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Alexia squealed, half in fear, half in irritation, and began hitting at the creatures as hard and as fast as she could within the confines of the carriage, at the sa to think of soht help her in this particular situation For so protective measures in its anthroscopy The toxic h territory to catch theuarantee either the lapis solaris or the lapis lunearis solutions would have any effect on the creatures Those liquids were designed to elianics, not metals, and the red and black shel looked to be so enamel or lacquer
She struck out and whacked at threethe parasol by its tip and wielding it as though it were a croquetwith the creatures, al atte antennae into soot perilously close to her arm before she punched it away Another climbed al the way to her stomach and struck, only to be thwarted by the leather belt of her traveling dress
She yel ed for help, hoping al the banging and clattering she waswould convince the driver to stop and come to her rescue, but he see her parasol options The nu dart was use-less, and the metal and wooden stakes equal y so It was then that she renetic disruption field emitter Desperately, she flipped the accessory around to its nor the handle for the one carved lotus petal that protruded slightlyit with her thu the es had iron parts, for the disruption field did as designed and seized up their netic components The beetles, in deference to their nature, al stopped in their tracks and turned upside-down, little ainst their undersides just as ordinary dead beetles rateful thank-you to Mada the e the ladybugs out the carriagebefore the disruption field wore off, careful not to touch those sticky, dripping antennae Her skin shivered in disgust
The driver, final y discerning that soer, drew up the carriage, jumped down froet bonked on the head with a discarded ladybug
"Al right there, Lady Maccon?" he asked, giving her a pained look and rubbing his forehead
"Don’t just stand there waffling!" instructed her ladyship, as though she wasn’t bu only to throw enors out of its s "Drive on, you cretin! Drive on!"
Best get ht Alexia, until I’er And I need a mo, only to be forestal ed by a "Wait! I’ve changed my mind Take me to the nearest teahouse"
The man returned to his post with an expression that spoke volus over ho the aristocracy had fal en He clicked the horses into a trot and pul ed the carriage back out into London traffic
Shoorthy forethought, Alexia felt, under such trying circue pink hatbox, drawing the cords tight In her agitation, she accidental y du topper with burgundy ribbon) out theHer precautionary measures were undertaken none too soon, for the disruption field wore off and the hatbox began to shake violently
The bug wasn’t sophisticated enough to escape, but it would keep skittering about inside its new prison
Just to be certain, Lady Maccon stuck her head out theto look behind and see if the other ladybugs continued their pursuit They were trundling in confused circles in the undy ribbons trailing behind It h of relief, Alexia sat back, placing one hand firle Tea Shop on Cavendish Square was a popular watering hole a was a popular tihted at the curb, instructed the driver to meet her at Chapeau de Poupe in two hours’ time, and then dashed inside The streets were not yet busy, so she would have to wait out the quietest part of the day until the real shopping began
The inside of Lottapiggle was, however, quite as crowded as Alexia ht want No one would dare attack her further there Unfortunately, while she had otten her ruined reputation, no one else in London had, and ladybugs weren’t the only kinds of ladies with vicious tendencies
Lady Maccon was al owed in, seated, and served, but the twitching hats and excited chattering of the woht of her The hats craned about eagerly, and the chattering evolved into whispered commentary and very pointed looks One or two hters, stood and left in a rustle of deeply offended dignity Most, however, were far too curious to see Lady Maccon and were quite giddy at being in her disgraced presence They basked in the delectable shock of the latest and greatest scandal cal theht be attributed to the fact that said lady was carrying with her a ticking, quivering hatbox, which she proceeded to place careful y on the seat next to her and then tie to the seat back with the strap of her reticule for security
As though the hatbox ht try to escape At that, al expressions indicated that the tea-swil ing ladies felt Lady Maccon had lost her sense along with her reputation
Alexia ignored thes back in order and soothe her ladybug-addled nerves with the necessary application of a hot beverage
Feeling ht decisions that resulted in her requesting pen and paper from the hostess She dashed off three quick notes and then settled in to wait out the lazy part of thebut an occasional lurch fro Chapeau de Poupe, Professor Lyal thought that the proprietress was looking a little tired and substantial y older than when he’d seen her last This was peculiar, as on al their previous encounters, the lady inventor had possessed that indefatigably French air of agelessness Of the kind, of course, that did not coeless She was dressed in her usual odd attire--that is to say, ly inappropriate, but so to expect such eccentricities from artists, authors, and now mil iners That said, Madame Lefoux may have been dressed as astylish about it, erays and blues
Professor Lyal approved
Madareen silk bonnet she was tri with satin roses "Ah, she wanted to see you as well ? Very good Sensible of her"
The establishment was devoid of custoear, probably because a polite little sign on the door indicated it was currently closed to visitors The hats were beautiful y arranged, displayed not on stands but dangling at the ends of gold chains attached to the arched ceiling far above They fel to different heights so that one had to brush through thehtly as Professor Lyal did so, si undersea forest
Professor Lyal took off his hat and bowed "Sent a note a few hours ago She has her ht Woolsey’s librarian with you?" Madame Lefoux’s perfectly tended eyebrows arched in surprise "That is unexpected"