“Do you know about the convict plan?” Lizzie asked. When Claire hushed her, the girl protested, “Well, she knows everything else—she ought to know the whole.”
“Convict plan?” Gloria repeated. “What do you mean?”
“Your dad plans to help the Minister of Justice with his shortage of convicts by capturing the ships transporting them to the Antipodes, and bringing them here,” Lizzie said.
“Lizzie, really,” Claire sighed. “Poor Gloria has quite enough to deal with already, don’t you think?”
“It’s all right,” Gloria said, her prettily coifed head drooping. “I didn’t know the details, but I knew he was up to something. All the undersea dirigibles that have been plying the Mediterranean have for some reason been ordered en masse into the Adriatic. It’s as if they’re waiting for orders. Pigeons are flying back and forth with messages—most of which I’ve managed to read while he was busy elsewhere.”
“How many vessels?” Ian asked.
“Half a dozen, I would say. A few are the large transatlantic ones, and the rest are smaller ones that don’t have that kind of staying power for long voyages.”
“Manned and crewed?”
“Oh, yes. Each has a crew of nearly fifty, and the big ones well over two hundred.”
“Like a private navy,” Maggie murmured. “Just like before.”
“He has no shortage of men wanting to serve,” Gloria told them. “He must pay very well, though I don’t know how. I’ve seen the accounts.”
“But this is not getting Jake out of gaol,” Alice said, clearly impatient with a discussion of Gerald Meriwether-Astor’s resources. “Now that we know exactly what we are up against, what are we going to do?”
17
“Captain Chalmers is quite right,” Ian Hollys said. “We must act. I have been considering a number of strategies, but I must caution you once again that each of them holds its dangers.”
“Not as many dangers as Jake is facing,” Lizzie pointed out.
“On the contrary,” Ian told her. “The ultimate price any of us will pay if we do not succeed is to join him. Mr. Malvern, Lady Claire tasked you with the invention of a device that might aid us. Have you made any progress?”
“I had, in fact.” Andrew opened a drawer in the sideboard where one might expect to find linens, and withdrew instead a large sheet of engineering paper. “Maggie’s adventures in the English Channel gave me the idea. I had thought that, instead of constructing a rudimentary chaloupe manned by one or two people, one might devise a helmet of a similar shape to fit over the head, so that one might breathe. With a few modifications to the rocket rucksacks in Athena’s emergency equipment, one could swim to Jake’s assistance.”
Claire saw the flaw in this otherwise brilliant plan at once. “But—”
Andrew nodded sadly. “But the kraken put paid to that idea. Even if we were able somehow to swim undetected to Jake’s location on the gearworks, we could not assist him to freedom. The kraken seem to be attracted to movement near the surface. I have no doubt that the Minister of Justice’s ‘training’ includes this unnatural behavior, for surely kraken prefer to hunt in the depths, where they have cover.”
“Wretched, cruel man,” Lizzie muttered. “Those poor creatures.”
“Quite so,” Ian said. “Mr. Malvern, have you an alternate plan?”
“Not that I have conceived in the hour since our return from the tour, no.”
“Then I am convinced that military strategies must prevail, if those of science have failed us,” Ian said.
“Now, wait just a moment—” Andrew began.
“They have not failed,” Claire said in Andrew’s defense, with no little indignation.
“What military strategies, Captain?” Tigg inquired, his deepening voice having the effect of a bell in an enclosed tower. “How do you suggest that we proceed?”
“Simply this—that we go to the Master of Prisons and propose an exchange. How much was the transfer tax, Captain Chalmers?”
“Half the value of the cargo. So, about three hundred pounds.”
“Good. I am sure I am worth three hundred pounds, so it ought to be convincing.”
“I beg your pardon?” Claire exclaimed. “You cannot mean to exchange yourself? What good would that possibly do?”
“Captain, I don’t understand,” Tigg said. “We’d just be trying to figure out how to spring you, not Jake.”
“Let me explain,” the captain said, the corners of his lips curled in amusement at their consternation. “I propose we strike a deal: myself and the certainty of ransom money from the family in exchange for Jake’s freedom. This way the corrupt government saves face—they let Jake go quietly, and I am a guest of the state until the money is just as quietly delivered. Her Majesty is not involved, since neither politics nor commercial interests come into it. Here in the Levant, ransom is a business not only lucrative, but socially acceptable. I am a gentleman, whom they would not dare to imprison below the water. There must be some accommodation for those in the upper echelons of society who have offended the government.”
They had best revisit the chaloupe idea, for this was ridiculous.
“Then,” Ian went on, “at the moment of the exchange, Tigg exercises the—er—” He glanced at Gloria, who was struggling with her horror, too, at this mad idea. “—the orders he has from his commander. We take Jake and make a quick escape. Mission accomplished.”
“I would lay better odds on the kraken,” Andrew said bluntly.
“Your odds would play out as well as others’ have before you, as we saw this morning,” Ian said just as bluntly. “I do not see that we have an option.”
“And if anything goes wrong, we lose you and Jake both, and likely Tigg as well,” Alice pointed out. “No, we must think of something else.”
