The Copper Spyglass Nursery

by Michele Ryan

“Miss Clara,” Emmitt said. “I apologize.”

  She waved him off. “You and the others have caught Ezra and I or Jonah and Annabelle in more compromising situations. Don’t fret.”

  “What is this thing you wish to discuss?” Andres approached. “Has something happened we should be aware of?”

  “No, nothing,” she hurried to assure them. “There is something I wish to do, is all.”

  He nodded. “Very well.”

  “What did you want to do?” Ezra appeared behind her with Grant. “Do you need my help?”

  She shook her head. Her heart pounded. She’d almost been caught trying to plan a surprise for her mate. “No, it’s nothing. All is well. I just had some ideas about Frazer. I thought we could discuss them, with everyone, later.”

  Ezra gave a solemn nod. “We can. Is Seh asleep?”

  “Oh yes, full belly and all.” She smiled, catching the curious glances of Emmitt and Andres. “If you’ll excuse me.” She stood to leave. Bugger it, as Annabelle would say. She pressed a quick kiss to Ezra’s cheek then one to Grant’s forehead. “Mr. Dunn, Mr. Enright, would you like some tea?”

  “Some of your favorite, if you don’t mind?” Emmitt gave her a small smile.

  “I agree,” Andres said. “Did you buy it from the Chinaman?”

  She arched a brow, curious why he’d began making small talk as she tried to extricate herself from the situation. “I might have.”

  “Ah, very good.” He eased onto the settee beside Emmitt.

  Clara exited without waiting to see if anyone had anything else to say. She hurried to the kitchen and found Miss Jemmy putting the finishing touches on their dinner. The smell of spiced meat with boiled potatoes and leeks filled the space. A teapot sat on the small wooden block, almost as if the young girl anticipated her arrival.

  “It smells wonderful in here, Miss Jemmy.” Clara grabbed the tray of teacups from the sideboard.

  “Thank you. Harriet is showing me how to do a few simple recipes on my own. I believe it should all be ready whenever you are,” Miss Jemmy answered. “Will you be dining in here or in the library like always?”

  “I believe we’ll eat in here,” Clara answered. “I am hoping to catch the others.” Perhaps she’d gone about her mission all wrong. Since Ezra and the men would be talking strategy for the evening, she could speak with Annabelle and Norah. “Would you care to join us?”

  Jemmy blinked. She stood there, a shocked expression on her face. Clara would laugh if it were funny, but instead she frowned. The girl was part of the family. It would seem it was time to show her. Later, she would speak to Omer about relieving Jemmy of her duties and find another person to help them. “Well?”

  Jemmy shook her head. “I’m sorry, Miss. I would love to. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Clara stated. “I’ll be right back. I’ll send Grant in to help set the table. Please set the other kettle on the stove. This is for Mr. Enright and Mr. Dunn. We’ll also be serving the men in the library.”

  “Of course,” Miss Jemmy answered.

  When she returned, Norah had arrived as well as Annabelle with a cranky Kellen in her arms. She took the bundle from her friend and brought him over to the warming cove near the fireplace. Jemmy was by her side with a bottle almost instantly. She took it with a soft, “thank you,” then began to feed the ornery boy.

  “We’re gathering in here,” she said as Kellen latched on to the rubber nipple. “I have something to discuss with all of you.”

  Norah and Annabelle sat at the table with her. The boy in her arms reminded her of Seh in a way, only a bit lighter in skin color with golden ringlets of hair. Pretty soon, he would be eating solid foods. The boy settled in quickly, giving Clara time to talk to her friends.

  “What’s the problem?” Norah tucked into the food on her plate, then gave an approving sigh.

  “Nothing is wrong,” Clara stated. “I...we’ve been so involved, I thought maybe we could go to the World Fair.”

  Annabelle tilted her head to the side. “You’re serious.”

  “Of course I’m serious. We’ve not rested since Wright or Marbella. We’re chasing Frazer now. We have a sneaky reporter also snooping around. The men are falling into our beds dead tired by the time they do sleep...”

  “Well, we do die,” Annabelle joked.

  “Speak for yourselves,” Norah snarked. “My bed is empty.”

