Free The Miss Education of Dr. Exeter by Jillian Stone Page B

as a crescent moon and as sly as a Cheshire cat. “Both ins and outs. Accurate to within inches of our map coordinates. Oakley helped install a new computer—the brains of the engine.” Tim was obviously enthused and nearly tripping over his words. “Just give me a day or two and we may be able to extract Phaeton from wherever he is. Just— whoosh ! And he’s home again.”
    Exeter clapped his mouth shut and stared. “How likely might this be?”
    Tim’s eyes rolled upward as he considered his answer.
    “Last call, all aboard for Dover Priory.” The conductor’s shout accompanied a low whistle and blast of steam as the train began to leave the station. Exeter checked up and down the deserted platform. “Quickly, Tim.”
    The large young man fished in his pocket and produced a tubular device encrusted with toggle switches. “Here—take this.” He pushed the contraption into Exeter’s hand, as he jumped onto the first step of the passenger car. “It’s a new and improved portable transporter, programmed to send you all back home.” Tim trotting alongside the moving car. “Not Outremer London—1889 London.”
    Mia lowered a window. “Are you both mad? We’re about to leave without you.”
    Exeter opened the compartment door and climbed in. “Mr. Noggy will be joining us in a day or two.”
    “Chocolate-covered cinder toffee?” Mia leaned out the window and dropped a few chunks of honeycombed toffee into the man’s palm. As Exeter settled down beside her, she waved. “ Au revoir, Tim.”
    Mia opened the tin. “Cinder toffee?” To please her, he bit into a piece as he unfolded his newspapers. “Why isn’t Tim joining us?” she asked.
    Exeter snapped open his news sheet. “Because . . . it appears he may be joining us in Paris via the portal maker.” Exeter lowered his paper to speak to both young ladies. “Mr. Noggy believes we may be able to locate and extract Phaeton using the iDIP.”
    America perked up. “Much safer in some ways. But do you believe he can do it?”
    Exeter smiled. “That is why we continue on to Paris, undeterred.” America was skeptical. Frankly, he couldn’t blame her. Her distrust was natural, and rather shrewd. She and Phaeton had survived a myriad of trials recently—put to the test, so to speak, by a powerful entity known only as Prospero. Was this creature man or beast? Magician or scientist?
    The trip to Dover started out pleasant enough. Somewhere past Chatham Station, the skies opened up, but the rainstorm proved mild and the young ladies excellent company. As they traversed the lush greenery of Kent, Exeter tried to relax. He was edgy, more so than usual, and he was quite sure his discomfiture was caused by the lovely young miss beside him. With each lurch or sway of the car, her shoulder brushed against him. And with each rub, the faint scent of carnation soap wafted in the air. Mia had simply become a torture to him. In fact, if he continued to have such lascivious thoughts about her he was going to be irritable the entire trip, and that would not do.
    He felt a nudge as the minxy, adorable young lady pressed close. “Have you given any consideration to our sleeping arrangements this evening?” Mia whispered.
    Somewhat taken aback at her choice of topics, he checked the young woman across the aisle. America had made a pillow of her travel duster and had drifted off for a nap. He leaned close to his ward and changed the subject. “America is no doubt expecting her usual inclusion in this operation, but I must protect her from herself. Phaeton would never forgive me if she or the child were injured—what am I saying? I couldn’t forgive myself. If I deny her participation, she’s likely to balk or, worse, strike out on her own.”
    Mia arched a brow. “So . . . you want me to stay close, shadow her without making her feel as though she’s being mollycoddled.”
    Exeter nodded. “There will be times I will ask you both to stay behind. Other times, I