Steam & Sorcery by Cindy Spencer Pape Page B

Dorothy both went out on a regular basis, there never seemed to be gatherings here at Hadrian House. While it was a trifle unexpected, it suited Caroline fine, and besides, it was truly none of her business. With a smile of relief, she accepted the offer.
    Shortly thereafter, Caroline led her jubilant students down to the ballroom. The vast space with its shining parquet floor, gilt paneling and soaring ceiling was nearly empty of furnishings, just a few chairs shrouded in dust sheets clustered in the corners and on a musicians’ dais at one end. Gathering her students into a circle in the center of the room, Caroline pulled an oversized handkerchief from her pocket and initiated a game of Blindman’s Bluff. Corner boundaries to the field of play were marked with their discarded shoes. Within minutes, their grudges were forgotten as they darted and laughed, sliding in their stocking feet on the slick floor. Even Caroline was convinced to take a turn, and she laughed along with the children as she twisted and lunged, trying to find them by their giggles.
    “Over here, miss,” Jamie called from some distance to Caroline’s left.
    “No, over here.” That was Wink, who was so graceful, Caroline couldn’t have heard her steps even if she’d had shoes on.
    “But I’m over here,” Nell’s musical voice called out.
    Piers whistled as he ran from one side of Caroline to the other.
    Caroline spun, reaching for Piers, and slipped, landing on her fanny in a froth of petticoats. Her laughter must have convinced the children she was unharmed, so instead of coming to her aid, they simply stopped moving and giggled as well.
    “What is the meaning of this?” The sharp rap of a brass-tipped ebony stick on the floor instantly dried up all the laughter in the room.
    Caroline slowly peeled the blindfold from her face and turned toward the sound of Mr. Berry’s outraged voice. The tutor and Tommy stood at the far end of the room, dressed in fencing gear. She dipped her head as she rose somewhat clumsily to her feet, her skirts tangling around her ankles. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Would you care to join our game?”
    “We most certainly would not.” Berry looked down his pointed nose, which wriggled, making him look remarkably like an irritated badger. “Please vacate this room at once. Master Thomas must practice his swordsmanship.”
    “Swords?” The hopeful cry went up from all of them, particularly Wink and Jamie. A sinking feeling filled the pit of Caroline’s stomach as she remembered that all of these children were experienced in combat, and had, in fact, defeated monsters, both alive and undead.
    “We want to practice too,” Wink called, running over to Tommy with the others on her heels.
    “Yes, please,” Piers chimed in. “It’s been forever since we’ve gotten to do any fighting. We’re like to forget how.”
    With his good hand, Jamie reached for one of the epees Tommy carried. Nell just stared wide-eyed at Tommy.
    “Leave this room at once.” Crack!
    The hard wooden cane smacked down on Jamie’s hand.
    The lad howled and pulled back, shoving his fingers into his mouth, which only partially muffled his cries.
    Tommy dropped the practice swords and turned on his tutor while Wink raised her arm for a punch, but checked her swing at the last moment.
    “Mr. Berry!” Caroline rushed forward and gathered Jamie close to her hip. “Kindly control your temper, sir. There is no call for that kind of behavior.” To keep herself from striking the man, she knelt beside Jamie and eased his hand from his mouth. “Come, love, let me see your fingers.” She studied them carefully, but could detect no broken bones or swelling, though the poor boy would undoubtedly be bruised.
    “You’ve been told to leave. Now, be gone, before I report this outrage to Sir Merrick.” The tutor sniffed loudly. “Master Thomas, you shall do an extra page of Latin conjugations as punishment for mishandling the fencing