Steam & Sorcery (10 page)

Dorothy nodded. “I think you may be correct. You should call on old Sir Andrew as soon as possible. Rumor has it his health is precarious.” The Deveres, like the Hadrians, were among the direct descendants of King Arthur’s Knights, the founding members of the Order. Sir Andrew had outlived his only son, and the baronetcy was expected to become extinct upon the old man’s death. While a bastard child couldn’t inherit the title, Sir Andrew might be able to acknowledge Tommy and at least leave the boy his family fortunes, which weren’t inconsiderable.

Merrick made a note on his desk blotter. “I will, as soon as I can find time to run up to Oxfordshire. Meanwhile, why do I suspect you wanted more from me than fencing lessons for the girls?”

“Because you know me so well, of course.” She smiled brightly. “I also want Winifred and Caroline to join us for supper. She’s the same age as Tommy, so should be treated accordingly.”

Ah. That had been one of Edwin’s stipulations earlier in the day. Now that he’d ascertained Tommy’s manners were acceptable, Edwin had decided that tutor and pupil would join Merrick and Dorothy for meals. Merrick considered a moment, but knew there was no point in arguing with his aunt over whether girls and boys should be dealt with on an equal basis. He preferred to keep his anatomy intact. “You’re correct, of course. I find no objection to that.” Except for his personal reluctance to be anywhere near the elusively attractive governess. “If Miss Bristol doesn’t mind,
and
if someone else can be found to keep Piers, Jamie and Nell under control, then by all means, invite them.”

“Sally is doing fine with the horde—and her next-oldest sister has applied to become an assistant nursery maid. I think it would behoove us to accept her.”

His staff was growing like a bread mold. Merrick ought to have been terrified, but instead he nodded. “As you wish. If you’ll please inform Miss Bristol?” With that, he turned back to his ledgers and waited until his aunt had left the room.

Miss Bristol marched into his study shortly before dinner, clad in another of her hideous frocks, this one more or less designed for evening, in a rather dingy slate blue. Her feathers appeared to be so distinctly ruffled as to be virtually upright. Merrick was unsurprised. He’d been expecting her for the last two days, but after Edwin’s visit, he knew for a fact she’d be coming to him today.

“I want that man gone,” she said without preamble after seating herself in the chair in front of his desk. “His abuse of the children is intolerable. Thanks to your Mr. Berry, Jamie, who already has a broken left arm, is unable to use any of the fingers on his right hand this evening.”

“What?” Now she’d caught him by surprise. Berry’s tirade this afternoon hadn’t included any injuries. Surely Jamie hadn’t cut himself on a practice sword.

“The man bashed his hand with that ridiculous walking stick and nearly broke several of Jamie’s knuckles. They’re all swollen and bruised.”

“Son of a bitch.” Merrick looked up and winced. “Your pardon, Miss Bristol. Should I send someone for the surgeon?”

She shook her head, ignoring his outburst with a wave of her hand. “They’re not broken, only bruised. I will be honest with you, however. Next time that man strikes a child, he’ll find someone else can hit as well. And I’ll use something heavier than a walking stick.”

“So noted, Miss Bristol. I’ve already informed Mr. Berry that it isn’t to happen again. While he disagrees with your methods of child rearing, he has conceded to my wishes on the matter.” Merrick suppressed a smile. Underneath her mousy clothing, the governess was a spirited woman—something he rather wished he hadn’t noticed, along with her enticing scent or the lovely curves she tried to hide beneath her ugly gowns. He was still convinced there was something mystical about her. Although she seemed unaware of any particular talents, Merrick would still swear she was gifted in some way or another. Was she hiding something, or did she truly not know?

“Thank you, Sir Merrick. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go fetch Wink for supper.” She bustled away without waiting for his approval.

Merrick rubbed his temples again then walked over to a bookshelf. The press of a hidden button rolled back a carved panel, revealing the felt-lined recess. He chose a decanter, popped two chunks of ice from the clockwork freezer bucket into a tumbler and poured himself a drink. Had it really been less than two weeks ago that his home had been a quiet, well-run sanctuary?

Caroline would have much rather stayed upstairs and supervised the nursery supper than be forced to sit across from Mr. Berry. Since there were only six of them, Dorothy had opted for one of the smaller family dining rooms. To her discomfort, Caroline was seated at Sir Merrick’s right. Rather than alternate genders in the seating arrangement, each pupil had been placed beside his or her teacher, meaning Dorothy, at the foot of the table, was flanked by Tommy and Wink.

“So, have you heard of any more vampyres working together?” Wink hadn’t seen her ersatz guardian in days, so her question was natural, though Caroline winced at the outraged expression on Berry’s face.

“We do
not
discuss such things in public.” He glared at Wink before turning to Sir Merrick. “I told you this wasn’t appropriate.”

“A quiet family dinner is hardly public.” Dorothy looked down her nose at the tutor, making Caroline want to cheer. “And the existence of the undead isn’t a state secret. Winifred has a valid question, Merrick. I too would like to hear the answer.”