“There is nothing else, because if there were, the minds in this room would have put it forward,” Ian told her. “No, we must play on their greed and exercise subterfuge.”
“And if you are wrong, and they treat a gentleman no better than the canaille—the riff-raff that loiter on the banks of the canals?” Gloria asked. “What then?”
“Then I shall endure as best I can until the ransom is paid by the Dunsmuirs,” Ian said.
He could not be serious. Claire would sooner see him married to—to Catherine Montrose than allow such a crack-brained scheme. “Ian, you seem to be placing a great deal of faith in the rules of gentlemanly behavior,” she said in as calm a tone as she could muster. “But I have not seen much evidence that the rules in the society we have been exposed to are the same as they might be at home. Not,” she said modestly, “that I know so much of what goes on among gentlemen. But I do not believe that—”
“Claire, forgive me for saying so, but you are quite right. You do not know what goes on among gentlemen. Trust me when I say that you must leave Jake’s rescue to me. I have seen much of this world and I have a fairly accurate estimation of what it takes to get the job done successfully.”
If he had struck her, she would have been no less surprised—and hurt. She stared at him, speechless with the affront not only to her intelligence and experience, but to their friendship as well.
She did not miss the way Lizzie’s and Maggie’s eyes widened. They would expect her to deal him a set-down he would not soon forget … but she could not. Any disagreements among them could only harm, not help, Jake’s chances. So she bit back the icy words on her tongue.
“You will need reinforcements,” Alice said. “My Remington is in my room, and I brought extra bullets for just this kind of situation.”
“I will indeed need reinforcements, but with your permission, Captain, not from you.”
“I beg your pardon?” Alice’s voice rose in just the way Claire’s might have a moment ago had she allowed herself to speak.
“You have forgotten that there is a price on your head,” Ian reminded her. “You have taken enough risks. One glimpse of you by anyone con
nected with Jake’s incarceration and your days above the water are ended, too. No, I will take only two with me—Lieutenant Terwilliger and Mr. Malvern.”
“Impossible,” Claire burst out. “You cannot—”
“Claire,” Andrew said gently, “he is right. It is far too dangerous. This is no task for ladies.”
“It is no task for any person with an ounce of sense or integrity!” she cried. They planned a bait and switch—and the murder of any witnesses. Surely it need not come to that, if the plan were managed properly. “You will need scouts—lookouts—we must all assist in order to reduce the danger.”
“On the contrary, Lady, if you’ll forgive me,” Tigg said. “With fewer men we attract less notice.”
“To say nothing of the need to protect you,” Ian added.
“I can protect myself!” Had he learned nothing during their adventures in the Canadas? Had he not seen the proof of his own eyes that some women, at least, had every advantage in intellect and resources that men possessed? How dared he cut herself, Alice, and the girls out of an opportunity to assist one of their own simply on the basis of their sex?
“I am sure you can, in any circumstances but these,” Ian replied, which did not exactly pour cool water on the fire of her temper. “However, the four of you are needed on another front. Once we have Jake secured, we must depart these skies with all possible speed. Your task will be to have Athena ready to lift on a moment’s notice.”
“Oh, thank you very much,” Claire said waspishly.
“What about the Stalwart Lass?” Alice wanted to know. “Once I have my navigator safely returned to me, I can’t leave without my ship.”
“There’s a task for us,” Gloria said brightly, as if cheering on a horse at the races. “We can steal your ship back. I can help—it will be just like helping you get away at the Firstwater Mine.”
Claire and Alice both stared at her, ready to leap like cats on this betrayal of their arguments. And then Claire saw something in Gloria’s face that she had never seen before. It was excitement—and hope—and once again, the longing of someone outside the circle for the warmth and camaraderie within.
To be a part of something, no matter the risk.
Gloria had proven to be an able ally once before. And if she displeased her father by her actions, well, she appeared well able to bear up under the burden. Gloria might not know it, but she had an ace up her sleeve. And Claire would bet her stock in the Zeppelin Airship Works that she would throw in her hand with them when Claire told her what had been simmering in her mind for some minutes now.
This would be a high-stakes game for ladies only … since the gentlemen so bullheadedly insisted.
*
Alice found herself stricken silent with shock when Claire took a sip of her cooling tea and said, “Very well, Ian. You must do as you think best. We will assist you in any way we can, and if that means being ready to pull up ropes, then that is what we will do.”
It was almost funny, the way the menfolk goggled at her. Clearly they’d expected her to put up a fight, and when she didn’t, all the gas was sucked out of their balloon.
Claire raised her gaze over the rim of the teacup to meet Gloria’s. “Are you familiar with the area where Alice’s ship is impounded?”
“No,” Gloria admitted, as though there had been no silence and they were simply carrying on with the discussion. “But I know it’s on the island they call the Lido. It’s a long, skinny sandbar out in the lagoon that forms a barrier between the city and the open ocean. Bathers are allowed on the landward part of it, but the rest is fenced off.”
“Ah,” Maggie said with satisfaction. “I have always wanted to sea-bathe in the Adriatic. Especially in October.”
“As have I,” Lizzie agreed. “Claude, what about you?”
