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Floote, having fol owed Professor Lyal in from the street, tipped his hat to the Frenchwoman in such a way as to indicate mild censure, which Lyal supposed stemmed from the fact that he did not approve of her choice of attire and never had

"Lady Maccon’s ht be acceptable" Lyal set his hat careful y down on the edge of the sales counter, where it would not look as though it were part of the stock It was a favorite hat "You are aware that he was valet to Lady Maccon’s father? If we are going to discuss what I believe we are going to discuss, his input ht prove invaluable"

"Was he real y? Of course, I kneas butler to the Loontwil s before Alexia’sfurther" Madame Lefoux looked with renewed interest at Floote, who re that has happened, up to a point, probably has so to do with Alessandro Tarabotti" Professor Lyal drew her attention back to hi this i of Alexia’s?"

"Isn’t that always the way of things with preternaturals? Should we go somewherefront s made the Beta feel uncomfortably exposed He would feel round contrivance chamber

Madame Lefoux put down her work "Yes, Alexia wil knohere to find us If you would like to--"

She was cut off by a knock sounding at the shop door Bel s jingled charer-haired young blunt entered the rooht red plaid breeches, gaiters, and a wide smile that had the unmistakable air of the theater about it

"Ah, Tunstel , of course" Professor Lyal was not surprised at this addition to Lady Maccon’s little gathering

Floote gave Lord Maccon’s forer a nod Then he slipped past hin He’d only lately been made Alexia’s personal secretary and librarian; before that he’d been a very good butler So out of a fel ow, especial y where doors were concerned

"What ho, Professor? Lady Maccon’s note didn’t say you’d be here What a pleasure, indeed How’s the old wolf?" Tunstel doffed his hat and gave the asserin

"Floppy"

"You don’t say? I should think, fro about the countryside, threatening to tear folk li to his topic, striding around the roo into hats He had recently earned himself a reputation as an actor of some note, but even before his fame, his mannerisms had leaned markedly in the dramatic direction

A humorless little smile crossed Madaesticulation "Not taking the lad to hear it" It wasn’t exactly rude of her to interrupt TunstelThe redhead was a well - fel oith a perpetual y jovial disposition and an undeniable stage presence, but, it must be adhed heavily "He has been intoxicated these last three days"

"Good gracious me! I wasn’t even aware of the fact that olves could become intoxicated" The Frenchwoman’s scientific interest was piqued

"It takes some considerable effort and real al ocation of resources"

"What was he drinking?"

"For I deduced his source It is h al of my reserves and then demolished half my specimen col ection before I realized what he was up to I keep a laboratory, you see, on Woolsey Castle grounds in a converted gaitimate professor?" Mada in newfound respect

"Not as such Aist, to be precise"

"Oh"

Professor Lyal looked modestly proud "I am considered a bit of an expert on the procreative practices of Ovis orientalis aries "

"Sheep?"

"Sheep"

"Sheep!" Madah she were suppressing an inclination to giggle

"Yes, as in baaaa " Professor Lyal frowned Sheep were a serious business, and he failed to see the source of Madame Lefoux’s amusement

"Let me understand this correctly You are a ith a keen interest in sheep breeding?" A little bit of a French accent trickled into Madalee