  Clara arched a brow. “I’ve caught Donovan coming out of your room a time or two.”

  “Blowing off steam.” She brushed off Clara’s assessment.

  “Can we get back to the task at hand?” Annabelle said. “If we do this, it has to be at night.”

  Clara nodded. “I agree.”

  “We could say we’re tracking Frazer,” Miss Jemmy said, coming over to the table.

  “Fantastic idea,” Annabelle replied. “It will get the men out of the house without asking a million questions.”

  “I can take the children,” Jemmy added. “I don’t mind. Between Lular and Master Grant, we should be able to stay out of the way.”

  “We can leave separately,” Annabelle added. “Meet up there.”

  Which would mean explaining the truth then. Clara frowned. “I don’t think telling them about Frazer would work. Ezra has reservations about Grant doing as he does. Perhaps we should keep the Frazer bit out of this?”

  Annabelle pursed her lips while Norah gave a curt nod. This was supposed to be about having fun and not allowing anything to interfere with their time away from protecting the city. For one night, they could give the Metropolitan Police a moment to do their job instead.

  “You’re right, Annabelle said. “We’ll do this your way, and if anything happens, we’re all together.”

  Yes. Now, all they had to do was make sure nothing happened.

  Chapter Five

  Tonight was to be a night of fun. Clara had deemed it so when they woke, and Ezra had gladly gone along with it, after having a lengthy conversation with Jonah and Mr. Cause about being absent from the house for the evening. Why her mate felt the need to get assurances from the other man had not been missed by Clara, and although she didn’t like it, she understood it. They were all knee-deep trying to find Fraser. The Vampire, it seemed was very good at being a ghost. Even the tracking spell she and Annabelle toiled away on had produced nothing.

  Though the evening would be dangerous with Frazer lurking in whatever corner he wanted, together they would watch one another’s backs. Plus, if Frazer decided to hunt at the fair, well, they too would be there to stop him. In the end, it seemed like a plausible way to work and also in need of a bit of respite. So, there they were, driving their steam carriage to West Brompton to experience the America Exhibit in the World’s Fair.

  Grant sat beside Clara, practically bouncing in his seat with excitement, while Seh slept quietly in her arms. “How long till we arrive?” Grant glanced up at her.

  “Any moment, I’m sure.” Clara shook her head in wonder. Grant lived with a vampire, a reanimated man, an immortal, a mad scientist/deranged man, an unseen man, a spector and a fiend, yet he was almost ravenous to see the Wild Bill show.

  Ezra chuckled beside her.

  Her mate was also elated, although he downplayed it exceedingly well. Clara had not missed the wide smile he had given her when she informed him of tonight’s plans. Both of them missed their home country and neither of them was able to return at this time. This would be the closest they would get, at least for now.

  They had left immediately after finishing their evening meal, knowing the streets leading in would get congested with those wanting to see Buffalo Bill Cody show featuring none other than Annie Oakley.

  “Seh will be okay?” Clara did not miss the worry in Ezra’s tone.

  “Fresh air is very good for his health. And mine,” she added. Since their conversation, Ezra had been on edge with worry. She didn’t blame him. They were, in effect, putting everyone at risk by going out at night
. However, they were also protected. They could defend themselves, and Frazer wouldn’t be stupid enough to attack in front of the masses.

  “There will be a lot of people there, I’m sure,” Ezra said.

  “Yes. I’m sure there will be. Charlie was kind enough to pack the wicker baby carriage. Seh will be fine.” Clara assured her mate once again.

  The steam carriage, which had been going at a fine pace, slowed to almost a crawl. “I believe we are getting close.” Ezra pulled the curtain aside to peek out.

  Grant craned his neck at the window, giving a low whistle. “The street is all backed up with carriages. And, the lights. Colors. It’s brilliant.”

  “It might be best if we disembarked here and walked the remaining blocks to the Exhibit,” Clara suggested.

  Ezra made quick work of removing the baby carriage from their steam-driven vehicle, and Grant held his baby brother while Clara righted the blankets and pillows of the carriage. “Go ahead and lay him down, Grant. His head up under the cover to help block the glint of the lights.”

