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"Yes," said the earl’s wife, deadpan, "I daily face a similar dilemma, frequently when he and I are in conversation What has he gone and done now?"

Professor Lyall s like that It is si northward as far as Farthinghoe"

Alexia frowned at this new infor in the sahtly ahead of him"

"And he doesn’t know that, does he?"

Lyall shook his head

"That fanored this and said, "Don’t know quite how it’sso fast The trains have been down since yesterday--strike Trust the daylight folk to become inefficient at a time like this"

"By coach, perhaps?"

"Could be It see quickly I should like to make the earl aware of this information, but there is no way to contact hiow offices Not to ’s blather about the boat ride over This thing is ht overtake it?"

The Beta shook his head again "Not at the rate it isto push this run If it keeps traveling north at the rate I predict, it will hit Scotland several days before he does I have sent a note to our agents in the north, but I thought you should knoell, as muhjah"

Alexia nodded

"Will you inform the other members of the Shadow Council?"

Lady Maccon frowned at that "I do not think that is entirely wise just yet I think itYou should file a report, of course, but I shall not go out of my way to tell the potentate and the dewan"

The Beta nodded and did not inquire as to her reasons

"Very well, Professor Lyall If there is nothing else, I should be off I have need of Lord Akeldaave her an unreadable look "Well, I suppose so, Lady Maccon"

Alexia left without ever having shown Professor Lyall her new parasol

CHAPTER FIVE

Lord Akeldama’s Latest

Lord Akelda to receive Alexia Despite the rudeness of her unannounced visit, he seeenuinely pleased to see her It was difficult to tell through the vampire’s self-consciously frivolous ht she detected real wars

The ancient vareet her, both arentleman at ho jacket, opera scarf, long trousers, and soft-soled derbies For Lord Akeldama, this meant that the jacket was of pristine white silk with black embroidered birds of soht peacock-patterned teal, the trousers the latest in tight-fitting black jacquard, and the shoes cut in a flashy wingtip style with a black and white spectator coloration that was held byAlexia How fortuitous I have just received delivery of the ive me your expert opinion!" Lord Akeldaiven naht they met And yet, Alexia realized for the first tirip, she had no idea what his was

At the preternatural contact, Lord Akeldama turned from supernaturally beautiful, his skin ice white and his blond hair shining gold, to theman he had once been before his metamorphosis

Lady Maccon kissed hih he were a child "And how are you this evening, ainst her,his animated chatter "Perfectly splendid, my little tea biscuit, perfectly splendid There is aabout London town, and I am immersed in the thick of it You kno I do so dearly love a mystery" He kissed her back, a loud smack to the forehead, and then released her hands to curl his arm affectionately with hers

"And it has certainly been all abuzz around my humble little abode since the excitement of yesterday" He led her into said abode, which was anything but huant arched and frescoed hallith ods "I suppose, you know all about it, you high-powered political daffodil, you"

Alexia loved Lord Akelda room, not that she could tolerate it in her own house, but it was a nice place to visit It was quite old-fashioned in appearance, white and gilded gold like so of pre-Napoleonic times

The va possession of a gold brocade love seat with tasseled triracefully into her place Lady Maccon seated herself in an armchair nearby, one that felt deliciously thronelike

"Well,cup, Biffy told ht" Lord Akelda of white powder and pink blush "Quite the bedtime romance"

Lady Maccon was not certain she wanted to hear this story "Oh, uh, did he? Where is Biffy, by the way? Is he about?"

Lord Akeldalass was, of course, plain Like all vampires, he had perfect vision "La, the troubleso mischief somewhere not too far away, I am certain He is in a bit of a kerfuffle over a necktie, but never mind that; you must permit me to tell you what he saw yester eve"

Lady Maccon forestalled hiht we send round an invitation to a new acquaintance I have made? I should very much like the two of you to know one another"

That stalled Lord Akeldahtful Who is he?"

"She is one Madahtly at that "I did hear you had been hat shopping recently"

Alexia gasped "How did you know that? Oh, how vexatious! Do you mean to say that you are already acquainted with the lady? Mada to that effect"