They might as well come completely clean with him. He knew enough that if he was going to have her fired, he could do that. “Yes. I’m thinking of another approach that if it works should keep him safe from any other attacks from the public as well as Maynes.”
Katherine yawned and apologised as she wandered off sleepily to find food for breakfast.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Why are we here?” Victor asked. He wore a hat and a scarf, though it wasn’t really cold enough to be so bundled up. But it would help with people not recognising him.
“Don’t you trust Charles?” he accused her.
Rayne pushed open the door to the Times newspaper as she answered, “I trust Charles but we still have to deal with public opinion. Charles won’t be able to do anything if everyone thinks Maynes is squeaky clean and that you are the big bad evil dragon who kills his wife’s lover in a jealous rage.”
“Don’t you think you will be forcing his hand? I’ve had some experience trying to convince humans to do the right thing. It takes finesse. This is brash and probably foolish.”
“I’m untying his hands,” She insisted. Victor shrugged. She had carefully picked what she would share with the newspaper man, already aware of what her godfather would be able to do. This was more likely to get results than Charles. He had already admitted to her that because they both held equal positions that even with proof it would be difficult to bring him to justice. Maynes would most likely buy his way out of the charges and it would be reduced to a scandal.
The clacking of the press was loud but the newspaper man wasn’t in the press room. They made their way to the back and behind a door where it was much quieter.
They found him working with others to set the type. “Hey, Thomas.”
He spun and when he recognised her he motioned her to the back room where they could close the door and talk without having to yell over the top of the clacking of the press or overheard by his workers.
He wiggled his fingers at Victor and said, “A new chap. This guy a peeler as well?”
She motioned to Victor and he took off his hat and scarf. Thomas gasped as he recognised Victor. “I thought you were dead.”
Thomas repeated himself this time softer and to himself. He bounced from foot to foot as he grew excited about the story. He clapped his hands together and asked, “You came to me first, right? This is my present for being such a nice guy before or is it because your dear old daddy likes the paper?”
Her father had discerning tastes but it was clear that Thomas was the heart of this paper and if her father thought there was substance to the paper she would take that as an endorsement. Besides she had seen the passion Thomas had for his paper and he avoided sensational and inaccurate news.
He didn’t wait for her answer and turned to scramble for a piece of paper and ink. His hands fluid as he worked. He ran one hand through his hair too excited to keep still. “Tell it all. How did he do it? Some dragon magic? Is he going to go on another killing spree? Is he in breach of the treaty? Will the other dragons be coming after him?”
He moved things that kept rolling onto the paper. With a frustrated growl he swiped an arm across the surface and knocked off everything except the ink well and the page he was working on.
Thomas looked up at them when they didn’t answer. Victor looked at her. This was her idea so she was glad he wasn’t taking the lead. Besides he wasn’t so sure this was a good idea and had expressed that several times on their way here. She thought it was poetic justice that their problems would be solved by a newspaper. Especially after the trouble they had caused Victor with the news they had been reporting on from Maynes.
Angry at the situation she grabbed Victor’s hat and scarf. He gagged as she pulled on the scarf too fast. She placed them on the table now clear of everything but Thomas’ notes.
“Victor is innocent. He was framed by the head of the Scotland Yard, Maynes.”
Thomas’ mouth dropped and he went back to bouncing on his feet. “Even better. Tell it all. Spill.”
She told of how Maynes had framed the dragon because of a vendetta and that he had killed Eleanor and Sebastian.
She didn’t add in Sir Laurie as she didn’t have the evidence for that. She had only extrapolated from what she knew of the crime and his connections to the rest of the events. And she left Markim out as it would only confuse the issue.
It was enough to make Thomas giggle like a school girl as he jotted down notes. She didn’t tell him how she had rescued Victor, she let him think it was some power that Victor had managed, despite that his abilities would have been hindered by the collar.
They left without Thomas even realising she had kept things from him, as he danced around the back room his fingers twirling in the air as he came up with headlines for the article he would write.
Outside Victor returned to his cocooned version of himself by wrapping the scarf around the lower half of his face. Donning his hat he offered his hand. She hesitated.
He asked, “What do you fear?”
“That you will swallow me up whole.”
“You know dragons don’t do that anymore.”
She shook her head and took his hand. She wasn’t about to correct his misconception.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rayne sorted through the rest of Markim’s notes. Placing them into a trunk so they could take the very sensitive documents to the Yard where it could be kept safe. It would take months to contact everyone on the list and inform them of the demise of Markim and their new found freedom from the blackmailer. She wasn’t even sure if they were still paying him and the money collecting in some way. She would have to speak with Lady Beechworth to see if Markim had informed her yet on payment details.
She clicked the trunk closed and sat back on her heels. Victor offered his hand, so she could get to her feet. Once on her feet she dusted off her skirts. Victor ran his hands down her arms and lifted both her hands. He studied them both equally. “You know hands are important to dragons. It is how we marry.”