  “I’ll push,” Ezra insisted, taking hold of the carriage.

  She’d made sure to dress more conservatively. Instead of her beloved bright colors, she had gone with more muted tones, although she had used some bright yellow scarves to hold up her long hair. She looked, she suspected, like the nanny instead of the mate and wife. Perhaps it’d been why Ezra wanted to push the perambulator. Clara didn’t care, and neither should her mate. They knew the truth. Besides, only a fool would approach and make a silly comment to them.

  “Oh no, mate.” Clara eased him aside, grinning at him as she clutched the handle. “I’ll push. You’re to show Grant the sights and sounds of his father’s country of birth.”

  “My mother’s too!” Grant pipped up.

  She grinned at him, her heart swelling with love and pride for the young boy. “Yes. You’re correct.”

  “Come on, boy, let’s go.” Ezra scrubbed his son’s head, tossing his fixed hair.

  “Dad!” Grant tried to straighten out what his father had mussed. “Clara said I needed to be presentable.”

  “She meant with your clothes, young pup,” Ezra teased.

  Grant wore a pair of pressed breaches, a white shirt with suspenders, and even his shoes were shined. He’d taken to wearing to big old ratty jeans and old cotton shirts around the mansion. It reminded Clara of what the poorer boys in her home state of Louisiana wore daily. They had found out his choice of outfit was in fact a step up from what he had been required to wear while with the pack, which had consisted of a loin cloth.

  Clara smiled. “All three of my men look presentable today. Very gentlemanly.”

  “Ah, Clara. Don’t be calling us that. We’re wolves,” Grant whispered.

  “Now, son. That doesn’t mean we can’t be gentlemen when it’s required. Clara is only trying to teach you etiquette. Best to learn it now, before you find yourself a mate, and she puts you out of your home with a broom to your backside because you have no manners.”

  Clara laughed, and Grant settled as they strolled toward the fair. The street wasn’t the only thing packed. The sidewalks and the main entrance were overrun with people as they waited to buy their tickets.

  “It might be a good idea for us to explore the exhibits first before heading to the show,” Ezra said. “Grant, stay close to Clara and Seh. Wouldn’t be a good thing for you to get lost today.”

  The threats were always real to them, and the thought of Frazer coming to the fair to take his fill, had them all on edge. However, Clara had done this for Ezra. It was their time to relax. Let the authorities do their job. Besides, Frazer wouldn’t be dumb enough to show himself around all these people.

  “Just until we get through,” Clara promised.

  After they paid for their tickets, Clara led the group towards the American side of the fair. There the crowds were bigger. They passed the area where the latest Agricultural and Textile from the United States were being displayed. Then, to the side, a booth the size of a store front drew Clara’s attention. Two sets of poles were connected by long cables while a set of steel tracks, like those of the railroad, were placed underneath it. However, what surprised her most was the fact that the trolley car hovered. She pushed the carriage in the direction of the exhibit. A man wearing a smartly fitted suit along with a hat boasted about the wave of the future while gesturing to the car behind him.

  “See the hottest mode of transportation in the world. Wonder at its innovation. You there.” He pointed to Grant. “Wanna take a chance? See where the future lies, my boy. Take a ride on the Conveyer Car.”

  Grant turned to them. His eyes were wide with pleading. “Please, Mother? Please, Dad?”

  Clara deferred to Ezra. “It’s up to you.”

  Ezra stared at the trolley. His eyes narrowed in concentration. “It’s all a trick of the mind, right?”

  She laughed. “With all you see and know, are you going to believe that trolley car isn’t flying?”

  “Could be magnetic,” Jonah added.

  “Could be a mirror,” Emmitt said.

  “It’s a floating car,” Andres muttered. “If you don’t take Master Grant, I will.”

  “Fine,” Ezra said. “I’ll go with you.”

  He brushed a kiss across her temple then followed his child over to the floating trolley car. The man greeted them as they stepped forward, making sure to give special attention to Grant as he spoke. Annabelle stepped next to her as she watched them climb onto the rail car.

  “Quite interesting, isn’t it?” Annabelle glanced at Clara. “Men who are supernatural debating what could be real or fake.”

