Mirror Gate by Jeff Wheeler

Author:Jeff Wheeler [Wheeler, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503904712
Publisher: 47North
Published: 2018-08-28T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

REVIVED

After her first encounter with Lieutenant Russell, Cettie did not cross paths with him again for another two days. The seasons were starting to change before her eyes—the rich greens of the hillsides beginning to turn pale brown. The apple trees of the cider orchard were done producing luscious fruit, and fewer bees hovered around the lavender bushes. More and more students were seeking refuge in the shade between classes. They were overdue a spring storm, and Cettie continued to check the storm glass she’d brought to her cabin on the Serpentine. The quicksilver was placid and had not budged.

The second afternoon after her race with Lieutenant Russell, Cettie made her way back toward her aunt’s tempest after her advanced mathematics class, musing about what Sera would think of the man. He was handsome, agreeable, and seemed destined for great things . . . unless Sera’s father was determined to keep him down. Her thoughts so distracted her she didn’t notice Mr. Skrelling’s approach as he fell in next to her. Finally, he had to cough into his fist to get her attention.

“Ahem¸ Miss Cettie, how are you?” He cleared his throat noisily.

Although she was startled by his sudden appearance, she concealed her alarm. “I am well enough, Mr. Skrelling. It’s a pleasant afternoon.”

“A bit warm for my taste,” he answered, tugging at his high collar and the knotted tie. He was perspiring copiously, but she judged it wasn’t altogether due to the temperature.

“What class did you have just now?” she asked, trying to be pleasant.

“Advanced rhetoric,” he answered promptly. “That is a required course for one seeking a profession in Law. I intend to resume my employment at Sloan and Teitelbaum following my studies here, but ultimately, I think it would be more beneficial to open my own practice. I am a man of no small ambition.”

“I could tell,” Cettie said, keeping her voice neutral.

“And of course, I would never consider leaving Sloan and Teitelbaum until your case is satisfactorily resolved. I was only suggesting what my plans are for the future. The Law can be quite profitable.” His voice was nervous, his tone slightly agitated. He was working up his courage to tell her something. Cettie dreaded what it might be.

“I imagine so,” she answered softly. Some other students were smirking at them.

“Do you, ahem, have plans for after you leave Muirwood? Will you be a governess, perhaps?”

She gave him a bold look. “How did you know about that?”

He looked startled by her suspicious tone. “I didn’t know, not exactly. Just a rumor I’d heard. I have a knack for remembering details, which is a good attribute to have in an advocate, I’d remind you.” His tone was defensive. “I confess I employed a trick of the trade, as they say, in getting you to confess. I knew your reaction to the rumor would either confirm or deny it. In this case, it confirms it.”

“That is rather underhanded, don’t you think, Mr. Skrelling?”

“Underhanded, ma’am?”

“Dishonest. Why not just

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