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Being of the supernatural set, and rather confirmed in their habits and ways, the Maccons defied the breakfast bell and all tenets of fellow traveler obligation by undressing and taking to bed Alexia figured the acting troupe was also likely to keep to nighttiypt was to pay court on a vampire, she saw no reason to alter the entire pattern of her e No doubt the creas accustomed to such idiosyncratic behavior She left very clear orders with regard to ht, so even if Prudence did awaken, the infant couldn’t cause more harm than any ordinary precocious toddler Thus Alexia felt coratefully into Conall’s welcome embrace The world outside could await her pleasure

Lady Maccon awakened late that afternoon She dressed herself asher husband Poor Conall, he looked as though he’d been hit by a train

The designated nursery was quiet and still, but a certain waving of arh not inclined to cry and unsettle her companions Lord Akeldama had noted, on more than one occasion, that while Prudence’s peculiar abilities ood-natured child He then flattered Alexia by saying this rather reminded him of her

Alexia made her way over to the cot and looked in

"Mahted

"Shush," admonished her mother "You will awaken the others"

The nurse all right?"

"Yes, thank you, Mrs Dawaud-Plonk I think I’ll take Prudence doithto the necessities?"

"Of course, madam" The nursemaid whisked Prudence off behind an Oriental screen in one corner of the cabin The infant e a fresh nappy and a pretty dress of cerulean muslin with a fur cape for warmth and a French-style hat She looked quite smart and a little mystified by the rapidity hich she had been dressed So, indeed, was Alexia Such efficiency in relation to her daughter was a hest order

"I see why Ivy values your services so highly, Mrs Dawaud-Plonk"

"Thank you, Lady Maccon"

"You aren’t, by any chance, related to my butler, Mr Floote, are you?"

"I am afraid not, madam"

"I had no idea there could beI should warn you, as you are likely to have care of my child as well as the twins over the next feeeks, that Prudence has some very unusual habits"

"Madam?"

"Special"

"Every child is special in his or her oay, madam"

"Ah, yes, well, Prudence can be quite special indeed Please try to keep her froets overly excitable"

The nurseood, ether they went to explore the ship

Up top, the day proved still dreary The as running fierce and cold and there was nothing to see but whitecaps atop a darkened ocean Alexiain the correct direction

"Brrr," was Prudence’s eloquent comment

"Indeed, most inclement weather"

"Pttttt"

"Exactly, let us adjourn elsewhere"

She switched Prudence to her other hip and made her way to the forward section of the stea room and the library were situated

Unsure as to the wakefulness of her party, Lady Maccon visited the library first for so so that if she did have to dine alone, she ht have some kind of intellectual discourse Prudence was not quite yet up to her mother’s standard of debate The library was of questionable curation, but she found a scientific , if not entirely appropriate to dining The cover was innocuous enough, and there were soued Prudence Alexia was enough her father’s daughter to relax so as scientific inquiry was the result If Prudence was interested in anato very nearly teatientleman in the far corner Lady Maccon was about to settle on the opposite side of the roo it a standard of common decency not to inflict a child on anyone, least of all a lone gentleentle that he was Mada to appear rude, Alexia wended through the chairs and tables to join her

Lady Maccon settled Prudence on her lap The infant stared at Madame Lefoux with interest "Foo?"

"Good afternoon, Miss Prudence, Alexia"

"No," objected Prudence

"It’s her latest word," explained Alexia, distracting her child with the book "I’m not entirely certain she knohat it means How have you settled in, Genevieve?"

A steward appeared at Lady Maccon’s elboith a small scrap of paper on which was printed the co approach to food service," she said, fluttering the parabbed at it

"Saves the bother of having to hold everything in stock for the entirety of a journey and at the whiers," replied the Frenchwoman

Alexia was not interested in commerce, only tea "A pot of Assam, if you would be so kind One of the apple tarts and a cup of war man "Do you have any cinnamon sticks by chance?" The steward nodded "Infant, do you want cinnamon?"

Prudence looked at her mother, her tiny rosy lips pursed Then she nodded curtly

"Shave some cinnamon on top for her, would you, please? Thank you"

The steward moved srahter’s dress Then she sat back and took in her surroundings

If not exactly decorated with Lord Akelda hall at least bowed to Biffy’s taste There was gilt and brocade aplenty, if judiciously applied The roo a deck, rather like a greenhouse, for there were large s all around showing the gloomy outside

"So what do youaside her papers and favoring Alexia with a dimpled smile just like the old days