“Really?” She didn’t pull her hands back, despite where the conversation was going. She wasn’t ready for marriage and everything it entailed.
“If a dragon ever asks for your hands they are actually offering marriage.”
“On the spot just like that. No priest? And then bang they are married.” If the ton were aware of this they would be horrified. They loved the ceremony of life and weddings were a significant event. Usually with an elaborate breakfast and the best clothes. Her mother would insist on a new gown and probably one as revealing as the gold gown. Hopefully it wouldn’t be white like the Empress’ gown had been at her wedding. Her statement of a white gown had been important after the previous Emperor’s penchant for breaking every vow in his marriage but it wouldn’t sit right with her to where white. She couldn’t think of just holding hands being the complete marriage ceremony.
“Yes. We have had some misunderstandings amongst the dragons and humans. We’ve been told that we have to be clearer when offering.” His grin made her think he didn’t particularly care that there had been misunderstandings in the past.
She resisted the urge to take her hands back. She wasn’t ready for marriage though it wasn’t off the books completely like it used to be. Contemplating kissing him she leant forward a little. His eyes brightened with his own desire.
Rayne jumped back when Larkin entered the room accompanied by Charles. She flicked her skirts out in a nervous habit and muttered, “Sir.”
Charles motioned for her to take a seat as he took in the room. Victor hadn’t completed his reading of Markim’s notes in his journal and had that sitting on the arm of the chair. She didn’t think there was anything else about Maynes in there but she assumed Victor had been fascinated by some of the things he found about others in society. She worried about what he could find but she also couldn’t think of a reason why he shouldn’t read it that he would agree with. She just hoped he didn’t use anyth
ing in there for anything nefarious. But then she was talking about a dragon. He was always up to something.
She waved for Charles to take a seat but he shook his head, “I’m only here to share some news.” He didn’t sound pleased. But that wasn’t a clue about the news he was about to share. Arresting a fellow colleague would not be a time to rejoice for him. “Maynes is in the wind. He didn’t come in to work today. We sent people around to his house and it is deserted. There is some signs he has gone to the continent.”
Victor snorted and said, “If he is planning to avoid dragons that isn’t the best place to go. He should have headed towards the new world. There are very few dragons there.” But the continent was also more like England. Many of the people who went on the run did so to places that were familiar to them. Running to a place where you didn’t know the rules and the etiquette could be problematic. Besides there might be people that Maynes knew on the continent who might be able to help him.
It wasn’t a very satisfactory ending but it did mean they were safe. Charles added, “Also from what was printed today in the newspapers I don’t think he will be returning. Even if the dragons don’t find him on the continent. That is the end of this whole situation. So I expect you back at work on Monday, officer.” She bowed her head and Charles returned it before he spun on his heels and left.
Katherine asked, “That is good news isn’t it. You don’t have your name smeared because you had a fellow officer arrested. Charles doesn’t have to sit through trials and executions. This will be merely gossip and disappear the next time a new scandal appears in the ton.”
Rayne pursed her lips. She wasn’t so sure, but she wouldn’t voice that. Everett got to his feet and clapped his hands to help dispel some of the tension from the room, “Let’s head home. I don’t know about you but I’m tired of making my own food. I miss cakes.”
He didn’t wait for an answer before he headed out of the room to pack up their things. Katherine followed. Victor didn’t move from his place buried in journals written by Markim and instead asked, “Are you alright?”
“It isn’t neat.” She wasn’t sure what she expected to be the ending but this was not it.
“Life isn’t neat,” he reassured her with a soft voice. She shrugged and tugged on her skirts as she settled herself.
Victor changed the subject and asked, “Can I come to court you?”
She went still and asked, “I thought you already were.”
A grin split his face and he added, “I thought I should make sure you were keen before I continued to pursue you.”
“As long as you remember that I’m not going to give up my life in order to be your mate.”
“Part of what makes you unique is your work. To take that away from you would lesser your value.” She cringed at the thought of dragons and ownership.
She pointed a finger at him and said, “No talk about slavery.”
“It isn’t.” He gave her an innocent grin that told her he would certainly bring up marriage again.
She shook her head and left the room before she got angry at him for insisting that owning didn’t also mean slavery.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lady Ancaster called from the foyer, “Don’t forget we have that outing later.” Rayne still in her night gown nodded her head. She would start back at work the next day and Rayne had decided she would spend the day holed up in her own home where she had servants to make her meals and clean up.
It had been safe at Markim’s but it had hardly been homely. The house was quiet as her father had taken most of the younger ones to the museum. Lady Ancaster was using it as an excuse to do her own exploring and she was going to see the marbles. Too risqué to take children but titillating for herself. She had invited Rayne twice but she had turned her mother down. She couldn’t think of anything more awkward than to naked statues with her mother.
Rayne had barely turned after her mother had left when the door opened. Turning back she asked, “Did you forget something…”
Her heart went cold as Maynes pushed his way in. A flintlock aimed at her. She backed up. In her night gown she was hardly in a position to fight him off. She held up her hands, glad she had bothered to put on her mechanical hand over her gown to see off her mother.