Sir Merrick sighed. “I’ve made inquiries. A few other…acquaintances have reported similar sightings. It’s most troublesome.”

His expression was so grim Caroline nearly reached her hand over to his to comfort him. Instead, she diverted the motion and lifted her wine glass to her lips. When his dark eyes caught hers, her hand shook, nearly splashing burgundy on the pristine tablecloth.

She cleared her throat and prayed she wasn’t blushing. “If the weather is fine tomorrow, I’d thought to visit the Zoological Gardens at Regent’s Park. You said, Sir Merrick, that there is a carriage we can use for outings?”

“Of course.” He nodded crisply then gazed down at his roast pheasant. “That sounds like a perfectly reasonable educational venture. Perhaps, Edwin, you and Tom may wish to escort them?”

“I think not.” The tutor’s nose wrinkled and twitched, once again reminding Caroline of a badger. “If Thomas is to be ready for university in two, or even three years’ time, then he must apply himself to his classical education.”

Tommy’s face, which had lit up at the prospect, fell. “Yes, Mr. Berry.”

Caroline’s fingers twitched to pick up her knife and hurl it at him, but she simply said, “That’s too bad. Perhaps another time.”

“So tell us Miss Bristol, where were you educated?” Berry lifted one thin lip into a sneer. “Boarding school, one would hope?”

“No, actually I was educated at home, by a succession of governesses and tutors, like many young women.” She turned her face away from him and toward her employer. “Which reminds me, Nell’s musical talent far exceeds my own. Perhaps a vocal instructor can be arranged once a week? And if you’ve any advanced texts on engineering, may we borrow those? Wink has quite outstripped those in the schoolroom.”

“Of course. The library is at your disposal—provided you can keep them from eating and reading simultaneously. Peppermint sticks leave quite a mess.”

“Shouldn’t the girl be learning more feminine skills? Watercolors, perhaps, or embroidery?” Berry sniffed. “Nothing good can come of allowing women into the masculine professions.”

Caroline was slightly shocked to realize the snort she’d heard hadn’t come from her, but from Dorothy. “One more remark like that at my table, Edwin, and you’re out on your ear. I know you’re the best the Order has to offer, but you’ll keep a civil tongue in your head, and you will not indoctrinate Merrick’s wards with your ridiculous views.”

“Aunt!”

“Miss Hadrian!”

Both men shouted at once.

Dorothy shook her head. “Give it up, gentlemen. It’s absurd to imagine the children can keep secrets from one another as well as from an astute governess. Winifred, Caroline, you should know that Merrick and Edwin are both employed by the Crown, working for a secret organization that deals with criminals of both mortal and supernatural natures. Tommy, having the innate abilities required, is being groomed to join that organization when he’s older. I trust I can count on both of you to insure that this information remains private, correct?”

“Of course.” Caroline couldn’t say she was truly shocked. From bits she’d learned about how Merrick had come to take in the children, she’d assumed something of the sort.

Wink nodded. “I won’t say a word—neither will the others. Pardon me saying so, Miss Dorothy, but in Wapping, you learn to keep your mouth closed. You’ve no worries on that score, not from us.”

“I didn’t think so,” Sir Merrick said. “But well put, Winifred. So shall your trip to the zoo provide any ideas for more of your clockwork pets? Does our household require a lion, or perhaps even a griffin or dragon to go with your remarkable watchdog?”

Wink laughed, once again looking and sounding like a normal young girl. “Would you like a pet for Christmas, Sir Merrick? I can quite see you with a panther in a dark, oil-rubbed bronze.”

“Excellent choice, dear.” Dorothy beamed at the girl. “Now what for Miss Caro, do you think? A kitten? A Pekinese?”

Caroline blushed and darted a dagger glance at Mr. Berry. “Since we
are
working on embroidery as well as other skills, I think I’d prefer a nice handkerchief, thank you.”

The footmen cleared the table of their dishes and set what appeared to be a large rotating epergne in the center of the table, full of fruit, nuts and cheeses. With a tap of his white-gloved finger, the head footman set the mechanism in motion. Slowly, the wheel-like device rotated, with various compartments raising and lowering in an intricate dance to offer their contents to each diner in turn.

Caroline watched, mesmerized, while each of the others made their selections, Sir Merrick accepting some sliced apples and a firm cheddar, while Dorothy opted for Stilton and pears. Each time one of the dishes was touched, the mechanism halted, allowing everyone time to serve themselves. Wink was almost too fascinated to bother with the delicacies, though eventually she felt the need to test it. Soon a small pile of nuts and fruit decorated her plate.

“You may investigate the epergne at leisure after the meal, dear.” Dorothy’s smile was wry. “I suspect you’ve chosen more than you’ll be able to eat.”

“And Miss Bristol has taken nothing at all,” Sir Merrick noted. “Is none of it to your liking?”

