Frostbitten Fairy Tales

by Melanie Karsak

  “Lizzie and I were both married. We married twin brothers,” she said with a laugh.

  “Did you?”

  “And had many happy years. Sadly, they died within a year of one another. Influenza. I miss him still. Love of my life. Now it’s just Lizzie and me.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Life is precious and fleeting,” she said with a sigh.

  I patted her gently on the shoulder then picked up my outdoor wraps. I slipped on my cape, fastening it at the neck. As I pulled it on, I grinned at the little gnomes. “Now, remember my request,” I said, tapping the clockwork gnome playfully on the nose. “And I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

  “My father will be here soon. I’ll try to come in the morning to wish you Happy Christmas Eve, at least,” I told Laura.

  “Don’t worry about us, my dear. Just be with your family,” Laura said.

  “Dear Laura, you are like family after all these months.”

  Laura patted my cheek.

  I joined Archie who was slipping a wrapped package into his pocket.

  “Shopping?” I asked him.

  He nodded, pointing to one of the wind-up ducks on the shelf. It was a simple toy. One merely wound up the mechanism inside and the duck would move about the room on the rollers underneath. “A Christmas gift for Grandfather. He’ll love it.”

  I chuckled. Master Archibald Boatswain was the greatest mind, the greatest tinker, the world had ever seen. And his grandson had bought him a wind-up duck for Christmas.

  “Goodbye, Lizzie. Goodbye, Laura,” I called, then Archie and I headed back outside. He offered his arm to me, and we made our way back to Strawberry Hill.

  “Will you return to London when you father comes?” Archie asked.

  I nodded. “At least for a time.”

  “Grandfather and I will also be in London for the winter. There are some happenings with the London Tinkers Society, and Grandfather wants to take part. Are you a member?”

  “Of the London Tinker’s Society? Goodness, no. My father travels with the Artisans Guild. I haven’t spent much time with the tinkers.”

  “You should join. I… I could escort you to the meetings.”

  “But I’m no tinker.”

  Archie laughed. “Scarlette, your mind comes by it naturally. I don’t think you realize what you’ve done. Imagine what you could tinker with a little training.”

  “No. Not me. I’m not really adept in any one thing. I like art, mechanics, history, philosophy, folklore. I’m eclectic.”

  “Hmm,” Archie considered. “A diverse mind is an excellent thing.”

  I realized then that Archie was concocting a way to meet with me in London, and I had very foolishly dissuaded him.

  “But you’re right. I should join. I’ll ask father. As you said, who knows what I could invent. Automaton street sweepers, perhaps.”

  Archie chuckled. “Now you have it!”

  We entered the forest. At once, my eyes went toward the merchant camp. Much to my surprise, it was gone. And not only that, but Mistress Quickly was tromping through the woods from the direction where the tents had once been.

  “Master Boatswain, Miss Rossetti,” she called.

  I couldn’t help but notice her slip her dagger back into her belt.

  “Mistress Quickly,” Archie said. He removed his top hat and tipped it toward her.

  “I was tracking down your merchants, Miss Rossetti,” Mistress Quickly said.

  “Their tents used to be just there,” I said, pointing. “They seem to be gone now.”

  “Seem,” Mistress Quickly said, gazing as she looked toward the former site of the camp.

  “Any sign of them?” Archie asked.

  Mistress Quickly frowned. “Hard to say. I’m headed into town for a look around. Miss Rossetti, please let me know if you see them again.”

  “I will.”

  At that, Mistress Quickly nodded then headed off in the direction of town.

  “I know what I want. I want her job,” I said. “Isn’t she some sort of constable?”

  “Private security is the best way to put it. Your mind is curious about everything, Scarlette.”

  “Isn’t yours?”

  He laughed. “Perhaps, but my range is limited.”

  “Limited to genius.”

  He grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”

  I smiled up at him, gazing into his light green eyes. “I do.”

  To my surprise, a flash of red colored his cheeks. “Thank you.”

  We crossed the lawn, returning to Strawberry Hill once more. When we entered the house, we found everything very still, very quiet.

