother, when he was so determined to hold him at a distance.
Sanguine and oblivious, Perry held out his arms. Robert shuffled into them and stood stiffly while Perry clasped him round the middle, grinning at his mother.
“See you soon,” he said, and they vanished.
There was a stark, empty silence in the drawing room.
“Damnation,” said Judith, with great feeling. She found that she was now careless of any gently bred ears. “Hellfire and devil’s testicles!”
Miss Onslow’s eyes almost popped out of her head. She cleared her throat. “I’m…sure they will be fine.”
“You don’t know my son,” snapped Judith. “Even in your five minutes’ acquaintance with him, you must see that he is reckless and stupid. I say that as a loving mother.” She began to pace again, swishing her skirts furiously. “And he’s taken Robert and Marigold with him.”
“They will provide a sensible influence,” Miss Onslow suggested cautiously, though she did not deny the maternal charges. “They will simply pop in and out. I think it is all rather exciting! They’ll be back soon, I’m certain of it.”