“I’m fine, Sir Merrick.” She didn’t want to discuss her negative effect on machines in front of her employer and the odious Mr. Berry.

“Oh—she doesn’t want to break the machine.” Wink offered Caroline her own plate. “Have some of mine, Miss Caro.”

“What does she mean, break the machine?” Sir Merrick cocked his head at Wink, while Caroline accepted a few dates and cherries from the girl’s collection.

“It seems that any time I touch something mechanical, it, well, malfunctions,” she admitted, eyes cast down on her plate.

Wink snorted. “George brushed against her arm and popped a spring in his neck. It’s awful. She even uses a regular old broom when she spills something instead of the sweeper.”

“I knew it,” Mr. Berry crowed. “I knew there was something wrong with that female. She’s a bloody sidhe!”

“Excuse me?” Caroline felt her jaw drop. “Mr. Berry, have you lost your mind? Vampyres and other monsters are one thing, but faeries? Surely those are little more than children’s stories. What utter nonsense. I’m a perfectly normal person from Somerset.” Even though she’d never known her father, her mother would have told her if he wasn’t, at the very least, a human being. Wouldn’t she?

“Not full sidhe, of course, but yes, it would explain a great deal.” Sir Merrick actually seemed to be considering the possibility. “The fair folk are known for having a negative effect on modern technology. Miss Bristol, is there a reason why you always style you hair to hide your ears?”

Slowly Caroline lifted her hand and pushed up on the lock of hair carefully secured to cover the top of her ear. Sir Merrick smiled at the tiny point on the tip she revealed. She’d always just considered it an oddity. It had never dawned on her that the slight disfigurement might have meaning.

“Oh.” Dorothy grinned. “Well, it seems you’re even better suited in this household than I’d thought. There’s no need to keep that sort of thing secret here.”

“Clearly you see she can’t be trusted.” Berry’s face had turned bright red, until Caroline feared he was about to explode. “The sidhe are notorious for their vile tricks and selfish magick.”

“Relax, Edwin, before you have an apoplexy.” Sir Merrick gave her an encouraging nod and glared at the tutor. “I doubt our Miss Bristol is more than a quarter faery, and she’s certainly shown no signs of being in league with any of them—unless they also frequent your favorite lending library, aunt?”

Dorothy laughed. “No, I don’t believe so. Though I suspect Caroline’s presence may explain why the philodendron in the library is no longer brown and wilted. Aren’t the sidhe supposed to have a healing touch on living things?”

“They are,” her nephew agreed. “Her presence may also explain why Piers’s cough has cleared up nearly completely in such a short time. And the surgeon is more than pleased with the rate of healing on young Jamie’s fractured arm.”

“Sir Merrick, I really must insist. The Order will not be pleased—”

“The Order can either go hang itself, or it can find us a better governess—equally unlikely. Somehow I doubt anyone will truly care except for a few old fuddy-duddies like yourself, Edwin.” Dorothy stared him down. “You’ve been a worried old man since we were children, but I won’t let your prejudices run my home. Is that perfectly clear?”

They’d known each other as children? This Order, whatever it was, must run deeply through the families involved.

“Sir Merrick?” Berry appealed to the head of the household.

His face set in stern lines, Sir Merrick shrugged. “I judge people on their own merits, Edwin, rather than on their ancestry. Rest assured, Miss Bristol, your position is secure.”

“Thank you, Sir Merrick.” It was only rote manners that prompted her response. Her mind was whirling with this revelation. She didn’t even believe in faeries and elves and leprechauns and such. How could she
be
one?

After they’d finished eating, mostly in various degrees of silence, Dorothy walked upstairs with Caroline and Wink. At the door to her small sitting room, the older woman paused.

“Winifred, I’d like to speak to Miss Caro for a bit. Can you go in and see if Sally needs any help getting the boys ready for bed?”

“Yes, Miss Dorothy.” Wink took a moment to squeeze Caroline’s hand before she left them. “I’m sorry if I caused a fuss.”

“It’s all right, Wink. You did nothing untoward.” Caroline smiled at the girl’s retreating back.

Dorothy ushered Caroline into the sitting room and nudged her down on a chair. “It really will be fine, Caroline. Your heritage makes no difference to Merrick or me. Edwin Berry will get over himself eventually.”

“It just can’t be,” Caroline said. “Surely there’s no such thing as the sidhe.”

“There is. Just as vampyres, werewolves, ghosts and other such creatures are more real than most people care to realize. Unlike vampyres and ghosts, however, faeries and werewolves are living creatures, capable of intermarrying with humans.”

Caroline simply shook her head.

“So you have difficulty with mechanical devices—we shan’t ask you to operate the sewing machine then. Can you ride on a train, or is that too much iron for your senses?”

“I do seem to be an inadvertent Luddite.” She hoped her wince didn’t show. “I have ridden on a train, but each time, I wore heavy gloves and was careful to touch as little as possible. Even so, on one trip the brakes failed on my car. We stopped with a lurch due to the cars ahead of us.”