  “They are in the library,” Mister Edwards said. “Closed door. No servants,” he added, giving me a perplexed look.

  Not understanding myself, I shook my head.

  “Your grandfather inquired about you, Master Boatswain,” Mister Edwards told Archie.

  “Ah, that means I’m late,” Archie said.

  “Sorry,” I said, then motioned to him that we should go.

  Hurrying down the hall, we quickly found ourselves at the library. Archibald opened the door, and the pair of us slipped inside.

  “Master Montgomery is right. We must expand our council and form an active force to patrol the realm, London in particular. Building on the established tradition of this order, this force will marshal this land,” said Lady Wiloby, an elderly matriarch who had a business in the north of England that had something to do with rail carts.

  “A separate order from ourselves. Controlled by us but not necessarily associated,” Master Montgomery said. “Mistress Quickly can begin the preliminary training and ordering of this division, and King George has already promised Archibald he would support the endeavor.”

  “A named force,” Master Donne agreed, nodding stoically. “To give legitimacy. A public face for our private work.

  “How about the Red Capes?” Uncle Horace said then motioned to the back of the room where Archibald and I were standing.

  Everyone turned and looked at me.

  I was, in fact, still wearing my red cloak. Mister Edwards, so befuddled by the servants’ exclusion to the meeting, had forgotten to take mine and Archie’s wraps. And I’d been in such a hurry to get Archie to his grandfather that I’d forgotten too.

  The room fell silent.

  “I…I should go,” I stammered, fully realizing this was no social gathering. This was some sort of meeting. They were talking about the king.

  To my great relief, those gathered there—and there were several newcomers in the crowd—smiled warmly at me. Several people in attendance chuckled.

  “Red Capes,” Master Montgomery said. “I rather like that. Thank you for the idea, Miss Rossetti, but I believe we’ll see you again at dinner,” he said with a wink.

  I nodded, cast Uncle Horace a sheepish and apologetic glance, then backed toward the door.

  “I’ll see you soon,” Archie whispered to me.

  I nodded, and with a smile, closed the door behind me.

  With the door shut, I was unable to hear the conversation. Uncle Horace spoke once more, followed by Master Boatswain, but I couldn’t make out their words.

  All my life I knew that Uncle Horace and Father were involved in something, but what? Something that concerned the king? And the leading artists and tinkers in our land? What in the world?

  Suddenly feeling like I’d been left out of something exciting, I headed back to my room feeling out of sorts. If this business in which my family was involved was of such a serious nature that the king was aware of it, then it was no wonder I was kept in the dark. After all, Uncle Horace thought I was off buying dolls and gallivanting about town all day long. No wonder he didn’t consider me high-minded enough to be let in on any secrets.

  But Archie did.

  Archie saw something in me.

  I pulled off my outdoor wraps, grabbed my journal, and settled into the window seat. I hated feeling like someth
ing was happening just under my nose. But as I thought back, I realized it had always been like this. There had always been unusual people floating about, secret documents, and clandestine rendezvous. I just thought it was normal. Aren’t all artists, thinkers, and investors always a bit odd?

  Maybe.

  But maybe there was more to it than that.

  Sighing, I leaned back into my seat. Light snow began to fall. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. My father would come to Strawberry Hill. And then what? Back to London? Back to parties, teas, and social calls? No, thank you. The truth was, I loved working for Laura and Lizzie. I enjoyed puzzling out problems and keeping my hands busy. I loved reading the strange books in Uncle Horace’s library. Whatever was going on, I wanted to know more. I wanted to know.

  I reluctantly kept myself busy until a maid came to help me change for dinner. Selecting an emerald green gown and brushing my hair up into a bun, I primped for the event. I returned to the parlor once more. To my surprise, the place was busier than ever. At least a dozen more people had arrived.

  Archie met me at the door.

  “Scarlette,” he said, offering his arm to me. “Come, I want you to meet someone.”

  I hooked my arm with his, bidding my cheeks not to redden at his touch.