  Clara laughed. “It is interesting. I’d like to know their reasoning behind not believing.”

  “Always the practical ones.” Annabelle rolled her eyes. “Even when faced with the impractical.”

  “Didn’t realize how much I missed how Americans talk till just now,” Ezra remarked when the stopped at the first stall once they’d returned from the floating trolley.

  She spied the green and yellow tractor out of the corner of her eye. The man standing beside it spoke of the John Deere tractor, and its 15hp engine. Grant scrunched up his face, then looked between her and Ezra then back at the man.

  “Where are the horses?” Grant peered over the edge of the display.

  Ezra laughed. “Internal combustion, son.”

  Grant gasped. “You mean you have to feed it horses to make it run?”

  Clara giggled when they moved to the next stall. “Steam-powered engine, son.”

  “Oh.” He shrugged. “Still seems weird.”

  “Wave of the future, Master Grant,” Emmitt whispered.

  Grant seemed to ponder what Emmitt said as they made their way to the eatery tents. Hanging signs directed them to where they wanted to be. Since they were looking at the products from America, they started there. Grant partook of elixirs called Dr. Pepper and Coca-Cola. Neither were to her taste, as they were, in her opinion, overly sweet and tickled her nose, making her sneeze several times in a row.

  She enjoyed the samples of citrus fruit from California and Florida, but the Philadelphia Cream Cheese slathered on a piece of bagel was by far her favorite. So much so that both Grant and Ezra gave her theirs after a single bite.

  “I wonder how much our homes have changed since we left?” Clara wondered aloud as they perused the American brewery called Anheuser Busch. They made an American-style pale lager which they named Budweiser. Ezra was currently enjoying his and her portion as they watched people weave in and out of the stalls, eager for a taste of food or drink from the states.

  “I’d bet it’d be almost unrecognizable,” Ezra said after a hearty sip.

  “I miss it,” she replied, while fiddling with the thin blanket draped over Seh.

  He was such a good baby the entire time they walked around. His eyes were wide open as he took in all the sights and sounds of the fair.

  “We’ll go
back,” Ezra promised.

  “Not as long as we’re bound to Mr. Cause, we won’t. Besides, by the time we do get back, everyone we knew and loved would be long gone,” Clara stated. A wave of sadness washed over her. She missed the family she’d left behind so long ago. They’d never get a chance to meet her Ezra, Grant, or Seh.

  “None of that, my Creole Queen.” Ezra grasped her chin with his massive hand. “Today is supposed to be a day of fun.” He lowered his face to hers and gave her a kiss.

  Grant rejoined them, letting out a healthy burp after having gone back to the stall with the sweet brew for the third time. “Excuse me.” His cheeks were flushed with embarrassment and, Clara assumed, excitement brought on by too much sugar.

  “I think you’ve had enough,” Ezra said, before belching as he put the glass of beer down.

  “I think it’s enough for both of you,” Clara decreed. “We should make our way over to the Buffalo Bill show now. Soon it will be time for a certain little man to have his nightly snack and I don’t want him screaming during the show.”

  “Can I push the carriage for a bit, Clara?” Grant’s eyes sparkled as he grinned.

  “Of course.” Clara stepped back, allowing the boy the chance to push his younger sibling.

  “Slow and steady, Grant,” Ezra reminded him.

  Waiting until Grant was a safe distance in front of them, his focus on Seh. Clara placed her good hand on her mate’s forearm.

  “You did the right thing with Kellen, Ezra,” she said, making sure to keep her voice low so only Ezra heard her.

  Ezra stopped, and Clara turned to face him. His gaze flickered between Grant and hers. “You know?”

  “Yes. I scented it when you brought him in. It was barely noticeable.” She rushed to assure him.

  Pain and worry flickered through Ezra’s whiskey-colored eyes. “It’s gotten stronger.”

  “Barely. I suspect a young boy, such as Grant, hardly cares about scents and what he should or shouldn’t be looking for. He’ll thank you when he’s older.”

  “We won’t know till then, my Creole Queen. I could possible lose my son…our son…over a decision I made.”