The Book of Spells (Private 0.50)

“Yesterday I caught Clarissa Pommer and Jane Barton coming out of the general store in town, toting several small bottles of oils and a jar of imported figs,” the headmistress stated, leaning down so that her face hovered just between the two girls. “And when I returned from town, I spied Viola and Bia Hirsch gathering wildflowers out on the meadow.”

Eliza dared not move a muscle, but she slid her gaze toward Theresa. Apparently the girl had assigned more errands than she’d admitted to. Theresa shook her head so slightly, the move was almost imperceptible. The headmistress stood up straight again and strode around her desk until she was standing right in front of her own image. She laced her fingers together at her waist and stared down at Eliza and Theresa.

“I know you ladies are up to something,” she said vehemently. “Tell me what it is.”

Eliza felt as if her heart was pounding inside her mouth, filling her cheeks and choking off her air supply. She was going to be sick or finally faint dead away. Miss Almay knew. She knew. Eliza reached up to tug at the gold chain holding her locket in place, feeling suddenly as if it was trying to choke her.

“If I may speak, Miss Almay?” Theresa said, in her most falsely sweet voice.

“Of course, Miss Billings,” Miss Almay replied. “It is why I’ve brought you here, after all.”

“Well, with all due respect, of course, Miss Almay,” Theresa began.

Eliza closed her eyes.

“If you would like an explanation on the activities of Clarissa, Jane, Viola, and Bia, then why are they not here?” Theresa asked, lifting her chin. “Why question the two of us?”

Miss Almay’s eyes narrowed. “Because, Miss Billings, I am not a fool,” she snapped. “Those girls look up to the two of you. You seem to have a power over them that is . . . almost unnatural.”

At this, Eliza’s throat completely closed over. She tried to hold back a cough, but found she simply could not do it. She covered her mouth with her fist and doubled over in her chair, her lungs racked.

“Eliza! Are you all right?” Theresa asked with false concern.

Miss Almay snapped her fingers at the office door. Instantly Mrs. Hodge appeared and raced to pour out a cup of water at the sideboard beneath the window.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Eliza choked out, waving away the proffered water. “It’s just a tickle.”

Mrs. Hodge placed the glass of water atop Miss Almay’s desk. The moment she stepped back, Eliza grabbed it and gulped it down, biding her time. Not until she replaced the empty glass on the desk again did Miss Almay speak.

“Ever since your stunt at the welcome, Miss Billings, lateness has been in fashion,” she said. “And you, Miss Williams, seem to have inspired an influx of patrons to our library.”

Eliza stared at the woman. It was hard to believe that as head of a school, she saw heightened interest in books as a bad thing.

“And I know you two were behind that late-night jaunt to Easton,” she continued. “I saw the two of you wait for the others to return to Crenshaw before you brought up the rear. Why would you do that unless you were the ringleaders?”

Eliza glanced at Theresa out of the corner of her eye, annoyed. Of that, she was falsely accused.

“I am certain that whatever is going on with those girls, the two of you are responsible,” Miss Almay said. “Rest assured, I will put a stop to it.”

Eliza stared up at her and a sudden hatred surged through her heart so strongly it shocked her. This was the woman who had squelched May’s spirit and sent her back to Eliza a changed, meek girl. And now here she was, accusing Eliza and Theresa of manipulating their friends, with no real evidence to support the claim.

“We are responsible for no one other than ourselves, Miss Almay,” Eliza said firmly. “I respectfully suggest that if you wish to learn more about those girls and their actions, you ask them.”

Theresa looked at Eliza, stunned. Miss Almay simply froze. She was so still, Eliza couldn’t even tell if she was breathing. Her pupils dilated with anger so that her eyes looked almost black. For a moment it looked as though she was going to reach out and strike Eliza. But then she moved to the door and opened it. “That will be all, girls,” she said.

Eliza and Theresa scrambled to their feet and were out the door so fast, they didn’t even think to bid the headmistress good day. They were mere steps into the hall when the heavy oak door slammed behind them.

“What was that?” Theresa asked Eliza as they scurried toward the main hallway. She sounded impressed. “I’ve never seen you so—”

“So like you?” Eliza shot back.

Theresa blinked. “You say it as if it’s a bad thing.”

“Good or bad, I had to get us out of there somehow,” Eliza replied.

Theresa leaned back against the wall, crossed her arms over her chest, and looked Eliza up and down. “I may have underestimated you, Eliza Williams.”

Eliza felt a surprising flutter of pride over Theresa’s approval.