  “Master Hawking,” he said, approaching a handsome young man with a mirthful laugh.

  “Ah, Archie,” the man said, clapping Archibald on the shoulder. “There you are. And who is this?”

  “This is Miss Scarlette Rossetti. Miss Rossetti, may I introduce Master Arthur Hawking and his wife, Violet,” Archie said, motioning to the dark-haired woman beside him.

  Master Hawking, much like Master Boatswain, was a renowned inventor. In fact, if I remembered correctly, Master and Missus Hawking worked with airships.

  “Pleased to meet you,” I said, dropping into a curtsey.

  Missus Hawking smiled nicely. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Rossetti. I’m an admirer of your father’s work. Is he here?”

  “No, Missus Hawking. He’ll arrive in the morning.”

  “Good, good,” Master Hawking said. “Well, it looks like Old Horace will have a full house by Christmas.”

  “So many minds,” Violet said, scanning around the room.

  “And one new, brilliant mind to add to our company,” Archie added, motioning to me.

  “Oh, indeed, indeed. Master Boatswain spoke of your invention at our gathering,” Master Hawking said. “However did you master such intricate devices, Miss Rossetti?”

  “It was nothing, really. I studied an advertisement.”

  At that, both Arthur and Violet Hawking laughed.

  “She is most definitely one of us,” Violet said.

  “One of you?” I asked.

  “A thinker,” Violet answered, tapping her head.

  “And a tinker,” Arthur added with a merry chuckle.

  I smiled at Missus Hawking. She had such wide, beautiful brown eyes, and she exuded wisdom. It filled me with pride that someone like her could see something in a slip of a girl like me.

  Mister Edwards rang the bell, calling us all for dinner.

  We headed inside. Tonight, I was seated by Archie.

  We settled in to eat a sumptuous feast of roasted pheasant, quail, beef, truffles, roasted root vegetables in rich sauce, and more. The table was heaped with food, and there were now more than three dozen in our party. I recognized many of the people from the meeting earlier today, including Mistress Quickly who sat beside Master Montgomery. The pair spoke in low tones.

  “I’m sorry if you felt awkward earlier today,” Archie told me.

  “I did, but only because I stumbled into something a bit above my head, I believe.”

  “Yes and no. As Master Rossetti’s daughter and Earl Walpole’s niece, it only fits you have a place in the discussion and take part in our…group. It is for your uncle and father to decide of course, but my grandfather suggested it to the other members.”

  I cast a glance down the table at Master Boatswain who was sitting beside my uncle. The pair were locked in deep conversation.

  “And?”

  “Well,” Archie said with a grin. “My grandfather’s word has considerable weight.”

  “I suppose I would know better what to think if I knew what, exactly, this group concerned itself with.”

  Archie pulled off the pin he wore on his lapel and handed it to me. “The care of this realm, and stewardship of her future.”

  “Weighty, but less than specific,” I said with a grin.

  “You’re right.”

  “I’m guessing you can’t tell me more.”

  “Sadly.”

  “Then I suppose I will have to be settled for now. If all else fails, at least I know I have a position waiting for me in the village at the Two Sisters.”

  Archie chuckled. “Miss Lizzie sang your praises. They both did.”

  “That was kind of them.”

  “And true. I’d love for you to come work with me on a project when we return to London.”

  “What kind of project?”

  “Well, a version of your mechanical device…but life-sized.”

  “Life-sized? A true automaton?”

  Archie nodded.

  “I must ask my father, but I don’t see why he’d oppose.”

  Archie nodded happily. “Then let’s have a toast, Miss Rossetti,” he said, lifting his cup.

  “And what are we toasting?”

  “Hmm,” Archie mused. “Gnomes. To clockwork gnomes. And to the future.”

  I chuckled. “To clockwork gnomes and the future,” I said, clicking my cup against his.

  Filled with merry conversation, the evening passed quickly. The group lingered at dinner. I was surprised when the grandfather clock chimed ten. I yawned tiredly. I had been awake since before dawn. It was starting to catch up with me.

