Perilous Journey of the Much-Too-Spontaneous Girl Read Online Free Page B

would want to hear? Not that his daughter was laughed at and tormented because of who she was and where she came from?
    “Well, money is something we must discuss.” His tone turned dark. He looked her up and down. “Please explain this clothing. I arrived last night, and I haven’t seen one other lady wearing anything of this sort. However, I have seen several young men in similar.” His glance was accusatory and suspicious.
    “When our ship went down, I lost everything I brought.” She hesitated before explaining further. It was still hard to think back on that day. “My gown was soaked in seawater and blood. All they had for us to change into on the rescue ship was a flight suit. It was so warm and comfortable, and such a relief to get the soil of the wreck off, I couldn’t resist. I suppose it’s become a symbol of my new life.”
    “Darling, it’s been several months,” he said with eyebrows raised again. “You must know that there are rumors … er … more than just about you leaving home. Now that I see you face to face, I’m beginning to worry these rumors are not without substance.”
    Outil appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray and followed by Jacques. Suddenly the tiny space felt close to bursting.
    “I see the automaton survived. Curious,” her father said.
    “Lord Vadnay,” Outil dipped low, balancing the tray perfectly.
    “At least you aren’t without a servant.” He did not acknowledge her piety. “And you. Explain yourself.” He looked at Jacques, who seemed just as stunned as Marguerite to see her father this early in the morning, two days ahead of schedule.
    “Sir,” Jacques stood tall and offered a small bow in greeting. “I am an instructor in this school and an acquaintance of your daughter, as you will remember from the ball at your home several months ago.”
    Marguerite noticed that he left off the part about being the captain of the ship that was bested by pirates, or the fact that he blew it up and was investigated by a formal inquiry.
    Her father’s face grew dark nonetheless. “Oh, yes. I know who you are.” He turned back to his daughter. “Marguerite, I’d like you to move into my quarters for my duration in New France. I can send a man for your … things.” He looked around the room with disdain once again, his eyes rested on the humble meal Outil was carrying. “And we will get you some proper food.”
    Marguerite’s stomach jerked in upon itself as she fought to get the words out she knew she had to speak. Defying her father in the middle of the night with no one watching was a far cry from openly disobeying him to his face.
    “Father, I … ” she began.
    Jacques stepped forward. “Lady Vadnay actually has a very important examination that will keep her engaged for the rest of the day. She is required to report to the lecture hall within the hour and will complete the exercises sometime in the afternoon.”
    Within the hour …the words made her stomach even more upset. It was almost time. She was almost finished. She just had to get past her father first.
    “Marguerite?” Her father looked at her, his hands on his hips and his chest puffed out. “What is he talking about?”
    “It’s a school, father. I’ve been learning aeronautics and steam engineering. Today is my final examination before I am assigned my own ship to pilot.” She took a deep breath and suddenly felt five years old again, begging for a mechanical pony. “I’m going to be a pilot, father. I’m going to fly!”
    He looked at the ceiling. He looked at the floor. He took a deep breath.
    “Sir, she has attained the top place in her class—academically,” Outil added without mentioning the test flight disaster. “She is the brightest student in the history of the school.”
    “Outil is correct … ” Jacques tried to add.
    “Enough.” He cut them off and then looked at Marguerite. She thought she saw tears welling in his eyes, but he spoke with the authority of a king.