“Easy there Maynes,” her voice low and reassuring. The last thing she wanted was for him to panic and shoot her by accident. Dead was dead, accidentally or on purpose made no difference.
His face twisted with anger. He stepped into her foyer, closing the door without taking his eyes off her. He growled out. “You ruined everything.” He motioned with his gun for her to go into the front parlour room.
Keeping her hands where he could see, she backed up into the parlour. He motioned for her to take a seat. She tried to calm him with some words. “We can talk. Try to work things out.”
“There is nothing to work out. I have a plan.” That worried her. Even when he had been panicked and killing in the moment he had managed to point the murder towards Victor. With him in control and planning he could be very dangerous.
Her knees backed up to the couch and she flopped down. She hadn’t wanted to move her hands to catch herself in case he took that to mean she was making a move for a weapon. Not that there was a weapon in the well-appointed room. Her mother might have taught her how to shoot but displaying weapons in the parlour was against her aesthetic. Rayne raised an eyebrow in silent query before she laid her hands in her lap. Maynes glanced over his shoulder.
She asked, “Are you waiting for someone? My family is out for the time being.” And she was grateful for that. If her work ever hurt one of her family it would kill her inside.
“The dragon should be arriving soon,” Maynes announced.
“He isn’t coming over today. We have a date later this week.” She hoped he wasn’t to arrive but Maynes appeared too smug for it to be a lie.
“I invited him. This wouldn’t work without him.” He smirked and that worried her more. He was never a smug man. He must have something planned. Rayne knew she had to keep him talking but watching the end of the flintlock wasn’t very comforting.
“I have to ask, Maynes. Why did you have to kill Sir Laurie?”
He snorted. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. You are going to be dead soon.”
“He didn’t realise that wench was a fraud. I found him drunk at home. He was supposed to be organising funding for my next position.”
“Position?” Confused as she didn’t realise he would aim for something higher than commander in chief at the Yard.
“Oh, you didn’t know? I was going to go into politics. Once again the dragon gets in the way. I would have been governor last time if he hadn’t brought in that law to help workers in factories. I lost a fortune and I could no longer fund my bid for governor. I finally got my feet under me and this happens.”
He waved the gun but he realised he was getting emphatic and clicked his tongue. “Clever girl. But I’m set on my course.”
He glanced over his shoulder at the knock at the door. He pulled out another gun and called out, “Come in.” The door slammed open. Victor rushed in and came to a standstill at the sight of the guns.
He growled deep in his throat, “I’m going to kill you Maynes if you have hurt her.”
“I’m fine,” She called out. He looked past Maynes and took an involuntary step towards her before he remembered Maynes and his guns.
Maynes motioned with one of his guns for Victor to move. “Over there. Perfect,” he announced when Victor started to move.
Victor got half way across the room before Maynes motioned for him to stop. Anger sparked in Victor’s eyes but he stopped in his tracks. Maynes could now keep an eye on both of them. Both guns aimed at their chests.
Victor asked, “What is your plan, Maynes? Kill us both? No one is going to believe that.”
“But they will. You killed your first wife. Why wouldn’t they believed that you killed your second?”
; “She has no brands. She isn’t my wife,” Victor insisted.
“Neither did Eleanor when she died.” Maynes was still very smug. His plans were successful so far. Here he had both of them at his mercy.
Victor growled, “She did when she left the house. Was it you who she renounced me to?”
“She did tell me that you were a bore. Is that all it takes to get rid of someone like you?” Maynes snorted at the thought. Victor’s face was dark but he didn’t lay on insults. Rayne was glad he was keeping Maynes talking. But making him angry wasn’t the best way to get out of this situation.
“At least let me say goodbye,” Victor said in a defeated voice.
Maynes acquiesced but added sharply, “Quickly.”
Victor stepped closer to her and said, “Take my hands.”
“No.” She knew what he meant to do by taking her hands, it was their ceremony for marriage. The consent of two individuals to be together. And she wasn’t ready for that. But she also knew it would give him extra abilities to protect her. Maybe even be able to take her from the room like he had done when he had left the ball.
He gave her a significant look and said, “Then take mine.” He was offering himself to her rather than the other way. She wasn’t any more pleased with this turn of events. People shouldn’t own others.
She hesitated. She knew why he wanted to do it. There things dragons could do if you were in their collection. Maynes got testy and hissed, “I don’t have all day. There is a schooner waiting for me and I will not miss it because you two love birds have some cryptic goodbye to enact.”
Victor gave her a significant look. She said, “I’m going to undo this as soon as I can.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She took the hands he offered.
When nothing happened straight away she asked, “Victor?”
“Wait. I hear it takes time and commitment if there is a limb missing.” Her heart dropped. Because she had a metal hand instead of a real hand there was a chance this magic of dragons wouldn’t work. Or was it because she didn’t really want to be married.
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