  “My grandfather…” Archie whispered. “I need to take him upstairs. It’s far too late for him, though the others look like they’ll be at it for hours. You look like you could use some sleep as well. I’ll see you in the morning?”

  I nodded and rose. “Goodnight, Archie.”

  “Goodnight, Scarlette.”

  Archie discreetly took my hand, gave it a soft squeeze, then left me. I worked my way through the room until I found Uncle Horace.

  “Uncle,” I said, catching him between conversation partners, “I’ll retire for the night.”

  “Goodness, Scarlette. I’ve quite neglected you today, I’m afraid. But I see you found a conversation partner,” he added, looking back at Archie.

  “So I have.”

  “Well done,” Uncle Horace whispered. “Well done, my girl. Now, go and get your rest. We’ll see your father here tomorrow.”

  “I can’t wait! Goodnight, Uncle,” I said, kissing him on the cheek then slipping back upstairs once more.

  My heart beating merrily, I removed the lovely gown and slipped into a nightdress. I slid into bed, closing my eyes for the night, happy thoughts of Archie and my future dancing through my mind. But as I drifted off to sleep, the wind rattled my window. And I could swear, for just a moment, I heard a voice amongst the flurries calling, “Come buy. Come buy.”

  Chapter 7: What to my Wondering Eyes Should Appear?

  I woke the next morning just as the sun was rising. I dashed out of bed and quickly began to get ready for the day. This would be the last morning I could visit Lizzie and Laura at the shop. I wanted to get there the moment they opened. It was cold that morning. I went to the window to discover it had snowed overnight. The grounds surrounding Strawberry Hill were covered in a thick blanket of snow. The sunrise cast a pinkish glow on the powdery flakes making them shimmer with rosy, incandescent light.

  Pulling on my boots, I rushed downstairs only to find Mister Edwards waiting in the foyer, my red cloak in his hand.

  “Miss Rossetti,” he said softly as he held out my wrap. “The maid brought your cloak downstairs. I warmed it by the fire for y
ou so it would be ready for you.”

  “Have I become so predictable?”

  He chuckled. “Yes. Do keep in mind your father will be here by tea time.”

  I grinned at Mister Edwards. “No one will miss me before then.”

  “Save young Master Boatswain,” he said with a wink.

  “Well, I suppose it is good to be missed at times.”

  “Yes, indeed. Be careful, Miss Rossetti. There is a heavy chill in the air this morning.”

  “Thank you,” I said then pulled my cloak around me and headed out the door.

  The icy winter air snatched my breath away when I stepped outside. I headed down the drive, surprised to find the snow was halfway up my shins. I was suddenly very glad Laura and Lizzie lived in town. It was too cold for them to be out in weather like this.

  Rushing, I made my way down the lane and into the woods. But I slowed as I went, surprised to see the merchant tents had been erected in the woods once more. Everything was tranquil, but a trail of smoke rose up from their fire. I didn’t know where the merchants had gone, but clearly, they were back.

  I remembered Mistress Quickly’s words, how she had said it seemed the merchants had left.

  Indeed, seemed was the right word, for here they were once more.

  Frowning, I rushed down the path and back into town. Thankfully, there was no sign of the merchants. Even Twickenham was quiet. It was still very early, the lamplighters just putting out the lights, the shop owners inside the small shops just beginning to move about as the day started.

  When I arrived at Laura and Lizzie’s shop, I realized I’d beaten them there. Well, it wouldn’t hurt anything to go inside and get the stove fired up. Maybe I could even get a little work done. Moving aside the sign, I pulled out the key and unlocked the door.

  The door opened with a merry jingle. I pulled off my cloak and hung it on the peg at the front. I went to the little fire at the side of the room and began to bank up the coals. I stirred them with the poker then laid logs inside the stove. Blowing on the embers, I had the flames crackling in no time. I rose and stood, my hands outstretched, warming them by the fire.

  From the back of the shop, deep in the workshop, I heard a music box chime a strange, discordant note. But it wasn’t just any music box. It was the doll pianist. Now, why was she chiming?