“Never fancied it,” he said, then, when Lizzie’s elbow met his ribs, blurted, “but I suppose there’s a first time for everything.”
“Excellent.” Claire beamed at them. “Except I am sorry to disappoint you. You three will ready Athena for lift while Gloria, Alice and I manage the Stalwart Lass—and the sea-bathing.”
“But Lady, that’s not fair,” Lizzie protested. “You’re the captain of Athena. Anybody can steal a ship. It doesn’t have to be you.”
Alice could see Lizzie’s point of view to a point. But she could also see the value of the youngest members of their party staying somewhere safe while everybody else risked their lives on one front or another.
“That is precisely why I must go,” Claire said pleasantly. “I have experience in stealing ships. You have experience in disabling them—which is highly useful in many situations, but not, I am afraid, in this one.”
Her brows drawn down in displeasure, Lizzie subsided … but only until, Alice was quite sure, she could sneak up on an argument from another angle.
“When have you stolen a ship, Claire?” Gloria leaned forward with interest, pouring herself another cup of tea.
Mr. Malvern’s brows rose, and the Mopsies looked at each other. Maggie stifled a giggle—but only just.
“I stole Athena from your father,” Claire said with no shame whatsoever. “Or at least, from the Meriwether-Astor Munitions Works, when she was a cargo ship running illegal arms into the Canadas. I do hope you do not mind?”
Gloria paused, as though it took her a moment to digest this information, then waved away the idea as though it were a fly. “Think nothing of it. I have no illusions about him, believe me. If I knew how to fly, I’d steal one myself and head for Edmonton or somewhere, just to get away. I’m glad she’s filling a useful purpose now—or at the very least, an honest one.”
“Right, then.” Captain Hollys clapped his hands upon his knees and rose. “We need to make preparations, and send a message to the Master of Prisons. I must also send a pigeon to John and Davina apprising them of our plans, so that they do not become anxious when the ransom demand arrives. Lieutenant, Mr. Malvern, if you are ready, we must begin.”
“I should like a moment alone with my fiancée, Captain,” Andrew said.
“And I with Elizabeth,” Tigg added, whereupon Lizzie blushed scarlet—stood—and sat down again in a fluster.
“Very well,” Ian said. “I will meet you in the lobby of the hotel in half an hour.”
In the ensuing bustle, Alice took the opportunity to slip out the door and follow the captain down the corridor. “Captain Hollys, if you please,” she said as he stepped inside his room.
He held the door as she slipped in ahead of him. “This is most irregular, Alice. What if someone should see you?”
“I’ve been seen in worse places,” she said bluntly. “Ian, please don’t do this.”
“I am afraid it is already decided.”
“But you don’t know—” She stopped. What was she thinking of? A feminine glance exchanged over a teacup … a discussion of sea-bathing. These were not exactly the kinds of proofs that would make a man change his mind. Not a man who was authorized by Her Majesty to use deadly force.
“What don’t I know?” he prodded. “I do not have much time, Alice. I must see to my arms and send that message.”
“Claire is up to something,” she said desperately. “More than simply stealing my ship back. Don’t do this. Talk to her. She’s only taking the bit in her teeth because you were high-handed with her. You need to work together, not against one another.”
“I understood we were working together. It is a good plan. And it will work, I promise you, if we all do our part.”
“That may be, but meanwhile—”
“Alice.” He was standing very close, so close that Alice was forced to tilt up her chin in order to look him in the eyes. They were the color of a storm at altitude—gray and powerful. “Why this sudden anxiety?”
“I—I don’t like the two of you at odds, that’s all.”
“We are not at odds. I am relieved at her willingness to see sense and cooperate.”
“But that’s
just it. She isn’t. She’s faking it.”
“Lady Claire?” He chuckled, and in the sound was a hint of bitterness. “Believe me, if ever a woman was brutally honest and open, it is she. No, I am fixed in my purpose … sure of her cooperation … and touched by your concern.”
“But—”
He took her by the shoulders and gave her a gentle push out the door. “I will send a message both to Athena and here to the hotel when we have a meeting time and place. Be ready to lift by sunset.”
“Ian, please—”
“It will be all right,” he said. “Thank you for coming to me. It was the act of a true friend.”
So swiftly that she hardly believed it had happened, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. And the door closed, leaving her standing in the corridor, her fingers touching the place where his lips had been.
18
“You must not allow them to continue on this fool’s errand,” Claire said urgently. Andrew stood with her in the turning of the staircase, where three windows arched in the Moorish fashion looked out upon the Giudecca Canal and its busy boat traffic. She gripped his hands with a strength that seemed half pleading, half preventing his departure. “I cannot believe that a culture so blasé about the despicable practice of ransom has not already experienced every possible double cross, and will take all of them into account.”
“That may be true,” Andrew said, “but we will be alert and ready for them.” What else could he say, when those beloved gray eyes held such anxiety?
“Please, Andrew,” she begged. “I believe there is another way—one that will incorporate your breathing globes without attracting the attention of the kraken.”
“Claire, dearest, believe me, I have applied every spare ounce of brain power to that problem, and come up with nothing. Our resources are simply too limited in this foreign place to come up with a better plan.”
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