“Hence mine.” Effie’s voice held no humor. This wasn’t the first time Miss Corvus had expressed such sentiments. She’d had fixed intentions for both Effie and Nell when she’d taken them. She was a woman who was rarely without a plan. One for whom an orphan girl was a tool rather than an object of Christian charity.

“Ironic, isn’t it?” Miss Corvus mused. “To think, I reared up a falcon who is afraid of heights.”

Effie concealed a flinch. She had wondered how long it would be before Miss Corvus brought up her prevailing flaw. The very one that had resulted in Nell being so grievously injured all those years ago.

Suppressing her guilt, Effie affected an air of unconcern. “Even the great Achilles had a single weakness.”

“His undoing, as I recall. In your case, it has so far only been the ruin of Miss Trewlove. See that it isn’t yours as well.”

“Is that why you summoned me back?” Effie asked. “Do you want me scaling walls and peeping into high windows? If that’s your grand idea, I take leave to tell you that you have chosen the wrong girl.”

“Don’t be impertinent,” Miss Corvus said. “Remember to whom you are speaking.”

Effie fell quiet. She regarded Miss Corvus in mutinous silence.

“That’s better.” Miss Corvus blotted her lips with her handkerchief. Droplets of perspiration had gathered on her brow, and there was an unhealthy flush in her cheeks, as though the simple act of conversing had overtaxed her.

Nell had mentioned an illness, but she hadn’t put a name to it. It occurred to Effie that the complaint might be something rather more serious than a trifling cold or fever.

“Madame Dalhousie has sent regular reports of your conduct,” Miss Corvus said, lowering her handkerchief. “She claims you have left your propensity for chaos behind. That you have been a diligent companion; a keen observer and a quick learner. She also says you have garnered a legion of admirers. I trust you have not become entangled with any of them?”

Effie scorned at the suggestion. “Indeed, I have not.”

Any flirtation she’d indulged in during her time abroad had been in the manner of practice, not an exercise in passion. She’d been honing her skills, toying with the very gentlemen who sought to heartlessly toy with her. It had been no great feat. Quite the opposite, the male sex made it all too easy. They insisted on underestimating women. On believing young ladies were prey, rather than predator.

“I would expect nothing less,” Miss Corvus said. “You were always adept at transforming yourself to suit your company. It will serve you well in your next position.”

A flare of disappointment caught Effie unaware. “A new position?”

“You were expecting something else?”

“I have been nearly five years in Paris. I thought—”

Miss Corvus’s mouth curved. “That you had earned your stipend?”